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Audi Q8Model year report

2021 Audi Q8 Problems

Compared with other Audi Q8 years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2020

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
30filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
8,600miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid AWD · 18 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Audi Q8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2021 Audi Q8. The part named most often is electrical system, with 13 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine (6) and fuel system (6). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 8,600 miles. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 1,332 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 454 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 56 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 Audi Q8 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Seat belts (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “When driving, my car had several red and yellow warning lights that came one - one for electrical system, the other for Vehicle starting malfunction and another was a battery sign. The vehicle also had delays starting. I was fearful the car would stop while driving (hopefully not on a highway or busy road) or I would be stranded somewhere because the vehicle would not start”

NHTSA complaint #11546114, filed 2023-09

Engine: “I was driving my car would not accelerate on the highway and it almost caused me to get into an accident with my niece in the car. When I took the car to Audi this is what I was told my the service adviser. “Good afternoon. The technician has been looking into the vehicle and has found the cause of the issue. He has found the coolant water pump has failed internally causing coolant to leak internally into the vacuum system. This is causing the vacuum to be blocked for the turbo and thus causing the sluggish feeling when accelerating. …”

NHTSA complaint #11741357, filed 2026-06

Fuel system: “At approximately 52,000 miles, on August 11,2026 (or earlier), my vehicle developed a coolant leak that was traced to a failed coolant shut off valve. The coolant shut-off valve failure allowed coolant to migrate into the vacuum harness, vacuum reservoir which contaminated the water pump. This resulted in the vacuum system becoming filled with coolant, compromising components that rely on vacuum pressure to function correctly. …”

NHTSA complaint #11757601, filed 2026-08

Transmission and drivetrain: “Audi Q8 failed water pump leading to severe loss of power and a major safety issue. I was merging on a very busy highway when I had loss of power with my children in the vehicle. This was alarming as I was not able to accelerate as anticipated and had no warning/notice that this was going to occur, and others around me did not know what was going on as well. This is a known complaint and issue in these vehicles and a major safety issue. Audi should stand behind their quality and it is dissapointing costly repair that shouldn’t be needed at 50 k (right outside of warranty). …”

NHTSA complaint #11714623, filed 2026-01

Mileage when problems were reported

80% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,500 and 17,000 miles.

60%0–1020%10–250%25–5020%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 8,600 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2021202220237202420252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Audi Q8. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Q8 · SUV AWD★★★★★4 / 5554 · 15.8% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Audi Q8 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Q8 AWD3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid8-speed automatic182320$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 2021 Audi Q8 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,332 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,332 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi Q8

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202423—5586 MPGe—Too new
20237—2—20—Too new
2021308,600752050 · TypicalRising
20202826,500351829 · FewerRising
20191104,000551988 · MoreStable

All Audi Q8 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Audi Q8 have?

NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2021 Audi Q8 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Audi Q8 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 13 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine with 6.

Has the 2021 Audi Q8 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Audi Q8 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Audi Q8 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Audi Q8 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Audi Q8 (Q8, 3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Audi Q8 reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 8,600 miles and the middle half falls between 3,500 and 17,000 miles; 80% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.