NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Audi Q8. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Driving down the road when sensors stopped working. Car read electrical system malfunction and engine shut down. Had to coast to the shoulder. This is a known safety issue, and should be completely recalled.
The contact owns a 2019 Audi Q8. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V516000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
November 18, 2022 a warning lamp of electric system problem was displayed. There is no local Audi dealer and I decided to take the vehicle to my local automotive repair shop that does non warranty repair on Audis. I drove approximately 6-8 miles after the light came on and was one half mile from the service technicians when within 300 yards the vehicle became sequentially inoperable. First power steering, then transmission, brakes , ended with engine failure. I was in rush hour traffic and unable to steer off the road so I was blocking traffic near an intersection. My flashers and power windows were all that functioned. The doors were locked. When the tow truck arrived he let me out of the car. I was not injured and the vehicle was not hit either. The vehicle was transported to Audi Beaverton Oregon and now 3 1/2 months later is still there because there are no available starter/generator units available in this country. That unit failed and was the cause for my Audi’s complete shutdown. This was a potentially very dangerous situation and needs to be reported for a recall campaign. I have read that there are thousands of similar failures of the starter/generator systems in the USA and no available parts. I still have no estimate from my Audi Beaverton dealer/sevice supervisor as to when I can expect to get my car repaired and returned to me. They have not provided a loaner vehicle and refuse to cover the full cost of a rental car. I am disappointed in Audi’s level of customer service and communication.
An "Electrical System Malfunction" warning, check engine light and the battery light came on. Was informed to notify service. Few hours later multiple system failure started to appear. Dashboard went dark and I was unable to tell the speed of the vehicle. The window rolled down on it is own. After coming to a stop the vehicle was unable to start again. Dealer informed me the "affected parts" are being ordered. No further updates were available.
alternator failed, multiple electrical/ computer systems shut down, eventually left me stranded.
48v Starter Generator went bad. Vehicle shut down on the high way. I have been without my car for nearly a month as the part is on back order, and there is no ETA for the part.
Rear middle light (brake) bar that attaches to the rear trunk cracks repeatedly. Has been replaced twice by Audi Indianapolis under warranty. Third middle brake light has curing issue with plastic that causes light to crack on its own. Part has been sent back to Audi for inspection on the first replacement ; however, even the second replacement has now begun to crack. In time this will affect the middle brake light from functioning. 2019 Audi Q8 current mileage ~7000 miles.
I was driving yesterday on a highway and the car completely shut down. Got stranded in the left lane with 4 kids in the car - could have been killed. I had previously brought the car into the dealer for a fuel pump related issue. Apparently there is a recall but they don't even have the part to fix it.
1.STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION: sudden loss of steering control increases risk of crashing. Steering wheel now feels more loose. Issue is listed under recalls for 2019 Audi Q8 SUV's. Yellow warning light (triangle with exclamation point), Loud " dinging" alert. Appeared 10/13/2022. 2. CENTRAL LOCK MALFUNCTION: randomly unable to lock or secure vehicle. Vehicle & belongings open to public theft & damage. Central lock malfunction message appears on dash. Appeared 10/12/2022.
Alternator / Generator issue causing car to electrical malfunction.
In September 2022, I contacted the dealership to schedule my 50k service after observing a yellow battery light indicator flash on and then resolve itself by turning off. The mileage on my Q8 was approximately 44K at this time. I was also experiencing a passenger seatbelt warning issue despite no one in the passenger seat. The soonest the Audi service department could get me scheduled was on February 14, 2023. This has been an issue with Audi service departments at least the past 2 years. Since scheduling, I've experienced the warning issues several times On Thursday, February 2, 2023, I got a flashing yellow battery light in addition to other warnings that flashed on and then off. Because of this, I decided to take my car to the dealership for an emergency service on Friday, February 3, 2023, before traveling out of town the next week. While enroute to the dealership, the instrument panel alerted to an electrical system malfunction by displaying a yellow and then red battery icon. Multiple other warning lights for other systems malfunctioning displayed and the car stopped in traffic. My car was towed to the dealership. Once at the dealer, I was told that this was due to the generator failing and the part is on backorder due to being manufactured in Ukraine. The dealership stated this failure is apparently widespread, citing 56+ cars at this dealership and 100+ at the other with the same issue. Based upon this, the dealership informed me I qualified for the Audi USA buyback program and to contact them for a case number. When I called, I was told I had to wait 10 days to file or have had 3 reported incidents on record. On Februrary 14, 2023, I was told I did not qualify because my car was over 50k at the time it broke down. My mileage is 54,128. The issue began before 50k. I learned from the dealership, I qualify for the buyback because Audi extended the factory warranty on 1/31/2023 to include unlimited miles. I have an audio recording.
The contact owns a 2019 Audi Q8. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V516000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and then stopping at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that he restarted the vehicle several times however, the failure recurred several times. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 36,700. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
System malfunction warning appeared. 5 miles after the warning the car stopped working. Stirring is unresponsive.
I purchased a used 2019 Audi Q8 Prestige Plus, with Sportline Pkg on 9/7/21. Car had approx. 18,500 miles. The car attempts to shut off when deaccelerating at any speed below 3000 rpm. There is also a significant throttle delay between the time you push the gas pedal and when the engine responds. To be clear the car is in Dynamic mode and the Start/Stop mode is deactivated. It appears that under certain conditions the car is trying to determine if it should shut down or continue running. The Audi 37M6 update has been performed on my car which was supposed to correct the problem. The Audi Knoxville Shop Foreman drove the car and experienced the problem, contacted Audi Technical Assistance center (case# HS-822562) and was told that the car had the latest software correction. The Shop Foreman wanted to erase the transmission clutch adaptations to see if the car could relearn the shift process but was advised by Audi Technical Assistance not to erase the transmission clutch adaptations and would not allow the Shop Foreman access to the car software in an effort to diagnose the problem. Note: there was a class action lawsuit in May 2020 for this problem that was dismissed because the car manual states the car can experience a delay when restarting from the Start/Stop mode. However, my issue occurs when the Start/Stop system is turned off. There is no continuous throttle response below 3000 rpm with the Start/Stop system turned off. I was given a 2021 Q7 with a 2.0 as a loaner car while my Q8 was in service and I did not experience any of the issues I have with my Q8. I was advised by my dealership to also write a letter to Audi USA as the dealership acknowledges there is a major problem and they want to try fix the issue but will not be given access to the car software to troubleshoot the issue. This is a dangerous problem.
The auto start/stop feature of this vehicle is horrible, on several occasions I've almost gotten into an accident turning at an intersection. The engine loses power for 2-3 seconds despite pushing the gas pedal all the way down. I've also scared pedestrians at cross walks on several occasions when the vehicle is at a full stop but then suddenly lunges forward at them. The sensors on this vehicle are also very faulty. The ones that are supposed to open the rear hatch do not work despite me waving my feet and hands under them for several seconds at a time. The key fob also doesn't open the rear hatch like it's supposed to. And the sensors to detect objects around the perimeter go off all the time without any apparent reason. I've had the vehicle in for multiple service visits and none of these issues have been resolved.
The spare tire is stored deflated and must be inflated for use. The factory tire pump overloads the circuit and blows a fuse. For all practical purposes, my vehicle was shipped without a spare tire which is a significant safety and security issue. This failure has occurred twice during roadside emergencies (loss of tire pressure). My dealer technician confirmed and recreated the circuit overload but offered no 'fix'. There are reports in online forums of similar experiences and the 'fix' appears to be replacement of the factory tire pump. My dealer has not been cooperative / timely with this proposed 'fix'.
The contact owns a 2019 Audi Q8. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a central locking malfunction warning sign was displayed. The contact stated that later when a rear passenger attempted to exit the vehicle, the door failed to open. The driver’s and passenger’s side rear doors failed to open. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a failure related to Technical Service Bulletin: DTC B14FF29. The vehicle was repaired under Warranty. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer under Warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that it was a known failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to have the vehicle diagnosed before any assistance would be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 9,800.
The contact owns a 2019 Audi Q8. The contact stated that while attempting to exit the vehicle by pulling the interior door handles, the doors would not immediately open. The failure had occurred on the front driver and passenger side doors along with the rear passenger door. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 16,000.
I'M VERY UPSET WITH NHTSA AND AUDI. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA ON 10/22/20 AND THE COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 11365744. AGAIN AS STATED IN MY COMPLAINT THIS IS AN ACTUAL SAFETY ISSUE. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. WELL IT TURNS OUT THAT THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE MINE. IT ALSO TURNS OUT THAT AUDI HAS A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THE FIX IS A SOFTWARE UPDATE 37M6. I'M GLAD THE ISSUE HAS BEEN FIXED ON MY VEHICLE BUT THE REAL ISSUE IS THAT NHTSA AND AUDI ARE AWARE OF THIS FIX BUT BOTH OF THESE ENTITIES ARE NOT REQUIRING THE FIX TO BE MADE VIA A GOV'T ISSUED RECALL. AUDI CALLS THIS FIX A "CAMPAIGN". AUDI IS AVOIDING THE STANDARD PRACTICES OF NHTSA BY REFERRING TO THIS PROBLEM AND FIX AS A CAMPAIGN WHICH IS OUTSIDE OF THE NORMAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND SAFETY RECALL PROCESS. HAS NO ONE AT NHTSA OR AUDI LEARNED THE LESSONS OF THE GM DEBACLE WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS COVER UP BY NHTSA/DOT AND AUDI IS A COMPLETE AN UTTER DISGRACE. TO ALLOW AUDI TO OPERATE OUTSIDE OF THE NHTSA SYSTEM IS A COMPLETE FAILURE. NHTSA NEEDS TO MANDATE AUDI ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL ASAP!
OUR A8 HAS ISSUES WITH LAG TIME WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR A SLOW SPEED OF LESS THEN 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO STOP RUNNING PRIOR TO A FULL STOP AND IF THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED NOTHING HAPPENS FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LEAVES US AT RISK OF BEING INJURED OR KILLED. THIS ISSUE STARTED JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS GOTTEN CONTINUALLY WORSE. WE HAVE ALSO ENCOUNTERED THIS ISSUE EVEN AFTER A FULL STOP AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A FULL STOP. IT HAS EVEN HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DELAY IN ACCELERATION IS VERY DISCONCERTING AND DANGEROUS TO SAY THE LEAST.*DT*JB
AFTER MOST RECENT SOFTWARE UPDATE, THE BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE OR DISPLAYS A BLACK SCREEN. THE BACKUP CAMERA PREVIOUSLY WORKED FINE. OTHER TIMES, IT WILL DISPLAY THE FRONT FACING CAMERA INSTEAD OF THE REAR CAMERA DESPITE BEING IN REVERSE.
EVERY TIME IT RAINS THE TECHNOLOGY SENSORS MALFUNCTION EX: THE BLIND SPOT, LANE CHANGE ASSIST, INTERSECTION ASSIST, AUDI PRE SENSE, AND REAR CROSS-TRAFFIC ASSIST. ALSO THE CENTER CONSOLE HAS BLACKED OUT OF A FEW OCCASION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE AND MOVING. AND OVERTIME I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN FOR REPAIR AND SHOWED THE VIDEO, THEY STATE THE DIAGNOSTIC DOES NOT PICK UP ANY ERRORS AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS PERFORMING PROPERLY DESPITE THE VIDEOS I HAVE PROVIDED. THE FINAL RESULT IS ALWAYS THEY HAVE PERFORMED A SOFTWARE UPDATE!
I LEASED THIS 2019 AUDI Q8 IN DECEMBER 2018 FROM MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER AND IT HAS HAD SO MANY TECHNICAL ISSUES FROM THE START. I'VE HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE ISSUES 5 OR 6 TIMES. IT KEPT SHOWING THE OIL SYMBOL AND SAID THERE WAS TOO MUCH OIL AND WAS CHECKED AND THEY SAID IT WAS JUST A COMPUTER ISSUE. THEN THEY REPLACED A PART AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN NOT LONG AFTER. THEY THEN CLAIM THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS FAULTY. SINCE THE BEGINNING, IT HAS HAD ISSUES ACCELERATING WHEN IT IS IN THE ENERGY SAVING MODE, WHICH IS DEFAULT AND YOU HAVE TO DISABLE IT EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU USE THE CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LINE HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WHEN SERVICED, THEY CLAIM IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT AUDI IS WORKING ON A COMPUTER FIX TO THIS PROBLEM. NOW THE "DRIVE SYSTEM: MALFUNCTION! PLEASE CONTACT SERVICE" LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATING AS IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (PICTURE ATTACHED). THIS IS BY FAR THE MOST EXPENSIVE CAR I HAVE EVER HAD AND IT HAS HAD MORE ISSUES THAN ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE HAD. I'M NOW VERY CONCERNED THAT I AM PUTTING MYSELF AT RISK FOR DRIVING THIS CAR.
WHEN DRIVING IN ANY STANDARD DRIVING MODE, WHEN YOU START TO COME TO A STOP WITH AUTO S/S ENABLED (E.G. SLOW DOWN) TO LESS THAN 6MPH, THEN ACCELERATE AGAIN, THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE LAG FOR THE VEHICLE TO START ACCELERATING AGAIN (ABOUT 1-2 SECONDS). THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS WHEN THERE IS CROSS TRAFFIC AS THE VEHICLE OFTEN DRIFTS INTO THE INTERSECTION AND YOU CAN'T QUICKLY ACCELERATE AWAY. HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS AND THE ISSUE IS EASILY REPLICABLE ON ANY 2019 Q8.
AUTO START/STOP IS SO LAGGY WHEN RE'STARTING THE ENGINE, ESPECIALLY AT LARGE CROSSINGS W HEAVY TRAFFIC OR ROUNDABOUTS. I HAD ALMOST 5 ACCIDENTS IN THE PAST YEAR BECAUSE YOU ANTICIPATE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND FROM EXPERIENCE YOU KNOW YOU CAN EASILY TURN OR GO, AND THEN YOU JUST ROLL A BIT AND THERE IS NOTHING HAPPENING AND YOU HAVE NO CHANCE TO DO ANYTHING.
THROTTLE LAG FROM A NEAR (BUT NOT FULL) STOP. IF COMING TO ROLLING STOP, FROM 1-8 MPH, AND THEN HIT ACCELERATOR, THE CAR ENGINE REVS BUT NO ACCELERATION TO VEHICLE. AFTER A 2-3 SECOND DELAY, CAR WILL LUNGE AND ACCELERATE NORMALLY. SCARY WHEN NEED TO ACCELERATE FROM A NEAR ROLLING STOP. LEFT HAND TURNS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. EXPLAINED ISSUE TO DEALER, AND Q8 CAR FORUMS HAVE SAME ISSUE. DEALER SAYS FUNCTIONING "NORMAL", WHICH I DISAGREE IT IS NOT. I HAVE TRIED ALL SETTINGS FOR START/STOP, TRANSMISSION SETTINGS, ETC., AND NOTHING FULLY ALLEVIATES THE PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT EPISODIC AND A CONSISTENT, REPRODUCIBLE DANGEROUS ISSUE.
AUTO START/STOP IS TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY STOPPED. IF YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY TO CLEAR AN INTERSECTION, IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS FOR IT TO START BACK UP AND MOVE THE VEHICLE. LIKE MOST PEOPLE DO, THE THROTTLE GETS PRESSED HARDER IN THE HOPES OF THE VEHICLE MOVING. BY THE TIME THE VEHICLE STARTS BACK UP I'M 3/4 TO THE FLOOR WITH THE THROTTLE WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO TAKE OFF LIKE A ROCKET. THIS IS OVERLY AGGRESSIVE START STOP IS DANGEROUS. IT SHOULD OPERATE LIKE OTHER SYSTEMS AND NOT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE UNTIL IT IS AT A COMPLETE STOP. I HAVE TAKEN MY CONCERNS TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THAT IT IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED.
THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LAG IN THE POWER TRAIN OF THE AUDI Q8 AFTER BREAKING TO A COASTING SPEED AND THEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. THE GAS PEDAL IS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE FOR 2-3 SECONDS DURING THIS TIME. DANGEROUS DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE DUE TO AUTO START/STOP OR MILD-HYBRYD SYSTEMS AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO COAST WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT A YIELD SIGN OR INTERSECTION ETC BEFORE TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGES. THE VEHICLE IS POWERLESS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS DESPITE APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL, CAUSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO POTENTIAL COLLIDE. ALREADY REPORTED TO AUDI SERVICE BUT THEY SAID IT'S NORMAL, WHICH I TOTALLY DISAGREE
SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THROTTLE DELAY FROM DEAD STOP TO GET GOING; DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE; AUDI CLAIMS THEY DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS - MULTIPLE PAST COMPLAINTS. I WOULD NOT PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED. IT WILL KILL SOMEONE. *TR
WHEN START/STOP SYSTEM IS ENABLED, THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHEN COASTING TO A STOP. IF YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE IT TAKES 2-3 SECONDS FOR THE CAR TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON LEFT HAND YIELD TURNS WHERE THERE IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED BY TURNING OFF THE START/STOP SYSTEMS OR PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO SPORT MODE WHICH WILL AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF THE START/STOP SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THE CAR DOES NOT REMEMBER YOUR SETTING WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. SO EVERYTIME YOU START THE VEHICLE YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER TO TURN OFF THE START/STOP SYSTEMS. AUDI DEALER ASKNOWLDEGED THE ISSUE AND PERFORMED UPDATE, BUT THE ISSUE STILL PERSISTS.
THE CAR WILL UNPREDICTABLY LOSE ALL POWER FOR 2-3 SECONDS. THIS HAS MORE THAN ONCE NEARLY CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT!!!!!!! THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT UNABLE OR REFUSING TO FIX IT. PLEASE SAVE LIVES TODAY AND RECALL THE CAR.
WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP THE CAR EXHIBITS A 3-4 SECOND DELAY BEFORE ACCELERATING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC OR WHEN NEEDING TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE AWAY FROM A HAZARD. IT ALSO CREATES TRAFFIC BACKUPS BY DELAYING LIGHT CHANGES FOR VEHICLE BEHIND. THE VEHICLE AS IT CURRENTLY PERFORMS IS A SAFETY RISK.
AUTO START/STOP FEATURE KILLS ENGINE PRIOR TO VEHICLE BEING COMPLETELY STOPPED RESULTING IN THE DRIVER NOT APPLYING ENOUGH BRAKE "FORCE" TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STATIONARY AFTER THE ENGINE'S RE-IGNITION. WHEN THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY STARTS, THE THE VEHICLE IS JERKED FORWARD AND THE DRIVER NEEDS TO RE-APPLY ADDITIONAL BRAKE FORCE TO THE PEDAL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STATIONARY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE DRIVER IS MISLEAD TO HAVE "COMPLETE CONTROL" OF THE VEHICLE WHEN BRINING IT STATIONARY THE FIRST TIME, THEN SUBSEQUENTLY HAVING TO RELY ON "QUICK REFLEXES" TO COUNTERACT VEHICLE BEHAVIOR TO AVOID COLLISION (FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU, OR FROM INTERSECTING TRAFFIC). AUDIO DEALERSHIP PERFORMED SEARCH OF OPEN CAMPAIGNS & RECALLS. NONE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR THIS MODEL. SERVICE CENTER PAPERWORK INDICATES "COULD NOT REPLICATE CUSTOMERS CONCERN", BUT I WAS PROVIDED EXTENSIVE TRAINING ON HOW TO 'DISENGAGE' THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE (IF THERE'S NO PROBLEM, WHY DISENGAGE IT?). AUDI CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE (1-800-822-2834) IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE AND RELIES ON THEIR SERVICE CENTERS TO HAVE THE FINAL WORD IN VEHICLE ISSUE RESOLUTION.
THE VEHICLES AUTO START/STOP FEATURE PUTS THE DRIVER IN COMPROMISING SITUATIONS WHEN POWER IS DEMANDED FROM THE ACCELERATOR AFTER AN ENGINE POWER-DOWN. THE ENGINE DOES IGNITE TIMELY, (AS SOON AS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED) BUT THE DELIVERY OF MOVING POWER IS DELAYED (LAG PERIOD) FOLLOWING AN AUTO "SHUT-OFF AND LEAVES THE VEHICLE IN COMPROMISING SITUATIONS WHERE NO POWER CAN BE DEMANDED FROM THE DRIVETRAIN. WHEN THIS DELAY PERIOD (LAG) HAS PASSED, AND POWER IS FINALLY TRANSFERRED TO THE WHEELS, THE VEHICLE EXPELS THE DEMANDED ENERGY FORCEFULLY, JERKING YOU FORWARD. I FIND THIS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN PARTICULARLY FOR LEFT HAND (YIELD) TURNS WHERE ACCELERATOR RESPONSIVENESS IS CRITICAL BOTH THE PASSENGERS OF THE VEHICLE AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AUDI DEALERSHIP CHECKED OPEN CAMPAIGNS, RECALLS BUT "CANNOT REPLICATE" CUSTOMERS CONCERN. THEY DID HOWEVER, TRAIN ME ON HOW TO "DISENGAGE" THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE, BUT THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE AT EVERY STARTUP. (IF THERE IS NO PROBLEM, WHY DISENGAGE IT?) AUDI EXPERIENCE CENTER (1-800-822-2834) SAYS THEY RELY ON THE JUDGMENT OF THEIR SERVICE CENTERS AND CANNOT PROVIDE FURTHER GUIDANCE. *TR
THIS VEHICLE AS A SERIOUS INTERMITTENT ISSUE WITH THROTTLE LAG. WHEN PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOTS IF YOU DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE THROTTLE SEEMS TO LAG 1-3 SECONDS. THEN IT SURGES FORWARD WHEN IT FINALLY DOES MOVE. AS OTHERS HAVE SAID IT DOES NOT HAPPEN 100% OF THE TIME WHICH MAKES IT EVEN WORSE. YOU NEVER KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO GO OR WAIT A SECOND OR TWO BEFORE IT MOVES. BEING IN SPORT MODE DOES HELP BUT WHO CAN REMEMBER TO ENGAGE THAT EVERY TIME YOU START THE CAR. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I REFUSE TO LET MY DAUGHTER DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I'VE DISCUSSED IT WITH THE DEALER BUT THEY HAVE NO FIX OR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE ISSUE.
VEHICLE WILL HAVE A DELAY (1-3 SECONDS) WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL WHILE THE CAR IS IDLE, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND LEAVING THE VEHICLE VULNERABLE TO CROSS TRAFFIC, AS IT ROLLS FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. VEHICLE THEN JOLTS FORWARD AS IT FINALLY ENGAGES. HAS CONTINUOUSLY HAPPENED SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE REPORTED IT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO OUR DEALERSHIP, YET THEY BASICALLY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO OR GIVE US THE RUN AROUND. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO TURN OFF THE AUTO STOP FEATURE, WHICH SEEMED TO WORK AT FIRST, BUT NOW THE VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEM, EVEN WITH THE AUTO STOP DISABLED. THINK IT HAS TO DO SOMETHING WITH THEIR NEW MILD-HYBRID SYSTEM. IT IS NOT WORKING THE WAY IT WAS INTENDED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER BEFORE BEFORE A SERIOUS INJURY OCCURS.
TERRIBLE HESITATION AT STOP SIGN LEADING TO CLOSE CALL. CAR WILL NOT START OFF WITHOUT HESITATION OF 2 OR 3 SECONDS LEAVING DRIVER WITH NO CONTROL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS. SEE GOOGLE COMENTS ABOUT 'Q8 PROBLEMS'
THE VEHICLE HAS MAJOR THROTTLE LAG FROM A STOP STATE OF THE CAR, IF YOU ARE NOT AWARE, THE VEHICLE WILL LAG ON ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN JERK FORWARD AT FULL SPEED WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION. THE TURBOS TAKE TOO LONG TO SEND POWER TO THE WHEELS AND RESULT IS SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, Q8 WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN GAS PEDAL APPLIED FOR ROUGHLY 1-3 SECONDS WHEN COASTING TO A STOP OR IMMEDIATELY COMING OUT OF A STOP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN STATIONARY ALTHOUGH GAS PEDAL IS APPLIED. ONCE THE VEHICLE RESPONDS TO THE DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR, AFTER A DELAY, THEN THE AUTO CAN ACCELERATE BEYOND THE REQUESTED ACCELERATION. IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO RESPOND TO THE DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR, LEAVING THE VEHICLE VULNERABLE IF TRYING TO CROSS TRAFFIC, ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN, OR TURN LEFT BETWEEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE PROBLEM FEELS INTERMITTENT ALTHOUGH IT FEELS LIKE ITS BECOMING MORE COMMON. VEHICLE RESPONDS THIS WAY WHETHER OR NOT THE AUTO STOP FEATURE IS ENGAGED OR NOT.
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS VEHICLE ENTERS AN INTERSECTION OR CROSS TRAFFIC WHILE STARTING A TURN AND ACCELERATION LAGS FOR A 1-3 SECONDS. WHEN APPLYING MORE AND MORE GAS PEDAL, IT EVENTUALLY WILL ENGAGE ALMOST CATAPULTING YOU. HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO GETTING HIT IN THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LACK OF ANY RESPONSE FOR ACCELERATION. CLEARLY THERE IS A MECHANICAL FLAW IN THE WAY THE VEHICLE OPERATES AND IT LEAVES THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AT GREAT RISK OF INJURY BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE WAY. SEEMS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT DOWNSHIFTING TO FIRST GEAR AND BY STAYING IN 3RD GEAR OR MORE, IT CAN NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATION. IT DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT FAST ENOUGH TO ALLEVIATE THE LAG. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM BY THE DRIVERS OF THIS VEHICLE BUT NO MANUFACTURER RECOGNITION OF THE SAFETY HAZARD; OBVIOUSLY TRYING TO AVOID LIABILITY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED (IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY).
AS REPORTED BY OTHERS, IF THE CAR DOES NOT QUITE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND ONE ACCELERATES, THERE IS A SEVERAL SECOND DELAY AS THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BOG DOWN. THIS IS RELATED TO THE AUTO STOP/START SYSTEM AS THIS DELAY DOES NOT HAPPEN IF THE AUTO START STOP IS DISABLED.
THERE IS A HUGE (SEVERAL SECONDS) AND DANGEROUS LAG WHEN THE CAR SLOWS DOWN TO THE POINT THE START/STOP SYSTEM KICKS IN (AND STOPS THE ENGINE) AND ACCELERATION IS IMMEDIATELY NEEDED (E.G. THE CARD DOES NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP.) IN THAT SITUATION, PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR WILL RESULT IN THE ENGINE STARTING AGAIN IMMEDIATELY (AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO) BUT THE CARD WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL NO EFFECT FOR UP TO 3 SECONDS AND THEN IT WILL SUDDENLY START MOVING TOO FAST WITH A JOLT (DEPENDING ON HOW HARD YOU WERE PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR) THIS SITUATION HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY (DAILY FOR ME), INCLUDING IN THE CONTEXT OF LEFT TURNS WHERE CARS ARE COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, MAKING IT A SEVERE SECURITY ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT CAUSED BY TURBO LAG. IT IS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY THE SOFTWARE FAILING TO DOWNSHIFT BECAUSE IT BELIEVES THE CAR IS COASTING. THIS ISSUE IS NOT ISOLATED AND HAS BEEN REPORTED BY PLENTY OF OTHER AUDI Q8 USERS. THERE IS A LONG THREAD ONLINE DISCUSSING IT: HTTPS://WWW.AUDIWORLD.COM/FORUMS/AUDI-Q8-227/INTRO-AUTO-START-MAJOR-THROTTLE-LAG-ISSUE-2966888/PAGE2/
SEATBELT APPARATUS AND SEAT DETACHED DURING REAR END MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH.
THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LAG IN THE POWER TRAIN OF THE Q8 AFTER BREAKING TO A COASTING SPEED AND THEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. THE GAS PEDAL IS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE FOR 3-4 SECONDS DURING THIS TIME. THIS POSES A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD IN SITUATIONS WHERE YOU ARE COASTING WITH THE EXPECTATION TO CROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE IN COMFORT MODE. SIMPLY APPLY THE BREAK IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN WITHOUT COMPLETELY STOPPING. WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE, THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOTHING. AFTER THE LAG PERIOD, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM IF I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN PROCEED. I RAISED THIS AS A CONCERN TO MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE ARE NO SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. MY SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED TO THE LATEST VERSION DURING A RECENT SERVICE APPOINTMENT, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.
DANGEROUS LAG/PAUSE IN THROTTLE RESPONSE WHEN ACCELERATION IS NEEDED. WHEN COMING TO A ROLLING OR ALMOST COMPLETE STOP, THE AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM IS ENABLED. IF I GO TO TURN/ACCELERATE THERE CAN BE SEVERAL SECONDS OF TIME LAG BETWEEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR AND ANY THROTTLE RESPONSE. IT IS DANGEROUS AT TIMES WHEN PULLING ONTO A STREET AND THE CAR WILL NOT RESPOND AFTER A FEW SECONDS. ADDITIONAL THROTTLE PRESSURE DOES NOT INDUCE A THROTTLE RESPONSE, AND SUDDENLY THE CAR WILL SURGE AHEAD. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND AND SEEMS RELATED TO TRANSMISSION PROGRAMMING WHEN THE AUTO STOP/START SYSTEM IS ENGAGED, WHICH IT IS BY DEFAULT. THE DEALER SAYS THE CAR IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING CROSS-TRAFFIC LEFT TURNS BECAUSE OF THE UNPREDICTABLE DELAY. THE DATE NOTED BELOW IS JUST TODAY'S DATE, SINCE THIS SITUATION MAY (AND DOES) OCCUR)ANYTIME UNDER THE SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES/CONDITIONS.
THE CAR HAS A SEVERAL SECOND DELAY WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL IN THE ENGINE IDLE AUTO ON/OFF FEATURE. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY RECALLS OR FIXES TO THIS PROBLEM. DEALER HAS NO FIX FOR PROBLEM.
MY GORGEOUS NEW AUDI Q8 HAS A DANGEROUS HESITATION ISSUE WHEN ACCELERATION FROM A FULL START WITH AUTO START/STOP ENABLED. THE ISSUE IS DESCRIBED THOROUGHLY IN THE ARTICLE @ HTTPS://TECHCRUNCH.COM/2019/06/10/REVIEW-THE-STUNNING-2019-AUDI-Q8-HAS-A-DEAL-BREAKING-FLAW/. ACCELERATOR RESPONSE IS VERY INCONSISTENT SUCH THAT YOU CAN'T COUNT ON THE CAR ACCELERATING IN A CONSISTENT MANNER. IT EITHER HESITATES OR SURGES FORWARD. TURNING AUTO START/STOP DOES IMPROVE PERFORMANCE, BUT ONE MUST REMEMBER TO TURN IT OFF EVERY TIME YOU START THE VEHICLE. I GOT MY Q8 2 MONTHS AGO. I TRIED TO LEARN HOW TO PREDICT ACCELERATION FROM A STANDSTILL, BUT GAVE UP AFTER ALMOST GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT WHILE CHANGING LANES AROUND A CAR AT A RED LIGHT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAYS AUDI HAS NOT ISSUED ANY SERVICE BULLETINS TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT HAPPENING AT THE TIME OF THIS TEST DRIVE.
EXCESSIVE AND DANGEROUS DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE DUE TO AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM CAUSING VEHICLE TO COAST WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT A YIELD SIGN OR INTERSECTION ETC BEFORE TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGES. THE VEHICLE IS POWERLESS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS DESPITE APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL, CAUSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO POTENTIAL COLLIDE WITH "STALLED" Q8. THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN DEFECT IN THE AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM AND OCCURS EVERY TIME THE SYSTEM IS ACTIVE.
START/STOP SYSTEM HAS NEARLY CAUSED TWO MAJOR ACCIDENTS FOR ME. TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION WITH APPROACHING TRAFFIC AND PLENTY OF TIME UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES TO PROCEED......PUSH ACCELERATOR AND 2 TO 3 SECOND HESITATION (TURBO LAG). CAR DOES NOT MOVE. THERE IS NO WAY TO PERMANENTLY DISABLE THIS DEFECTIVE SYSTEM IN THE AUDI Q8.
THERE IS A NOTICEABLE THROTTLE LAG (HESITATION) WHEN THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE IS ENABLED, AND THE CAR COMES OUT OF A ROLLING STOP (EX. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN). DISABLING THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE OR SELECTING SPORT MODE NEGATES THE ISSUE.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026