Audi is known for making sturdy vehicles and the Q8 takes a spot in the luxury midsize SUV segment. With the J.D.Power rating at 3.5 on 5, the car can be considered a reliable pick. This is further supported by the fact that the brand was able to sell over 14K units of the SUV, which is a drastic increase from the 2k sales volume from its debut year in 2018. Despite the market accepting the Q8 well, it faces some flaws as NHTSA registers a total of 45 complaints and 3 recalls against the SUV. The Audi Q8 also faces pressure from its rivals like the BMW X6, the Mercedes Benz GLE-Class, and the Land Rover Range Rover Velar, out of which both the Merc and the Land Rover managed to sell more volumes with lesser complaints. Since there aren’t any changes from the previous model we wouldn’t think twice when picking the 2019 Audi Q8. However, the SUV currently carries a resale value of $54,000 on average, which is a drastic drop from the $67,400 that it originally sold for.
User complaints and problems
Mechanical Problems
- Powertrain – The users found the SUV to have a lag while trying to accelerate from a stop. They also reported a sudden acceleration post the lag, which has the potential to result n a collision. The dealers inspected the vehicle and found a faulty torque converter that failed to transfer uniform power to the transmission. Dealers had to replace the torque converter to fix the issue.
- Fuel system – Users received a recall regarding the fuel pump failure which could cause the vehicle to stall while driving. However, when the vehicle was taken to the dealers, it was said that the necessary parts were not available and that the users needed to wait until further notice.
Electrical Problems
- Backup camera – Users complained that the reverse camera would fail to engage at times, making it hard to back the SUV in certain situations. This was said to happen post an OTA update and when the dealers were consulted, it was mentioned that the users might have to wait for a further software fix.
- Tire pump – The spare tire in the Audi Q8 comes deflated and Audi provides a factory pump for it. Users have complained that the pump fails to inflate the tire, leaving the user stranded and needing to tow the SUV. The dealers took a closer look into the issue and found that the pump would overload the circuit, causing it to blow a fuse. The dealer identified the issue but provided no fix rather asked the users to replace the air pump.
Exterior Problems
- Brake lights – The users have been complaining about the rear brake light on the trunk cracks repeatedly and there have been instances where users have had to change the lights multiple times. This was said to be caused due to a manufacturing defect and users had to rely on an after-market solution.
2019 Audi Q8 recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
20th July 2022 |
22V516000 |
Fuel Pump May Fail |
The gasoline pump could malfunction as a result of a component breaking within. Failure of the fuel pump can cause an engine to stall, raising the possibility of a collision. |
The gasoline pump will be replaced at no cost by the dealer. Owner notification letters outlining the safety concern were sent to owners on September 15, 2022. As soon as the remedy is made accessible, a second notice will be delivered. |
|
2. |
16th March 2020 |
20V149000 |
Possible Loss of Steering Control |
A loss of steering control could occur if the bolt holding the steering shaft to the steering gear becomes loose. A quick loss of steering control could make collisions more likely. |
Owners will be notified by Volkswagen, and Audi dealers will check the steering shaft bolt and replace it for free if necessary. |
|
3. |
20th February 2019 |
19V114000 |
Shock Absorber Forks May Develop Cracks |
The shock absorbers may become looser if the front shock absorber forks develop cracks. Vehicle steering may be hampered by loose shock absorbers, posing an elevated crash risk. |
Owners have been informed by Audi, and dealers will free of charge replace the shock absorber forks. |
Should you buy the 2019 Audi Q8?
Despite having cheaper options in the market, the Audi Q8 still managed to sell good numbers, proving the SUV to be a reliable deal. The Q8 did drop customer satisfaction with a few of its issues but the band managed to address them with immediate recalls. For a relatively new vehicle in the market, the 2019 Audi Q8 seems to even be a better pick than its rivals. Common issues on the SUV include a loss of power while driving and we would recommend the buyers get this issue checked and also ensure that the liftgate brake light does not have any cracks on them as Audi was accused of manufacturing a few of the brake lights with lower quality standards. We would also suggest not spending over $55,000 for a car with just under 30,000 miles on it to attain the best value.
