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Audi Q8 VIN Number Check

Enter an Audi Q8 VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.

VIN prefixWA1

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Audi Q8

About the Audi Q8

Audi has sold the Q8 in the US since the 2019 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 18 vehicle recall campaigns and 202 owner complaints. The 2019 has the most complaints of any model year (109). EPA rates it at 18–20 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2019–2026
EPA classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle
NHTSA recall campaigns18
Owner complaints202 at NHTSA
Audi Q8 photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Audi Q8 at a glance

One generation in the data, 2019–2026: 18 NHTSA recall campaigns and 202 owner complaints.

1 / 1
Q8
2019–2026Standard Sport Utility Vehicle
Audi Q8 (2019–2026)

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

20192025
2019–2026

Audi Q8

EPA classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle
EPA combined mpg18–20
NHTSA recalls18

Engines (EPA)

  • 3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2019–2026
  • Electric · 2024–2025

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD
  • automatic (2019–2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (78)Engine and cooling (51)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (50)

Mentions in 202 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Q8WA1FVAF1?KD······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2019 Audi Q8 S Line quattro Prestige, built in Bratislava, Slovakia
Check a Q8 VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Q8 model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 18 campaigns on file for Q8 model years 2019–2026, and the 2021 shows up in more of them than any other year (7), ahead of the 2019 (5). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2021
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recall
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Transport Canada recalls for these model years were checked against this list; each one matches an NHTSA campaign shown here. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Audi Q8 owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2019 and 2021 hold 139 of the 202 complaints, or 69%. Tap any bar or generation.

202NHTSA complaints, 2019–2026
6mention a crash
1mention a fire
4injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearQ8: 202 complaints · most for the 2019 (109)

Top complaint areas · Q8

Mentions in 202 complaints, 2019–2026.

Electrical system78
Engine and cooling51
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)50
Fuel system24
Steering17
Forward collision avoidance15
Crashes 6Fires 1Injuries 4

2019–2026

NHTSA data summary

The 2019 is the outlier. On its own it has 109 of the ’s 202 complaints (54%), more than any other Q8 model year. By area, nothing stands out. Electrical system leads with 78, with engine and cooling (51) and the powertrain (50) close behind.

What Q8 owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2019–present (1st generation, 4M)

Complaint counts are modest for the Q8, so the data is thin. The 2019 draws the most NHTSA complaints, and owners most often describe electrical faults and problems with the start-stop system, along with hesitation from a stop and transmission complaints. CarComplaints lists a car that does not accelerate from low speed and an engine that starts to shut off when slowing for 2019, and a leaking sunroof and a failed alternator for 2021. Recalls cover front shock absorber forks that may crack, a steering shaft bolt and the fuel pump. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the shock absorber fork, steering shaft bolt and fuel pump recalls.
  • Ask for alternator and electrical repair records.
  • Clear the sunroof drains and check for water stains.
  • On the drive, pull away from several stops, let the start-stop system restart the engine and watch for hesitation or warnings.
Sources (3) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2019 Audi Q8
  2. CarComplaints.com, 2019 Audi Q8 problems
  3. CarComplaints.com, 2021 Audi Q8 problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Q8 complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Q8 version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

202complaints, 2019–2026
6mention a crash
1mention a fire
4injuries reported
Most complaints: 2019 (109), 2021 (30), 2020 (28)
109’1928’2030’21’25

2019 · 109 complaints

Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 2

Electrical system44
Power train43
Engine33
Steering11
Fuel/propulsion system10

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Q8 CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 15 Q8 versions for model years 2019–2026 (hybrid and electric). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 439 g/mi, for the 2023 hybrid. Electric versions have none at the tailpipe. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Q82019–2026

18–20 mpg · 74–87 MPGe electric · CO₂ 0–479 g/mi

2025
19combined MPG
459CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$4,350EPA yearly fuel cost
4/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
4/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
0150300450600202020252019 · Hybrid: 4742020 · Hybrid: 4792021 · Hybrid: 4532022 · Hybrid: 4402023 · Hybrid: 4392024 · Hybrid: 4592025 · Hybrid: 4592026 · Hybrid: 4592024 · Electric: 02025 · Electric: 0
HybridElectric

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Q8 vs BMW X5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2019–2026. NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for the Q8, against 39 for the BMW X5 and 53 for the Mercedes-Benz GLE. Pick a range to compare.

Audi Q8

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
18
NHTSA owner complaints
202
EPA combined mpg
18–20
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.0 L · Electric
Also listed
turbo, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 78
  2. Engine and cooling 51
  3. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 50

BMW X5

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
39
NHTSA owner complaints
748
EPA combined mpg
15–25
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.4 L
Also listed
turbo, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 214
  2. Engine and cooling 182
  3. Brakes 154

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
53
NHTSA owner complaints
441
EPA combined mpg
14–24
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.0, 5.5 L
Also listed
turbo, mild hybrid, supercharged, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 125
  2. Electrical system 107
  3. Forward collision avoidance 59

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Audi Q8 VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Q8

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Silver Audi Q8 (first generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Before completing a Q8 purchase, cross-reference the dashboard plate VIN against the door jamb sticker, B-pillar label, and cargo area sticker. The engine bay also carries a secondary stamp.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Audi Q8 VIN questions

Which Audi Q8 model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2019 leads with 109, ahead of the 2021 (30) and 2020 (28). Those first two alone make up 69% of the 202 Q8 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Audi Q8 had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 18 vehicle campaigns for model years 2019–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

What fuel economy does the Audi Q8 get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2019–2026 Q8 at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Audi Q8 compare with the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE on recalls?

For 2019–2026 models the Q8 has 18 NHTSA recall campaigns. The BMW X5 has 39, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 53. Complaints run 202, 748 and 441 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Audi Q8 have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Q8 5 stars overall. One version, AWD, is rated.

Other Audi models

Check another Audi model

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