AUDI Q8 · model year

2023 AUDI Q8

7 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2023AUDIQ8 carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2023 Q8 is unknown or other with 3 filings, followed by service brakes (1) and exterior lighting:brake lights (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2023 Q8. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

7
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

7 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
SERVICE BRAKES1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1

Recalls (2)

23V86800020/12/2023

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2023-2024 SQ8, RSQ8, Q8, Q7, and 2024 SQ7 vehicles. The driver's seat side air bag may have been improperly mounted to the seatback frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan

25V90000019/12/2025

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal M

Recent Complaints

20260124UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Sunroof imploded while we were driving on I-10. It sounded like a loud gunshot. The panel of the sunroof that elevates shattered.

20250911UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On a day with an ambient temperature of 115°F in Las Vegas, Nevada, a critical and dangerous malfunction occurred with my 2023 Audi Q8. With the vehicle's keys in my purse, I placed the purse on the front passenger seat. As I was securing my [XXX] in the rear passenger seat, I closed the rear door. Shockingly, the front passenger door simultaneously closed and locked, trapping my child and the keys inside the vehicle. The child was immediately at risk of heatstroke due to the extreme temperature. I have since contacted Audi regarding this serious safety defect. Their representative stated that “keys are not meant to be left in the car” and offered to consider a lease termination after a 60-day review. This is an unacceptable response. The vehicle's design should prevent it from locking with the keys inside, particularly with an occupant present. Although the dealership has since "repaired" the locks, when asked, they could not provide any guarantee that this dangerous situation

20250827CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

My 2023 Audi Q8 Pre Sense collision braking system has engaged erroneously on numerous occasions under completely normal driving conditions. It’s terrifying and potentially life-threatening liability. My vehicle would consistently flash warning signals on my dash and my screen went completely black. Most recently, while driving at approximately 35 mph, the Pre Sense system activated without warning or cause. The impact was so violent I believed I had been rear-ended. No vehicle was behind me. I’m convinced this vehicle will cause a catastrophic accident. Having done research there are multiple consumers posting their Audi coming to a complete stop on the highway while driving at high speeds. Audi had a class action suit for this very reason and I was never notified. I requested a buyback through Audi Corporate. Unfortunately, I received a denial letter. I dropped my vehicle off to my local Audi dealer on several occasions and was told that unless the problem duplicates itself they

20250827CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My 2023 Audi Q8 Pre Sense collision braking system has engaged erroneously on numerous occasions under completely normal driving conditions. It’s terrifying and potentially life-threatening liability. My vehicle would consistently flash warning signals on my dash and my screen went completely black. Most recently, while driving at approximately 35 mph, the Pre Sense system activated without warning or cause. The impact was so violent I believed I had been rear-ended. No vehicle was behind me. I’m convinced this vehicle will cause a catastrophic accident. Having done research there are multiple consumers posting their Audi coming to a complete stop on the highway while driving at high speeds. Audi had a class action suit for this very reason and I was never notified. I requested a buyback through Audi Corporate. Unfortunately, I received a denial letter. I dropped my vehicle off to my local Audi dealer on several occasions and was told that unless the problem duplicates itself they

20240114UNKNOWN OR OTHER

There is a pulsating/fluttering noise coming from the rear passenger side near side of the vehicle. Got the vehicle in July of 2023 and reported the issue in August. Dealership confirmed and performed TSB 2067759/2 (Installed 10 rubber insulator sleeves). This did not fix the problem. I noticed it is loudest when the fuel tank is low. It can be heard at idle but tends to get louder while moving slow at slow speeds (forward or reverse). The tank was full when I brought it in for the August service. Went back in October when I realized it is significantly louder when the fuel is low. Dealership replaced the activated charcoal filter pipe and the fuel tank. This did not eliminate the problem.

20230816SERVICE BRAKES

This is a loaner Audi Q8 from Molly Audi of Kansas City. My 2023 Audi Q7 is in the shop for this exact same issue. The brake pedal randomly does not respond. This prevents the vehicle from being able to start, shift out of gear when parked, and the rear brake lights do not respond. My main concern is the brake lights not responding. I do not want to be injured in a collision when slowing down on the road. There were no warning lamps or massages from the vehicle. The dash just kept telling me to "Please press the brake pedal to start the vehicle". (my foot was on the brake) I have a video of this occurrence if needed.

20230816EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

This is a loaner Audi Q8 from Molly Audi of Kansas City. My 2023 Audi Q7 is in the shop for this exact same issue. The brake pedal randomly does not respond. This prevents the vehicle from being able to start, shift out of gear when parked, and the rear brake lights do not respond. My main concern is the brake lights not responding. I do not want to be injured in a collision when slowing down on the road. There were no warning lamps or massages from the vehicle. The dash just kept telling me to "Please press the brake pedal to start the vehicle". (my foot was on the brake) I have a video of this occurrence if needed.

Compare 2023AUDIQ8 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2023 AUDI Q8 have?
The 2023 AUDI Q8 has 7 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2023 AUDI Q8?
Yes, the 2023 AUDI Q8 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 AUDI Q8?
The most-complained component for the 2023 AUDI Q8 is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS.
Is the 2023 AUDI Q8 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.