23 complaints reported

2019 Audi Q8 Power Train

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
23
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jan 2026

Due to a leak in the rear axle that is connected to the differential, it caused the entire differential to fail. The bearing within the differential completely failed due to contaminated oil. The Q8s are known to have this occur but only in year models 2020-2022. My Q8 is a 2019 and Audi is aware of these issues given technical service bulletins available but doesnt want to take responsibility as this may be a continuing manufacturing issue arising. My vehicle only has 65k miles on it and Audi admits this is rare. Due to a misdiagnosis in June of 2025 (oil leak), Audi of Seaside Monterey caused the complete failure of the differential in December of 2025 by not doing a deeper diagnosis earlier to resolve the catastrophic failure. This is a safety concern and very expensive. A new differential costs $12k which has been expected to pay with no accountability. I am currently in an active case with Audi Seaside and the BAR to come to a resolution.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2025
Nov 2020

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2020
Jul 2020

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2020
Jun 2020

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2020
Apr 2020

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'

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2019
Feb 2020

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2020
Feb 2020

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2020
Jan 2020

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2020
Jan 2020

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2019
Jan 2020

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2019
Jan 2020

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2019
Dec 2019

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2019
Dec 2019

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2019
Nov 2019

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2019
Nov 2019

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2019
Nov 2019

THE AUTO STOP/START SYSTEM ON THE AUDI Q8 PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN A DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. FREQUENTLY, WHEN I DO THIS (WITH THE AUTO STOP/START ENGAGED - IT'S DEFAULT SETTING) THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-4 SECONDS. WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE, IT FINALLY DOES SO WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS WHEN TAKING A LEFT HAND TURN EITHER ACROSS A LANE OF TRAFFIC OR TAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A ROAD. FOR THE DRIVER, IT'S VERY DISCONCERTING AS (1) YOU DON'T GET THE POWER WHEN YOU WANT OR NEED IT AND (2) WHEN THE POWER FINALLY DOES COME, IT'S EXCESSIVE AND IF YOU MAY NEED TO SLAM THE BRAKES ON TO AVOID TRAFFIC THAT YOU WERE NOT EXPECTING TO BE CLOSE WHEN YOU FIRST BEGAN THE TURN. THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. IF THE AUTO STOP/START SYSTEM IS DISENGAGED, THEN THIS BEHAVIOR GOES AWAY AND THE CAR OPERATES AS EXPECTED. HOWEVER IT RELIES ON THE DRIVER TO REMEMBER TO DISABLE THE "FEATURE" EACH AND EVERY TIME. FOR SOMEONE LIKE MY WIFE, WHO WILL USE THE CAR A FEW TIMES EACH YEAR (WHEN HER CAR IS UNAVAILABLE), SHE MAY NOT BE AWARE (OR I MAY FORGET TO TELL HER) HOW TO ADJUST THE CAR. SAME WITH ANYONE ELSE WHO MIGHT DRIVE THE CAR.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2018
Oct 2019

THIS VEHICLE HAS INCONSISTENT ACCELERATION THAT IS DANGEROUS. WHEN ACCELERATING, PARTICULARLY FROM A ROLLING STOP OR SLOW SPEED BELOW 10MPH, THERE WILL BE A DELAY IN ACCELERATION. WHEN THE ENGINE DOES ENGAGE IT TAKES OFF 'LIKE A ROCKET'. IT DOES NOT ALWAYS DO THIS, WHICH MAKES IT SO DANGEROUS. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING INCONSISTENTLY FOR 9 MONTHS AND MORE THAN 20,000 MILES AND IT CONTINUES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2019
Sep 2019

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2019
Aug 2019

THERE CAN BE A PROFOUND LAG IN ACCELERATION AT CRITICAL TIMES. I CAN COME TO AN INTERSECTION AND SLOW. WHEN THE GAP IS SAFE TO TURN WITH TRAFFIC OR ACROSS TRAFFIC THE CAR WILL NOT PICK UP AND GO. IT WILL LAG AND NOT ACCELERATE. I WILL COAST INTO THE INTERSECTION AND I FEEL AS IF I COULD BE BROADSIDED. THE LAG IS ABOUT 3-4 SECONDS. NOTHING....JUST A DEAD ROLL. IT WILL PICK UP AND ACCELERATE AT 3-4 SECONDS. I FEEL THAT THE GAP I WAITED FOR WAS TYPICALLY SAFE FOR OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE DRIVEN. IT IS NOT TURBO LAG....I OWN PLENTY OF DIESELS. IT IS DANGEROUS. IT CAN'T BE PREDICTED. IT CANNOT BE PREDICTED. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY YOU. AUDI SAYS THAT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT EXIST. THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE. THEY STATE THE VEHICLE OPERATES AS DESIGNED. BUT IT KEEPS HAPPENING AND CANNOT BE PREDICTED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2019
Jul 2019

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).

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2019
Jun 2019

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2019
Mar 2019

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/

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2019
Feb 2019

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 AUDI Q8, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2019

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Quick Summary

The 2019 Audi Q8 has 23 Power Train complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.