This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000 km.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Audi Q8 engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Audi Q8 have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Q8 (this page) | 10 |
| 2020 Q8 | 7 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when DTC U140A00 Terminal 30 is stored in the ECM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides informatio when fuel pump/ sender, fuel tank level implausible, DTC B105A1A B103E29 Stored in 0017.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when there is an abnormal engine knocking noise from the engine compartment; V6 3.0L TFSI.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2019 Audi Q8 engine cluster is dominated by a factory piston skirt defect in the EA839 engine. Multiple owners received manufacturer letters acknowledging this known issue. Owners report engine knock, metal shavings in oil filters, and catastrophic engine failure as early as 50,000 miles. Audi extended warranty coverage from 50,000 to 80,000 miles but issued no recall; owners must request bore scope inspection to have the defect formally documented. One owner was denied warranty coverage at 81,752 miles—just 1,752 miles over the threshold—despite the defect being pre-existing.
Beyond the piston issue, owners report the auto start/stop system dropping engine power at intersections, creating collision hazards. A water pump failure in highway traffic caused sudden engine shutdown and coolant intrusion requiring full engine replacement. Alternators and generators have failed without warning, leaving drivers without electrical function or emergency lights. Engine mounts wear and rattle around 50,000 miles and require specialized tools to replace properly.
Dealership response has been inconsistent: one owner's vehicle sat for three weeks before an oil pressure warning was misdiagnosed as just low oil. Another waited 45 days for a $4,000 generator replacement part. Multiple service visits failed to address recurring issues.
Failure modes owners describe
Piston skirt defects / piston slap
Factory defect in piston skirts causing engine knock, metal shavings in oil, and eventual early engine failure. Multiple owners report receiving manufacturer letters confirming this known issue. Some denied warranty coverage after mileage threshold exceeded despite the defect being pre-existing.
When: Reported between 50,000–81,752 miles; manufacturer extended warranty to 80,000 miles acknowledging the issue
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal knocking or rattling noises from engine; Engine misfiring and stalling sensations; Metal shavings visible in oil filters; Sudden loss of power or drivability; Engine warning lights
Codes mentioned: Metal shavings in oil confirmed by technician inspection, Piston wall scratches observed during bore scope
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required in at least one case; full engine teardown and inspection necessary. Cost not specified by owners but described as major mechanical failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer aware of defect; extended warranty coverage from 50,000 to 80,000 miles for EA839 engine used in Audi, Porsche, VW Touareg. No full recall issued; owners must specifically request bore scope inspection to diagnose. Warranty denial issued when mileage exceeds 80,000 miles threshold.
Auto start/stop system malfunction
Auto start/stop feature loses engine power unexpectedly during normal driving, creating hazardous situations at intersections and crosswalks. Vehicle lurches forward suddenly despite driver input.
When: Ongoing; multiple service visits failed to resolve
Symptoms owners cite: Engine power loss for 2–3 seconds at stops despite accelerator input; Unexpected forward lunge when stopped; Loss of power during turning at intersections
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealership service visits completed without resolution.
Water pump / cooling system failure
Water pump failure caused coolant to enter engine while vehicle was in highway left lane, leading to sudden engine shutdown and catastrophic engine damage.
When: Highway driving; owner reported May 19th incident date
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle streaming (leaking coolant); Sudden engine shutdown while driving; Engine failure requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; insurance covered cost.
Alternator failure
Alternator malfunction caused complete vehicle shutdown in traffic with total loss of electrical system, including inability to activate emergency lights. Owner reports this is a common problem on Audis.
When: Occurred during surface road driving; no mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: Complete electrical system failure; Loss of emergency blinker function; Sudden vehicle shutdown in traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement required; same part reused at dealership. Parts availability issue: took one month for dealership to stock replacement.
Generator failure
Generator malfunction requiring replacement. Vehicle left at dealership for extended period awaiting parts.
When: No specific mileage or timeline given
Symptoms owners cite: Generator failure requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost cited as $4,000. Vehicle at dealership 45 days waiting for parts.
Engine mount failure
Engine mounts wear out and require replacement, causing engine shaking and rattling noises. Owner notes these failures commonly occur around 50,000 miles and are not simple replacements on this platform.
When: Around 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shaking; Rattling sounds from engine mounts
Repairs/costs cited: Requires specialized tools for replacement; owner recommends dealership service for proper execution.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I was having noise from engine and and I received a letter from extended warranty for an production defect in piston skirt. I sent my car for an evaluation in the Audi of Manhattan and I was told that my car falls under the engine piston skirt defect.i have the pictures from Audi Manhattan inspection that the engine piston walls have scratches.i was denied coverage under extension warranty…
Had engine trouble with your 2019 Audi Q8?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2019 Audi Q8?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Audi/Q8.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.