NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2024 Audi SQ8. Most complaints involve electrical system (2) and lane departure (1). The EPA rates it 17–73 mpg combined.
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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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 Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the door locking and electrical systems in my 2024 Audi SQ8. On two separate occasions the vehicle experienced a complete electrical malfunction. During the first incident, I and my child were trapped inside the vehicle. The doors would not open from the inside and the vehicle would not start. After the first incident, the vehicle was taken to an Audi dealership for inspection and repair. I was informed that the issue had been identified and repaired. Despite those repairs, the same safety issue occurred again. During the second incident, which was captured on video, the vehicle would not start despite repeated attempts. The vehicle malfunctioned again after the dealership had already stated the problem was fixed. Dealership personnel acknowledged that they could not guarantee the problem would not happen again. I was also provided a video demonstrating a manual emergency exit procedure because the electronic door locking system could become inoperative again. The dealership showed how occupants would have to use a mechanical override to exit if the electronic system failed again. This defect creates a…”
“Our electrical system is going craze. The electronic door handles will lock us in and out of the car, the instrument cluster will black out for periods, safety sensors go off at random, other screens in car will black out leaving controls in operable, and wireless car charger will heat the phone so hot that we have been burnt. We have take to the dealer several times. Some visits they claim they can not duplicate. They have replaced two of the door handles but they still at random do the same thing. There have been numerous system updates done to the car but it does not seem to help. We are told that the solution for these problems have not been developed yet by the manufacturer. There are no warning signs as to when these items will fail, it just happens at random. We do not feel safe driving the car as all the safety components are tied to the electrical system such as steering, braking, lighting, etc.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SQ8 e-tron (20 inch wheels) Auto (A2) · All-Wheel Drive | 72 | 75 | 73 | $1,050 | — |
| SQ8 Sportback e-tron (20 inch wheels) Auto (A2) · All-Wheel Drive | 72 | 75 | 73 | $1,050 | — |
| SQ8 e-tron (21/22 inch wheels) Auto (A2) · All-Wheel Drive | 62 | 63 | 63 | $1,200 | — |
| SQ8 Sportback e-tron (21/22 inch wheels) Auto (A2) · All-Wheel Drive | 62 | 63 | 63 | $1,200 | — |
| SQ8 Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $4,700 | 518 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (2), lane departure (1), forward collision avoidance (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2024 Audi SQ8 at 17–73 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).