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2021 Audi Q8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Q8.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

Equipped with an Automatic (S8) transmission, the 2021 Audi Q8 returns EPA fuel economy of 18/23/20 mpg and features an engine requiring 8.0 quarts of 0W-20 viscosity oil. Positioned within a model complaint history spanning 2019 to 2026, this specific year registers 28 total owner complaints alongside 7 recalls, with the electrical system standing out as the top complaint area. While it avoids the severe reliability issues that characterized the 2019 model's peak of 107 complaints, its tally remains significantly higher than the 2025 low of 3, indicating that the 2021 Q8 sits in a somewhat problematic middle ground in the vehicle's overall reliability trajectory.

Model year2025202420232022202120202019

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity8.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque118 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/23/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. battery, OE oil filter 06M115441G. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage.OEM · verified
Tire size285/45R21/XL 113HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim10 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06M115441G alt 06M198405F
Engine air filter4M0133843G
Spark plug06M905606F
Battery000915089BC
Front wiper blades4M8998002
Thermostat06M121688 alt 06M121678H
Cabin air filter4M0819439C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length196.5 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase118.1 in
Curb weight4729 lb
Track (front / rear)66.1 / 66.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 23 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Q8 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.3–5.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2019 Prestige S-Line Quattro
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019Prestige S-Line Quattro 3.0L Turbo V65.30 sec14.00 sec335 hpAWD
2019Prestige S-Line Quattro 3.0L Turbo V65.70 sec14.10 sec335 hpAWD
2019Prestige S-Line Quattro 3.0L Turbo V65.70 sec14.10 sec335 hpAWD
2019Prestige S-Line Quattro 3.0L Turbo V65.90 sec14.40 sec335 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 8.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 118 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-3-6-2-5.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidAudi P/N G 060 162 A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.0 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantAudi Coolant G13-TL-VW774J
Engine Coolant Capacity10.5 qt
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity8.0 qt

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-6-2-5

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum87.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum116.0 psi
Residual Pressure43.45 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: NS, Rear: Use new bolts: 26.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.4
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079" in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1LN; Rear: 2EA

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Completely install all bolts by hand. Step 222 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.011 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 40,000 mi.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire Repair Kit Sealant (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAir Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 40,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Audi Q8 arrived after owner complaints dropped sharply from a launch-year high of 107 in 2019 to 26 in 2020, then held nearly steady at 28, even as recalls jumped to seven—more than double the prior year and the highest count in the federal record provided. While later model years show continued downward trends in both complaints and recalls, 2021 stands out as an early-generation anomaly where normalized grievances, concentrated in electrical and fuel-system categories, coincided with elevated recall activity. Federal data records zero crash-related and zero fire-related complaints for this year, though it does not specify root causes behind the recalls or individual complaint submissions. Because 2021 pairs moderate owner-reported issues with the generation’s peak recall exposure, it is a viable used purchase provided a pre-buy inspection confirms all seven recall campaigns have been completed.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1284
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
28
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’19’20’21’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 28 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System5
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Power Train,Engine2
Back Over Prevention2
Steering,Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1
Power Train1
Engine1
Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V606000Seat Belts:Rear/Other:RetractorReported 05/08/2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback… Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact…

22V034000TiresReported 26/01/2022

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8… Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1284 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_2079747_22026-06-30StructureThis bulletin provides information regarding various complaints about front or rear door…
TSB_2076404_82026-06-29Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin provides a deployment overview for customer service packages MLB and MQB…
TSB_2074640_32026-06-26EngineThis bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2079226_52026-06-24StructureThis bulletin provides information when the sliding glass panoramic sunroof is leaking.
TSB_2074729_32026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Q8. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group R batteryVehicles taking 8.0 qtEngine oil filter 06M115441GEngine air filter 4M0133843GSpark plug 06M905606FBattery 000915089BC

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Q8 take?

8.0 qt of Audi 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Q8 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Q8 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined mpg.