Audi Q8 (2018–today)SuspensionShock absorbers and top mounts
Front shock absorber fork with a casting defect that may break in the Audi Q8
Why this rating?
Symptoms
- The sources describe no prior symptom; if it breaks, the tyre could rub against the wheel arch.[1]
Why it happens
Affected years and cars
Q8 built in November and December 2018 (campaign 40O4); the DVSA (R/2019/065) gives 27 November to 18 December 2018 and the same figure of 31 vehicles for the Q7 and Q8. The DVSA figures are for the UK and cannot be extrapolated to Spain.[1][2]
All recalls and campaigns for the Audi Q8
Other models with the same fault
They share the affected part or platform, according to the cited sources.
- Audi Q7 4Msince 2015[2]
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Replacement of the affected shock absorber forks (remedy described by the DVSA).[2]
We have not found a sourced euro figure for an owner in Spain.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- If the Q8 is one of the first units (late 2018), check with the chassis number whether campaign 40O4 was carried out.[1]
How to prevent it
- Go to an official dealer when the notification arrives; if you notice rubbing or odd knocks from the front wheel, do not wait.
Recalls, campaigns and claims
RecallAudi (alerta Safety Gate/RAPEX 15/2019) · April 2019 · Ref. 40O4 · Safety Gate A12/0618/19 · DVSA R/2019/065
Campaign 40O4: front shock absorber fork
Q8 built in November and December 2018 (the DVSA also counts 31 Q7s in the United Kingdom): the affected front shock absorber forks are replaced.[1][2]
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Which Q8s are affected?
Those from the first weeks of production, built in November and December 2018, according to Safety Gate.[1]
What gets fixed at the workshop?
The DVSA says the affected front shock absorber forks are replaced.[2]
Does it also affect the Q7?
The DVSA records the same campaign (40O4) for the Q7 as well, with the same figures.[2]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other faults of the Audi Q8
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionCorrosion of the rear axle arm eccentric bolt nutsAudi recalled the Q8 built between 7 November 2019 and 16 April 2021 because the nuts of the rear axle arm eccentric bolt can break through stress corrosion. The Safety Gate alert indicates a risk of accident.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalSteeringBolt joining the steering shaft to the rack tightened to insufficient torqueAudi recalled some Q8s built up to February 2019 because the bolt joining the steering shaft to the rack may have been tightened to insufficient torque and could work loose over time, which can affect steering control.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemOverheating of the high-voltage battery cell modules when charging (plug-in hybrids)In October 2025 Audi recalled 18,652 Q7, Q8 and A8 vehicles with a high-voltage battery (built from August 2019 to July 2024) over a fire risk when charging. The German press links it to the plug-in hybrids, and a software update fixes it.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionUneven rear tyre wear due to changes in rear axle toe and camberAudi recalled the Q8 from November 2019 to April 2021 because the toe or camber of the rear axle can change and wear the rear tyres faster and unevenly. A tyre worn down to the carcass can suddenly lose pressure.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchAutomatic gearbox oil line with a defective weld that may leak oilAudi recalled Q8s built from September to December 2019 because an oil line of the automatic gearbox had a manufacturing defect and could leak oil onto the road. The DVSA attributes it to a defective weld.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyFront left seat side airbag insufficiently secured to the seat structureAudi recalled 3,598 Q7, Q8 and RSQ8 vehicles built from August to December 2023 because the side airbag of the front left seat was not properly secured to the seat structure and might not deploy correctly.
The faults of its engines are on the Audi Q8 page.
The same problem in other cars
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Jumper IIFaulty fixing of the front hub to the shock absorber: the wheel axle can break (2019 vehicles)Yes: Citroën recalled Citroën Jumpers built between April and June 2019 because the wheel axle could be faulty and break, changing the behaviour of the steering and creating a risk of accident. The DVSA describes it as a fixing of the hub to the front shock absorber that might not meet specification.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Scudo IIIInsufficient tightening torque on the bolted shock absorber connectionA recall listed by Germany's KBA covers 2,244 Scudos built between 10 July 2024 and 13 February 2025: the tightening torque of the bolted shock absorber connection is insufficient and the mounting can be lost, with a risk of losing control of the car.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Vivaro CShock absorber mounting to the bodywork with insufficient tightening torqueYes: Opel campaign KRM covers Vivaros built between 10 July 2024 and 13 February 2025 because the mounting of a shock absorber to the bodywork was fitted with insufficient tightening torque (90 Nm measured), with a risk of it breaking and the vehicle going out of control.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot Boxer IIIFaulty fixing of the front hub to the shock absorber: the wheel axle can break (2019 vehicles)Yes: Peugeot recalled Peugeot Boxers built between April and June 2019 because the wheel axle could be faulty and break, changing the behaviour of the steering and creating a risk of accident. The DVSA describes it as a fixing of the hub to the front shock absorber that might not meet specification.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot Expert IIIShock absorber mounting to the bodywork with insufficient tightening torqueA Peugeot recall (MWE, Safety Gate SR/01285/25) covers Expert vehicles built between July 2024 and February 2025: the mounting of a shock absorber to the bodywork was fitted with insufficient tightening torque (90 Nm measured) and can break, causing loss of control of the vehicle.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalPorsche Macan IShock absorber bolts wrongly tightened several times (recall AMA8)Only on very specific units: recall AMA8 affects Macans built in January and February 2021 (159 cars worldwide according to the Safety Gate), on which some bolted shock absorber connections may have been wrongly tightened several times, with a risk of unstable driving. The bolts are replaced and, at the front, the mounts too.
All faults with the shock absorbers (130)Cars with the most suspension problems
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Audi Q8 (2018): recall de un componente de la suspensión delanteracar-recalls.eu (datos Safety Gate) · Other source · published 12 April 2019 · consulted 9 October 2026
- DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026