Head-to-head reliability
AUDI Q8 vs Toyota Camry
How the AUDI Q8 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
AUDI Q8 vs Toyota Camry: The Q8 averages 24.1 complaints per year with 26 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Q8's issues often involve severe electrical failures, whereas the Camry's are more frequent but varied. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI Q8 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI Q8
The Audi Q8 is a luxury SUV that, based on owner complaints, can suffer from serious electrical and engine problems. Over 8 years, it has averaged about 24 complaints per year, with many reports of sudden power loss and cooling system failures. While the total number of complaints is lower than the Camry's, the nature of the issues—like complete electrical failure at speed—can be alarming. Buyers should be aware that repairs may be costly and frequent.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher annual complaint rate—about 206 per year over 10 years. Owners frequently report power train, brake, and engine issues, including hesitation, shuddering, and brake problems. The sheer volume of complaints suggests that while the Camry is common, it is not immune to reliability troubles. However, many issues may be less severe than the Q8's electrical failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI Q8 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 193 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 24.1 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
AUDI Q8
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM75
- 02ENGINE50
- 03POWER TRAIN50
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER19
- 05STEERING17
Owners report complete electrical failure while driving, with warning lights turning red before the vehicle loses all power. One owner described the alternator dying at highway speed, leaving them coasting to a stop. This can be terrifying and dangerous, as it disables steering and braking assistance.
Complaints include cooling system and water pump failures, often signaled by low-coolant warnings. In one case, a 2020 Q8 at 75,000 miles needed significant cooling system repairs. Engine issues can lead to overheating and costly damage if not addressed promptly.
Owners describe the vehicle feeling like it's sliding on ice or oil when changing lanes, and some experience sudden loss of acceleration on the highway. These symptoms suggest transmission or drivetrain problems that could compromise control and safety.
Reports include door locking malfunctions where doors indicate open or locked but can still be opened, posing a theft risk. Another owner reported an urgent safety issue on a new Q8 with fewer than 1,100 miles. These miscellaneous problems can be frustrating and undermine trust in the vehicle.
“I wish to report a critical safety issue with our Audi Q8, which experienced a complete electrical failure while traveling at 65 mph on the freeway on [XXX]. The warning indicators transitioned from yellow to red before the vehicle lost all functionality, inc…”
“The alternator on my Audi Q8 SUV died AS I WAS DRIVING IT, leaving my vehicle with no power. I was left to coast down the 50-60 MPH highway I was driving on into a turn lane, where the vehicle stopped and could not be restarted. My safety was put at risk beca…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove. Others experience hesitation and shuddering while driving, often accompanied by a check engine light. These problems can leave you stranded or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Multiple systems—smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. One owner described all these failing while driving home at night. Such widespread electronic glitches can be disorienting and dangerous.
Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This hesitation can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic. Some owners have experienced this multiple times.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Others hear a clicking or vibrating sound from the brake pedal area, which dealers say is common but owners find abnormal. Brake issues are critical for safety and should be inspected.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
AUDI Q8 — 26 recalls
The defect: 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 Stand…
The risk: An improperly mounted air bag may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69GA.
The defect: 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 M…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Audi RS Q8, Audi Q8, Audi Q7, and Audi SQ8 vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt buckles may be missing a rivet that secures the buckle to the seat belt stalk.
The risk: A seat belt that is missing a rivet may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 692K. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
The defect: 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 M…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
AUDI Q8 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Audi Q8 has far fewer complaints per year (24.1 vs. 205.6), but its issues often involve sudden, severe failures like complete electrical loss. The Toyota Camry's higher complaint volume includes many less catastrophic problems, though brake and power train issues can still be serious. In practice, the Q8 may spend more time in the shop for major repairs, while the Camry may have more frequent but potentially less disabling issues.
Key differences
- The Audi Q8 has a much lower annual complaint rate (24.1 vs. 205.6), but its complaints often involve complete electrical failure at speed, which can be life-threatening.
- The Toyota Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 5) and injuries (158 vs. 3), though this may reflect its higher sales volume.
- Q8 owners frequently report cooling system and water pump failures, while Camry owners report transmission hesitation and brake problems.
- Both have recalls, but the Q8's recalls include air bags and backover prevention, while the Camry's include wheels and seats.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues: flickering lights, warning messages, or a history of alternator or battery replacements.
- Inspect the cooling system for leaks or low coolant, and ask about water pump replacement history, especially on higher-mileage models.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it could indicate a power train defect requiring battery disconnection.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which may signal ABS or electronic parking brake problems.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system and cooling system on the Q8, and the transmission and brakes on the Camry.
- Test drive the Q8 at highway speeds to check for sudden power loss or hesitation, and test the Camry's acceleration and braking.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for the Q8's water pump and the Camry's brake system.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a dealer or independent shop familiar with the specific model's common issues.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | AUDI Q8 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 3 | 163 |
| 2024 | 23 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 64 |
| 2022 | 0 | 61 |
| 2021 | 30 | 157 |
| 2020 | 28 | 274 |
| 2019 | 109 | 395 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific AUDI Q8 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI Q8 vs Toyota Camry
- AUDI Q8 total complaints
- 193
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- AUDI Q8 total recalls
- 26
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- AUDI Q8 avg complaints/year
- 24.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- AUDI Q8
- AUDI Q8 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN