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2020 Audi RS Q8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 RS Q8.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2020 Audi RS Q8 is a high-performance luxury SUV paired with an S8 automatic transmission and returning EPA fuel economy of 13 city, 19 highway, and 15 combined mpg — figures that underscore the weight and ambition of the platform rather than any pretense of efficiency. As the inaugural model year of the RS Q8 lineage, it carries the burden of being the baseline against which subsequent years are measured, and the early reliability picture is mixed: across the 2020–2026 model range covered by owner complaint data, 2020 accounts for a significant share of 26 total complaints, with the engine emerging as the top complaint area and three recalls issued, suggesting that first-year teething issues were concentrated in the powertrain. Notably, the complaint history shows that by 2021 — both the highest and lowest year on record at just two complaints — the model had already settled into a quieter reliability profile, meaning the 2020 stands out as the year where owners encountered the most friction, and researchers should weigh that early-engine prominence accordingly.

Model year202520242023202220212020

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy13/19/15 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 06M115331A. 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.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06M115331A alt 06M115441G
Engine air filter4M0133843G
Spark plug0P2905601A
Battery000915089BC
Front wiper blades4M8998002
Thermostat0P2121115E alt 06M121688
Cabin air filter4M0819439C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length197.2 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase118.1 in
Curb weight5269 lb
Track (front / rear)66.1 / 66.5 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined13 / 19 / 15 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 RS Q8 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.20 sec — 2020 SUV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020SUV 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 + Elec3.20 sec11.60 sec591 hpAWD
2021SUV 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 + Elec3.40 sec11.80 sec591 hpAWD
2023SUV 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 + Elec3.50 sec11.90 sec591 hpAWD
2025Performance 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 + Elec3.10 sec11.50 sec631 hpAWD
2025Performance 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 + Elec3.30 sec11.60 sec631 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Engine torques

Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs80.0 inch lbs. 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 30,000 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) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine 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 2020 Audi RS Q8 serves as the generation's launch year, beginning with a modest federal record of 1 recall and 0 formal complaints, though targeted data flags notable concerns across the Engine, Unknown or Other, Electrical, and Fuel systems. The broader generational trend reveals a sharp spike in manufacturer attention the following year, with 2021 seeing recalls surge to 7 and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) peak at 1,183. This activity arc strongly suggests that latent issues from the 2020 debut surfaced shortly after launch, prompting substantial factory corrections before steadily declining to just 1 recall and 142 TSBs by 2026. As the inaugural model sitting at the onset of this high-activity correction period, the 2020 RS Q8 inherently carries the initial production quirks that necessitated the subsequent fixes. Because of its position as the unrefined launch year preceding major defect corrections, this is a risky model to purchase unless you can definitively verify that all subsequent recalls and critical TSBs have been thoroughly addressed.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1283
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
26
Owner complaints
2 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
’20’21’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 26 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine5
Unknown Or Other3
Electrical System3
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Forward Collision Avoidance2
Forward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure,Back Over Prevention1
Power Train,Electrical System,Service Brakes1
Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance,Back Over Prevention1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V272000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And LinesReported 13/05/2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Audi Q8 vehicles. An insufficient weld on a transmission oil pipe may cause the vehicle to leak automatic transmission fluid (ATF). Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil pipe and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2020. Owners may contact…

22V516000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 20/07/2022

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi Q8, and 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. A component inside the fuel pump may break, causing the fuel pump to fail. Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1283 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_2082147_12026-06-29Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides informaiton when there are function issues in vehicles equipped…
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…
TSB_2059335_72026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…

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 RS 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.

Engine oil filter 06M115331AEngine air filter 4M0133843GSpark plug 0P2905601ABattery 000915089BC

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 RS Q8 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RS Q8 get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined mpg.