Which has more recalls, the Audi Q8-E-Tron or the Mercedes-Benz EQS?

The Mercedes-Benz EQS has more recalls (26) compared to the Audi Q8-E-Tron (2). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi Q8-E-Tron or the Mercedes-Benz EQS?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Audi Q8-E-Tron has a lower complaint rate at 0 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 63.8 for the Mercedes-Benz EQS. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Audi Q8-E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQS: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Audi Q8-E-Tron

Good

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mixed

Choosing between the Audi Q8-E-Tron and the Mercedes-Benz EQS? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Audi Q8-E-Tron currently leads with an average score of 77/100 compared to 52/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Audi Q8-E-Tron and Mercedes-Benz EQS Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Mercedes-Benz EQS is in its first generation, introduced in 2022 and receiving a significant facelift in 2024. Being early in its generation cycle, the EQS might experience typical first-generation teething issues, although the 2024 facelift likely addressed some initial concerns, potentially enhancing reliability. The Audi Q8 e-tron is currently in its second generation, which began in 2023 after the initial e-tron model (2018–2019) and a 2022 facelift. The second-generation Q8 e-tron benefits from lessons learned from its predecessor, suggesting a more refined and reliable platform. With more mature engineering, the Q8 e-tron is likely to be well-sorted compared to the newly launched EQS.

Verdict

The Audi Q8-E-Tron is more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz EQS, scoring 77/100 vs 52/100.

The Audi Q8-E-Tron outperforms the Mercedes-Benz EQS in terms of reliability, with a significantly higher average reliability score of 77/100 compared to the EQS's 52/100. The Q8-E-Tron has experienced only 2 recalls over two years, whereas the EQS has had 26 recalls in three years. Additionally, the Audi shows a remarkable record with zero owner complaints per 10,000 vehicles sold, while the EQS has a complaint rate of 63.8. With fewer identified issues and a superior recall history, the Q8-E-Tron is the more reliable choice.

Key Differences

1Audi Q8-E-Tron has 63.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Audi Q8-E-Tron scores 25 points higher in reliability
3Audi Q8-E-Tron has 24 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

3Audi Q8-E-Tron

—

0Mercedes-Benz EQS

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Audi Q8-E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQS: Which Is More Reliable?

Audi Q8-E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQS at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Audi Q8-E-Tron	Mercedes-Benz EQS
Reliability Score	77/100	52/100
Years Tracked	2	3
Total Recalls	2	26
Complaints per 10k Sold	0	63.8
Year Wins	1	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Audi Q8-E-Tron and Mercedes-Benz EQS?

The Mercedes-Benz EQS exhibits notable issues with its electrical system and service brakes, with 24 and 23 complaints respectively, and crash-linked incidents in both categories, highlighting potential safety concerns. Additionally, the EQS has reported problems in forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control, with the latter also having crash-linked complaints, indicating areas for critical attention. In contrast, the Audi Q8-E-Tron currently reports zero complaints across all tracked categories, suggesting a more reliable performance in terms of reported issues. The absence of any documented complaints for the Q8-E-Tron contrasts sharply with the EQS's multiple areas of concern, particularly in safety-critical systems.

Audi Q8-E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQS common problem areas comparison
Component	Audi Q8-E-Tron	Mercedes-Benz EQS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	—None	13.7Above Avg
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	13.1Above Avg
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	10.8Above Avg
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	—None	6.8Average
STRUCTURE	—None	5.1Average
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	2.8Low
WHEELS	—None	1.7Low
POWER TRAIN	—None	1.7Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Audi Q8-E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQS Reliability Compare by Year?

Audi Q8-E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQS year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Audi Q8-E-Tron	Mercedes-Benz EQS	Edge
2024	75/1002R / 0C	61/1004R / 6C	Audi Q8-E-Tron

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Audi Q8-E-Tron scored 75/100 and the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS scored 61/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Audi Q8-E-Tron vs the Mercedes-Benz EQS?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, the Audi Q8-E-Tron is the better choice. With a reliability score of 77/100 and only 2 recalls, it stands out as a dependable option. The absence of owner complaints per 10,000 sold further underscores its solid performance, making it ideal for those who want a hassle-free driving experience. On the other hand, if you're drawn to the prestige of the Mercedes-Benz brand and are willing to handle potential issues, the EQS might appeal to you. However, keep in mind its lower reliability score of 52/100 and 26 recalls. With 63.8 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, you might encounter more frequent service visits, especially related to electrical systems and brakes. Choose the EQS if brand prestige outweighs potential reliability concerns for you.

Audi Q8-E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQS: Common Questions

Is the Audi Q8-E-Tron more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz EQS?: Based on our data, the Audi Q8-E-Tron is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 52/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Audi Q8-E-Tron or the Mercedes-Benz EQS?: The Mercedes-Benz EQS has more recalls (26) compared to the Audi Q8-E-Tron (2). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi Q8-E-Tron or the Mercedes-Benz EQS?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Audi Q8-E-Tron has a lower complaint rate at 0 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 63.8 for the Mercedes-Benz EQS. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Audi Q8-E-Tron comparisons

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More Mercedes-Benz EQS comparisons

Mercedes-Benz EQS vs Tesla Model S reliability Mercedes-Benz EQS vs Audi E-Tron-GT reliability Mercedes-Benz EQS vs Tesla Model X reliability Mercedes-Benz EQS reliability by year Mercedes-Benz EQS years to avoid

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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