Audi carsCode GE
Audi e-tron problems (2019–2025)
The only engine of the Audi e-tron that we have documented, the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for Q8 e-tron 50 / 55 and SQ8, 95 and 114 kWh gross batteries (2022-2025); «With caution» for e-tron 55 quattro and S, 95 kWh gross battery (2019-2022) and e-tron 50 quattro, 71 kWh gross battery (2020-2022).[1][2][3][4][5]
Outside the engine: Outside the electric powertrain (battery, charging and motor, which we assess under its electric drivetrain), the Audi e-tron has recalls for brakes (brake booster, pedal rod, Q8 e-tron brake hoses) and the rear axle; some cover tens of thousands of cars. We have found no in-use reliability records, and AutoScout24 only highlights its weight of around 2.5 t, which places greater demands on tyres, brakes and suspension.[1][4][6]
.jpg){kind=link}
Audi e-tron rating: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 7 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Electric motor5.72 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension7.02 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes6.83 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering7.9Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights8.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior7.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.1 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
Ranked 43 of 64 among the Mid-size SUVs with solid evidence. See the ranking
The weak points of the Audi e-tron
- 1Critical severity: Battery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fireAudi e-tron / Q8 e-tron engine
- 2Critical severity: Moisture ingress at the battery connection on the early units (2019)Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron engine
- 3Critical severity: Electromechanical brake booster failure and corrosion of the brake pressure unit (ABS/ESC)Brakes
- 4Critical severity: Bolt on the rod between the brake pedal and the brake booster that can work looseBrakes
- 5Critical severity: Overtightened bolts on the brake hoses of the Q8 e-tron (2023-2024)Brakes
Documented engine
The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines
See what to check before buyingOutside the engine
7 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Recall 46P7: bolt on the rod between the pedal and the brake booster. See the campaigns for the Audi e-tron
Audi e-tron (GE) and Q8 e-tron: dos motores asíncronos and baterías de 71 a 114 kWh · Electrical
- Names
- e-tron 50 quattro · e-tron 55 quattro · e-tron S · e-tron Sportback · Q8 e-tron 50 · Q8 e-tron 55 · SQ8 e-tron
- Faults that affect it
- 2 · all of high or critical severity
Verdict for the versions it uses
e-tron 55 quattro and S, 95 kWh gross battery (2019-2022)2019–2022 · 408–503 hp
With cautionThis is the version with both battery recalls: the 2019 one on the first units (moisture at the connection) and the 2024 one on the cell modules. Ask for proof of both and a battery health report.[1][2][3]
e-tron 50 quattro, 71 kWh gross battery (2020-2022)2020–2022 · 313 hp
With cautionIt falls within the production period of recalls 93U9/93V2 (March 2018 to March 2022): check by chassis number whether the battery was inspected. Audi guarantees a minimum battery health of 78% at 3 years or 60,000 km.[1][2][4]
Q8 e-tron 50 / 55 and SQ8, 95 and 114 kWh gross batteries (2022-2025)2022–2025 · 249–503 hp
BuyOpen sources record no battery, motor or power electronics faults for this version, and it falls outside the production period of the module recall (up to March 2022). There is little long-term usage data.[1][2][5]
Faults that affect the e-tron
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTraction batteryBattery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fireYes: in February 2024 Audi recalled 42,668 e-trons and e-tron Sportbacks built between March 2018 and March 2022 (1,453 in Germany) because voltage loss in some cell modules can cause thermal overload and fire.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTraction batteryMoisture ingress at the battery connection on the early units (2019)Yes, on the early units: in June 2019 Audi recalled 1,644 e-trons worldwide because moisture could enter the battery connection and cause a short circuit, overheating and, in the worst case, fire.
e-tron Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron pageAll versions and faults of the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron
Faults of the Audi e-tron outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.
Suspension
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionCorrosion of the rear axle arm eccentric bolt nutsAudi recalled several models, including the e-tron, built between 7 November 2019 and 16 April 2021 because the nuts on the rear axle arm's eccentric bolt can break through stress corrosion, with a risk of accident.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionUneven rear tyre wear caused by changes in the rear axle toe and camberAudi recalled the e-tron built 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.
Brakes
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesElectromechanical brake booster failure and corrosion of the brake pressure unit (ABS/ESC)In 2021 Audi recalled two batches of the e-tron because of the electromechanical brake booster (2,303 cars, recall 47R1) and the corrosion of the brake pressure unit (361, recall 47R7). Both can affect the brake booster, the ABS and the ESC and lengthen the braking distance.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesBolt on the rod between the brake pedal and the brake booster that can work looseAudi first recalled a small batch of 2019 e-trons (recall 46P6) and, in 2026, about 96,000 e-trons and Q8 e-trons worldwide because of the bolted connection of the rod between the brake pedal and the brake booster, which can work loose. It is checked and tightened free of charge.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesOvertightened bolts on the brake hoses of the Q8 e-tron (2023-2024)In 2024 Audi recalled 284 Q8 e-trons and Q8 e-tron Sportbacks built between May 2023 and March 2024 because overtightened bolts on the brake hoses can break, causing a brake fluid leak and the failure of one circuit.
What the MOT inspection finds on the Audi e-tron
Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 734 inspections of 600 cars registered between 2019 and 2022, compared with cars of the same age.
- Average
Suspension and axles· counts in the score
Defects in 0.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.7%.
- Fewer defects than average
Brakes· counts in the score
Defects in 0.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.6%.
- Average
Steering· counts in the score
Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.3%.
- Fewer defects than average
Headlights and lights· counts in the score
Defects in 5.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 7.6%.
- Average
Rust and bodywork· counts in the score
Defects in 0.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.1%.
- Average
Exhaust and emissions
Defects in 0.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.4%.
- Average
Fluid leaks
Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.1%.
- Fewer defects than average
Glass, wipers and mirrors
Defects in 1.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.3%.
- Average
Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance
Defects in 15.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 12.5%.
The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl
Checklist for buying a used Audi e-tron
Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.
If it has the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron (2019–2025)
Battery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fire
Critical severityMoisture ingress at the battery connection on the early units (2019)
Critical severityWear parts for the Audi e-tron
Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.
Brake pads
Brake discs
Wiper blades
Pollen filter
Battery
Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links
Buying a Audi e-tron?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Own a Audi e-tron? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Audi e-tron reliable?
The only engine of the Audi e-tron that we have documented, the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for Q8 e-tron 50 / 55 and SQ8, 95 and 114 kWh gross batteries (2022-2025); «With caution» for e-tron 55 quattro and S, 95 kWh gross battery (2019-2022) and e-tron 50 quattro, 71 kWh gross battery (2020-2022). Outside the electric powertrain (battery, charging and motor, which we assess under its electric drivetrain), the Audi e-tron has recalls for brakes (brake booster, pedal rod, Q8 e-tron brake hoses) and the rear axle; some cover tens of thousands of cars. We have found no in-use reliability records, and AutoScout24 only highlights its weight of around 2.5 t, which places greater demands on tyres, brakes and suspension.
What problems does the Audi e-tron have apart from the engine?
Outside the electric powertrain (battery, charging and motor, which we assess under its electric drivetrain), the Audi e-tron has recalls for brakes (brake booster, pedal rod, Q8 e-tron brake hoses) and the rear axle; some cover tens of thousands of cars. We have found no in-use reliability records, and AutoScout24 only highlights its weight of around 2.5 t, which places greater demands on tyres, brakes and suspension. The most important documented faults are: electromechanical brake booster failure and corrosion of the brake pressure unit (ABS/ESC) (brakes, critical severity), bolt on the rod between the brake pedal and the brake booster that can work loose (brakes, critical severity), overtightened bolts on the brake hoses of the Q8 e-tron (2023-2024) (brakes, critical severity) and corrosion of the rear axle arm eccentric bolt nuts (suspension, critical severity).[1][4][6]
What faults does the Audi e-tron have?
The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: battery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fire (Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron, critical severity) and moisture ingress at the battery connection on the early units (2019) (Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron, critical severity).
What is the best year to buy a Audi e-tron?
According to our rating by year, the best is 2025 (9.8/10); the worst rated is 2019 (5.8/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.
Does the Audi e-tron have recalls?
Yes: we have documented 7 campaigns for the Audi e-tron, such as recall 46P7: bolt on the rod between the pedal and the brake booster (2026). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[6]
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Audi e-tron (2018 - 2022): recall por sobrecarga térmica de la batería (alerta Safety Gate 8/2024)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 26 February 2024 · consulted 30 October 2026
- Audi-Rückruf: Defekte Akkuzellen - Brandgefahr beim E-Tronauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published February 2024 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
- Schlechter Start: Audi muss verkaufte E-Trons in die Werkstatt rufenWinFuture · General press · published 11 June 2019 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
- Gebrauchtwagen-Check Audi e-tron (GE): Günstiger als ein elektrischer Fiat Grande PandaAutoScout24 Magazin · Motoring press · published 14 March 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
- Audi e-tron (2018) - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
- Sicherheitsrisiko: Audi-Bremsanlage-Rückruf (e-tron y Q8 e-tron)Newstime (Joyn) · General press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
- Audi e-tron: recalls (car-recalls.eu)car-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026