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Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Nissan Leaf and e-NV200: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron carries less risk than the Nissan Leaf and e-NV200: 43/100 versus 49/100 (both moderate risk). The Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Battery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fire»; the Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Accelerated degradation of the air-cooled battery».

Risk index

Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

43

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

Nissan Leaf and e-NV200

49

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

12 sourcesHow we work

Is the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron reliable?

We have found no documented faults with the electric motor or the power electronics; what is on record are two precautionary high-voltage battery recalls: moisture at the connection (first 2019 units) and cell modules with a risk of overheating (built 2018-2022). Check the chassis number and the battery's state of health.[1][2][3]

See the 2 of the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron faults

Is the Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 reliable?

The weak point of the 24 kWh Leaf and e-NV200 is the battery, which is cooled by air only: it loses capacity faster than average, especially units from 2011-2014. The rest of the drivetrain (motor, charger, reduction gear) has few documented faults.[4][5][6]

See the 6 of the Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron and Nissan Leaf and e-NV200
Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tronNissan Leaf and e-NV200
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelElectricalElectrical
Displacement——
Timing——
Power249–503 hp109–217 hp
Production2019–2025[7]2011–2025[8][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)43Moderate risk49Moderate risk
Documented faults26
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Battery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fire
  2. Critical severity: Moisture ingress at the battery connection on the early units (2019)
  1. High severity: Accelerated degradation of the air-cooled battery
  2. Critical severity: Defective solder on the park-lock actuator plate (2019 e-NV200)
  3. High severity: Battery module or electronics fault with prolonged immobilisation
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Q8 e-tron 50 / 55 and SQ8, 95 and 114 kWh gross batteries (2022-2025)[1][2][7]
  • Leaf II 40 kWh, 150 hp (2018-2025)[6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • e-tron 50 quattro, 71 kWh gross battery (2020-2022)[1][2][11]
  • e-tron 55 quattro and S, 95 kWh gross battery (2019-2022)[1][2][3]
  • Leaf I 24 kWh, 109 hp (2011-2015)[4]
  • Leaf I 30 kWh, 109 hp (2015-2017)[4][5]
  • Leaf e+ 62 kWh, 217 hp (2019-2025)[6]
  • e-NV200 24 kWh, 109 hp (2014-2018)[4][10]
  • e-NV200 40 kWh, 109 hp (2018-2022)[12]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

Nissan Leaf and e-NV200

Other comparisons

With the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

With the Nissan Leaf and e-NV200

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. 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
  2. Audi-Rückruf: Defekte Akkuzellen - Brandgefahr beim E-Tronauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published February 2024 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  3. Schlechter Start: Audi muss verkaufte E-Trons in die Werkstatt rufenWinFuture · General press · published 11 June 2019 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  4. Estudio comparativo de la degradación de la batería del Nissan Leaf de primera generaciónMovilidad Eléctrica · Motoring press · published 27 March 2018 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Fiabilité Nissan Leaf (2011-2017) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Nissan Leaf 2 (à partir de 2019) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  7. Audi e-tron (2018) - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  8. Nissan Leaf (Wikipedia, en)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  9. Nissan Leaf (Wikipedia, de)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  10. Nissan NV200 (Wikipedia, en)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  11. 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
  12. Nissan e-NV200 (2019): recall actuator, EV/Hybrid (Safety Gate A12/01429/20)car-recalls.eu · Official body · published 30 October 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026