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Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron carries less risk than the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron): 43/100 versus 48/100 (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 MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron) has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Faulty modules in the high-voltage battery with fire risk».

Risk index

Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

43

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)

48

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

18 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 MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron) reliable?

There are no documented faults in the electric motor or inverter, but 2026 battery campaigns mean the chassis number should be checked: faulty modules (March) and supplier cells with charging limited to 80% (October). Charging cutoffs are the other recurring fault.[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron and MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)
Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tronMEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelElectricalElectrical
Displacement——
Timing——
Power249–503 hp146–340 hp
Production2019–2025[7]since 2019[8][9][10][11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)43Moderate risk48Moderate risk
Documented faults24
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. Critical severity: Faulty modules in the high-voltage battery with fire risk
  2. Critical severity: Faulty supplier cells: charging limited to 80% until the battery is checked
  3. High severity: Cells with high self-discharge in early cars: service measures 93P7 and 93Q2
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]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • e-tron 50 quattro, 71 kWh gross battery (2020-2022)[1][2][14]
  • e-tron 55 quattro and S, 95 kWh gross battery (2019-2022)[1][2][3]
  • 55 to 62 kWh gross batteries with APP 310 motor (2020-2024)[5][6][15]
  • 77 to 84 kWh gross batteries with APP 310 motor (2020-)[4][16][17]
  • APP 550 motor, 210 to 240 kW (2023-)[4][18]
  • All-wheel drive with front asynchronous motor (2021-)[4][5]
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

MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)

See the 10 models with the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)

Other comparisons

With the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

With the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)

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. Brandgefahr: Rückruf für VW ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID. Buzz und Cupra BornADAC · Reliability study · published 21 October 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  5. Safety Gate SR/00953/26: VW ID. BUZZ, ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.BUZZ CARGO (batería de alta tensión)EU Safety Gate · Official body · published 31 March 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026
  6. Cupra Born: Bekannte Probleme, Schwachstellen und RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 7 August 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  7. Audi e-tron (2018) - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  8. Volkswagen Group MEB platformWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  9. Volkswagen ID.3Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  10. Volkswagen ID.4Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  11. Volkswagen ID.7Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  12. Škoda EnyaqWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  13. Cupra BornWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  14. 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
  15. VW ID.3: bekannte Probleme, Schwachstellen und RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 19 May 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  16. Volkswagen ID.3 Battery Holds Up Amazingly After 160,000 Km Test (prueba de resistencia del ADAC)Zecar · Motoring press · published 17 July 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026
  17. 107,000 mile VW ID.3 loses just eight miles of range in independent endurance testElectrifying.com · Motoring press · published 16 July 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026
  18. VW bereitet Batterie-Rückruf für mehrere ID.-Modelle vorelectrive · Motoring press · published 16 October 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German