Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron engine: faults and reliability
Audi e-tron (GE) and Q8 e-tron: dos motores asíncronos and baterías de 71 a 114 kWh · Audi
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]
Which Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron versions should you buy?
Our verdict for each version, based on the documented faults.
- With caution
e-tron 50 quattro, 71 kWh gross battery (2020-2022)
2020–2022 · 313 hp
It 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][5]
- With caution
e-tron 55 quattro and S, 95 kWh gross battery (2019-2022)
2019–2022 · 408–503 hp
This 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]
- Buy
Q8 e-tron 50 / 55 and SQ8, 95 and 114 kWh gross batteries (2022-2025)
2022–2025 · 249–503 hp
Open 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][4]
Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.
Known faults of the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron
Sorted from most to least important (severity × frequency).
- 1Critical 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.
- 2Critical 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.
Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them
By part
Compare each fault with the same part on other engines: symptoms, cost and affected models.
Symptoms of these faults
What the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron is
The e-tron (GE) was Audi's first series-production electric car: it was unveiled in September 2018, first deliveries were in 2019 and production ended in February 2025. In 2022 it was renamed Q8 e-tron with a technical update.[4]
It has one asynchronous motor per axle (quattro all-wheel drive). The e-tron 55 and S produce 300 to 370 kW depending on boost mode; the e-tron 50 uses a smaller battery and 230 kW. The Q8 e-tron 50 and 55 drop to 183 and 220 kW with 95 and 114 kWh gross batteries.[4]
DC rapid charging reaches around 150 kW on the original e-tron (120 kW on the 50) and 150-170 kW on the Q8 e-tron. On AC, 11 kW as standard in Europe and 22 kW optional from mid-2021.[4][5]
Open sources record no faults with the motor, reduction gear or inverter. The ADAC puts the share of electric-car faults caused by the traction battery, motor or charging at just 4.4%, compared with the 12 V battery, although that statistic does not break down the e-tron.[6][7]
- Manufacturer
- Audi (Grupo Volkswagen)
- Family
- e-tron (GE)
- Type
- Electrical
- Engine
- Dos motores asíncronos (uno por eje, tracción total quattro); el SQ8 e-tron suma un tercero
- Battery
- 71–114 kWh
- Power
- 249–503 hp
- Peak torque
- 973 Nm
- Production
- 2019–2025
- Makes
- Audi
Technical data[4]
What changed between versions
2019–2022
e-tron 55 quattro and S, 95 kWh gross battery (2019-2022)
95 kWh gross battery (83.6 kWh usable, 86.5 after an update) and two 300 kW asynchronous motors with boost (370 kW in the S). Rapid charging of around 150 kW. Includes standard and Sportback bodies.[4][5]
2020–2022
e-tron 50 quattro, 71 kWh gross battery (2020-2022)
Entry version: 71 kWh gross battery (64.7 kWh usable), motors of 100 kW at the front and 130 kW at the rear (230 kW in total) and DC rapid charging limited to around 120 kW.[4][5]
2022–2025
Q8 e-tron 50 / 55 and SQ8, 95 and 114 kWh gross batteries (2022-2025)
2022 update: Q8 e-tron 50 with 95 kWh gross (89 usable) and 183 kW; Q8 e-tron 55 with 114 kWh gross (106 usable) and 220 kW; SQ8 at 370 kW. DC rapid charging rises to 150-170 kW.[4]
Cars fitted with the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron
1 model sold in Spain. Open each one to see all its faults and the buying checklist.
Audi
- Audi e-trone-tron 50 quattro · e-tron 55 quattro · e-tron S · e-tron Sportback · Q8 e-tron 50 · Q8 e-tron 55 · SQ8 e-tron2019–2025[4][5][8]
Compare the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Dacia Spring
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Fiat 500e
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Hyundai-Kia E-GMP (Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, EV6)
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Hyundai-Kia eléctrico (Ioniq, Kona, e-Niro, Soul EV)
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes EQA / EQB
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes EQC
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs MG eléctrico (MG4, ZS EV, Marvel R)
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Nissan Leaf and e-NV200
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Porsche Taycan
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Renault 5 E-Tech (AmpR Small)
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Renault-Nissan CMF-EV (Mégane E-Tech, Ariya)
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Renault Zoe
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Stellantis e-CMP (e-208, Corsa-e, ë-C4…)
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Tesla Model 3 / Model Y
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Tesla Model S / Model X
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Toyota bZ4X
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Volvo EX30
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40)
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric
- Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)
Maintenance parts for the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron
The parts replaced at services and when the timing belt or chain is changed, searched for this engine. Confirm the part number with the registration plate or VIN.
Oil filter
Air filter
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. More information
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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
- Audi e-tron (2018) - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
- 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
- ADAC-Pannenstatistik zu E-Autos: Die 12-Volt-Batterie ist das größte ProblemWinFuture · General press · published 28 June 2021 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
- ADAC Pannenstatistik 2026: Immer mehr Elektroauto-Pannen wegen Batterieproblemenauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published 10 March 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
- Audi e-tron: recalls (car-recalls.eu)car-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026