This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
In September 2022, I contacted the dealership to schedule my 50k service after observing a yellow battery light indicator flash on and then resolve itself by turning off. The mileage on my Q8 was approximately 44K at this time. I was also experiencing a passenger seatbelt warning issue despite no one in the passenger seat. The soonest the Audi service department could get me scheduled was on February 14, 2023. This has been an issue with Audi service departments at least the past 2 years. Since scheduling, I've experienced the warning issues several times On Thursday, February 2, 2023, I got a flashing yellow battery light in addition to other warnings that flashed on and then off. Because of this, I decided to take my car to the dealership for an emergency service on Friday, February 3, 2023, before traveling out of town the next week. While enroute to the dealership, the instrument panel alerted to an electrical system malfunction by displaying a yellow and then red battery icon. Multiple other warning lights for other systems malfunctioning displayed and the car stopped in traffic. My car was towed to the dealership. Once at the dealer, I was told that this was due to the generator failing and the part is on backorder due to being manufactured in Ukraine. The dealership stated this failure is apparently widespread, citing 56+ cars at this dealership and 100+ at the other with the same issue. Based upon this, the dealership informed me I qualified for the Audi USA buyback program and to contact them for a case number. When I called, I was told I had to wait 10 days to file or have had 3 reported incidents on record. On Februrary 14, 2023, I was told I did not qualify because my car was over 50k at the time it broke down. My mileage is 54,128. The issue began before 50k. I learned from the dealership, I qualify for the buyback because Audi extended the factory warranty on 1/31/2023 to include unlimited miles. I have an audio recording.
2019 Q8 with 48 V battery problem which causes the Alternator failing. The car is in shop for a month, without any ETA on parts coming in. Audi knew this issue without any plan B. My shop told me there are cars with same issue sitting in the dealship shop waiting for parts since Oct 2022. Today is Feb 10 2023.
Got Electrical System Malfunction to start. I called service and they said car was safe to drive. Continued driving got a fault for automatic start/Stop malfunction, followed by: Right lug nut loose Right brake light malfunction Parking brake malfunction Distance indicator malfunction Power Steering malfunction Drive train, malfunction. Car engine started hesitating and dash went totally blank. Car was hard to steer, luckily I live near the dealership. Dealer said there are 30 cars in their service department with the same problem. I am #3000 on Audis waitlist for parts to fix problem. 48 volt battery and alternator.
Electrical malfunction warning light. Vehicle stop and was steering wheel locked and then unlocked. Then stated ok to steer but steering was very hard. No power. Multiple systems fail warnings lights. Alternator is what they have stated. No part available. They currently (from what the service dealer states they have approximately 15 cars waiting). One dealer The issue is the in-operability of the car. Just stops which is highly worrisome.
My alternator failed with "electrical malfunction" alerts until the car decided to shut down on the highway with my newborn and wife. The bigger issue is I'm being told there is a national shortage for this part with no ETA on receiving the part and that it could be MONTHS until they receive the alternator replacement.My car is in dealership since Dec 6 2022. Today is 01.10.2023
While driving in heavy traffic on 12/23/22 the entire electrical system shut down and all power was lost. Fortunately I was not hit by another vehicle and coasted into a parking lot with no power. This is very dangerous. Per conversations with the dealership and with Audi (1/10/23), alternators on thousands of vehicles are failing (possibly due to a software issue). The vehicles are sitting on dealer lots and in driveways useless. Audi online forums confirm this as well. There are no alternators available. No recall has been issued and no warning of this unsafe situation has been made by Audi. Per the dealership, they are largely in the dark as well as there has been no meaningful communication by Audi. Someone will get hurt when their car dies on a highway. People are paying thousands for their cars to be undrivable. Audi dealers will not trade the vehicles because they are effectively worthless until repaired.
The Generator (Part #: 4N0903028P) failed causing the car to shutoff while driving. This is a known issue by Audi as it has issued a TSB. Further steps must be taken by the OEM to ensure safe operation of the vehicle by its owners. This is a safety issue that must be resolved soonest!
Vehicle lost all power and control while driving 45mph. First electrical system failure warning came on. Within 2 minutes the transmission slipped into neutral and 15 seconds later the vehicle lost power and I coasted to a stop. I was told by Audi dealership service that the starter generator failed. They mentioned they currently have over 20 vehicles in their shop and over 25 at their other location with the same problem. They also said over 1,000 cars nationwide had same problem and the part to repair is back ordered and no reasonable estimate of repair time.
Critical Failure - Alternator/48v Generator Issue in Audi Q8 Prestige. By now, I am well aware that the problem I'm experiencing is in the top 25 repair issues for Audi and currently there are 15,000 cars affected in the United States according to my dealer, waiting for these parts. Out of nowhere while driving on an interstate, at a high speed I got all mix of signals and the amount of time to react between the first sign that something is going wrong to the "stop operating the vehicle and pull over to the side message" and vehicle shut down, without ability to start is within just few minutes from each other. First I get a random battery error message. Battery light had popped on the dash panel. Then, system malfunction message, the whole array of different malfunctions. Noticed odd things like the auto start/stop not enabled and about 10 others error messages in regards to every system in the car. Then the speed sign sensor wasn't working, like limp mode, then the lane departure went, then the traction control system went, then the transmission something went off. I couldn't possibly make it to the dealer from that point, it was only few minutes and?It told me to pull over to the side.?Car would not start again, the panel wouldn't light up and only weird stuff, like windows would go up and down as I try to start the vehicle.? Had to tow vehicle to the dealer (Car is still under the original warranty). Was notified that the alternator is out and needs to be replaced. There is more to it, that part is on the back order all across the US and there is no estimate on when they're going to get it. No solution been provided and every dealership in the State has multiple vehicles awaiting for this same part.?
Driving down the road when sensors stopped working. Car read electrical system malfunction and engine shut down. Had to coast to the shoulder. This is a known safety issue, and should be completely recalled.
48v Starter Generator went bad. Vehicle shut down on the high way. I have been without my car for nearly a month as the part is on back order, and there is no ETA for the part.
Electric System Mal Function. The Car was flashing all signals. It asked to pull over and said there is a danger of car turning over. We called audi assistance. The tow truck driver could not load the car as the wheels were all locked up.
While driving, all the warnings came on the dash. "Electrical Malfunction", "Child seat belt malfunction", "Start/ stop malfunction", "Steering Wheel malfunction" "Power Brake malfunction" and when I came to a stop, the car completely stopped. I could not put it into neutral to push it out of the road so my car blocked a lane on a highway making it very dangerous. 2 service reps from 2 different Audi dealerships have confirmed that is this a known defect with the v48 generator/ alternator
An "Electrical System Malfunction" warning, check engine light and the battery light came on. Was informed to notify service. Few hours later multiple system failure started to appear. Dashboard went dark and I was unable to tell the speed of the vehicle. The window rolled down on it is own. After coming to a stop the vehicle was unable to start again. Dealer informed me the "affected parts" are being ordered. No further updates were available.
I was driving yesterday on a highway and the car completely shut down. Got stranded in the left lane with 4 kids in the car - could have been killed. I had previously brought the car into the dealer for a fuel pump related issue. Apparently there is a recall but they don't even have the part to fix it.
The spare tire is stored deflated and must be inflated for use. The factory tire pump overloads the circuit and blows a fuse. For all practical purposes, my vehicle was shipped without a spare tire which is a significant safety and security issue. This failure has occurred twice during roadside emergencies (loss of tire pressure). My dealer technician confirmed and recreated the circuit overload but offered no 'fix'. There are reports in online forums of similar experiences and the 'fix' appears to be replacement of the factory tire pump. My dealer has not been cooperative / timely with this proposed 'fix'.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pflugerville, TX, USA