I was driving home from work when all of a sudden I got error messages: Electrical system malfunction! Please contact service; Start/ stop system: malfunction! Function unavailable. Please contact Service, yellow battery light and the car died. None of the safety features, locks, engine, or air condition worked and the car had to be towed to the dealership. Within 1 mile of the lights appearing the car died, putting my safety and those on the road at risk. I left in the middle of the street and had it towed a few hours later. I spoke to the dealership and was diagnosed and confirmed as a alternator- starter-generator issue and reading the Audi threads it is a common issue. The car has about 38,000 miles. I am the second owner and have had the car for less than 6 months and it has been well maintained.

- Stow, OH, USA

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.?

- Nottingham , NH, USA

The car will unpredictably lose all power for 2-3 seconds. This has more than once nearly caused a fatal accident!!!!!!! the manufacturer is aware of the problem but unable or refusing to fix it. Please save lives today and recall the car.

- Great Neck, NY, USA

There is a noticeable throttle lag (hesitation) when the auto start/stop feature is enabled, and the car comes out of a rolling stop (ex. When making a left turn). Disabling the auto start/stop feature or selecting sport mode negates the issue.

- Evanston, IL, USA

Excessive and dangerous delay in throttle response due to auto start/stop system causing vehicle to coast when slowing down at a yield sign or intersection etc before transmission re-engages. The vehicle is powerless for several seconds despite application of gas pedal, causing oncoming traffic to potential collide with "stalled" Q8. This is a major design defect in the auto start/stop system and occurs every time the system is active.

- Park City, UT, USA

Start/stop system has nearly caused two major accidents for me. Turning left at an intersection with approaching traffic and plenty of time under normal circumstances to proceed......push accelerator and 2 to 3 second hesitation (turbo lag). Car does not move. There is no way to permanently disable this defective system in the Audi Q8.

- Saint Helena Island, SC, USA