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Audi e-tron S quattro common faults.

2020–2023, SUV, electric, 503 HP.

The list covers this version.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

3 fault write-ups. All are important. 6 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

3 important faults

critical2

Audi e-tron (2019 to 2022): high voltage battery module, two recalls

critical

The first generation e-tron is covered by two official recalls because of the high voltage battery. Recall 19V434000 (Audi code 93E8) applies to the 2019 model year: Moisture can get into the high voltage system through a faulty seal on the charging socket, which can cause a short circuit and a fire. Recall 23V867000 affects some battery modules of the 2019 to 2022 e-tron quattro and the 2020 to 2022 Sportback quattro, which can overheat; the fix is installing monitoring diagnostic software and replacing modules if needed.

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This is the single most important check on a used e-tron. Both campaigns are free of charge, but they are only worth something if they were carried out, and the letters for the second campaign, issued at the end of 2023, were only posted in April 2025, so plenty of cars could simply have missed it.

What to check

  • Ask the franchised dealer by VIN whether there is an OPEN recall
  • Ask for written confirmation that the 93E8 and 23V867 campaigns were carried out
  • Look at the seal of the charging socket: cracks, a squashed or missing rubber
2 more steps in the write-up

Audi e-tron I: coolant inside the electric motor

critical

On early e-tron cars, mostly built in 2019, the internal seal of the electric motor can let through, and coolant gets into the motor, which is then beyond saving. The usual precursor is the electrical system warning light, then replacement of the front electric motor. According to the reports it affects a few per cent of the cars, but the repair is in the 7,000 to 10,000 euro range, and in Europe there is no extended motor warranty behind it of the kind American owners received.

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Cars built after 2021 got a revised seal, so the model year here is a real difference in risk, not just a question of price.

7,000–10,000 EUR

What to check

  • Prefer cars built after 2021 (revised seal)
  • With a code reader query the stored faults of the drivetrain and the cooling system too
  • Check the level and colour of the coolant, and look for traces of topping up
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive1

Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron: air suspension as a recurring cost

expensive

The e-tron and the Q8 e-tron come with adaptive air suspension. That is pleasant on the move, but standing still it is a wear item: the air spring bellows crack, the compressor tires, and the car settles overnight or stands lopsided. Alongside the 12 V battery, the reports list the air suspension among the items that come back regularly.

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Because of the 2.5 tonne mass it wears faster here than on a combustion Audi of similar age: that has to be built into the service budget.

What to check

  • Look at the car cold, after standing a night: has it settled
  • Raise it to the highest, then the lowest setting, and time it
  • Listen to the compressor: a compressor running long or loudly is worn
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Audi e-tron S quattro

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall6 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 20 December 2023

23V867000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY THERMAL:MANAGEMENT:SOFTWAREELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY THERMAL:MANAGEMENT:SOFTWARE20 December 2023 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2022 E-Tron Sportback Quattro and 2019-2022 E-Tron Quattro vehicles. Certain high-voltage battery modules may overheat.

Risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will install onboard diagnostic software to monitor battery module performance, and replace affected battery modules where necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 3, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbers for this recall are 93U9 and 93V2.

The authority's notice

21V569000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC26 July 2021 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 E-Tron Quattro and 2020-2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback Quattro vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.

Risk: Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 14, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47R1.

The authority's notice

A12/00504/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Alteration of the rear axle’s toe and/or camber values lead to increased and uneven wear on the rear tyres, and if worn down to its carcass may suffer a sudden loss of pressure. This can lead to loss of traction and may affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00667/22Safety recallFire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The fuse in the high-voltage (HV) system may have been produced with an insufficient amount of extinguishing sand. In the event of a short circuit in the high-voltage system, a voltage flashover could occur inside the vehicle and subsequently pose a risk of fire and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01365/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A weld on the brake booster may be defective, which could cause the brake booster, ABS and ESP to fail. This may lead to increased braking distance and to reduced manoeuvrability of the vehicle when braking, increasing the risk of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

INFO/00138/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The nuts on the eccentric bolt of the rear-axle spring-link control arm may break due to stress corrosion. As a result, the rear axle could move in the wrong direction, in an uncontrollable manner at high speeds.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

No engine and transmission for this yet. When they are in, you see them here.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
S quattro
Body
SUV
Fuel
electric
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
—
Power
370 kW (503 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2020–2023

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)
All I versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms