2019 Audi Q8: start-stop system problems

Filed Jan 26, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · TX

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.

Filed Dec 22, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · NH

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.Â

Filed Jul 7, 2021 · Engine · UT

The auto start/stop feature of this vehicle is horrible, on several occasions I've almost gotten into an accident turning at an intersection. The engine loses power for 2-3 seconds despite pushing the gas pedal all the way down. I've also scared pedestrians at cross walks on several occasions when the vehicle is at a full stop but then suddenly lunges forward at them. The sensors on this vehicle are also very faulty. The ones that are supposed to open the rear hatch do not work despite me waving my feet and hands under them for several seconds at a time. The key fob also doesn't open the rear hatch like it's supposed to. And the sensors to detect objects around the perimeter go off all the time without any apparent reason. I've had the vehicle in for multiple service visits and none of these issues have been resolved.

Filed Mar 7, 2020 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · TN

Auto start/stop is so laggy when re'starting the engine, especially at large crossings w heavy traffic or roundabouts. I had almost 5 accidents in the past year because you anticipate oncoming traffic and from experience you know you can easily turn or go, and then you just roll a bit and there is nothing happening and you have no chance to do anything.

Filed Feb 26, 2020 · Transmission · 15,000 miles · GA

Auto start/stop is turning off the engine and putting the car in neutral before the vehicle is completely stopped. If you need to accelerate suddenly to clear an intersection, it takes a few seconds for it to start back up and move the vehicle. Like most people do, the throttle gets pressed harder in the hopes of the vehicle moving. By the time the vehicle starts back up I'm 3/4 to the floor with the throttle which causes the vehicle to take off like a rocket. This is overly aggressive start stop is dangerous. It should operate like other systems and not shut off the engine until it is at a complete stop. I have taken my concerns to my local dealer and they tell me that it is operating as designed.

Filed Feb 25, 2020 · Transmission · 2,000 miles · FL

There is a significant lag in the power train of the audi q8 after breaking to a coasting speed and then attempting to accelerate again. The gas pedal is completely unresponsive for 2-3 seconds during this time. Dangerous delay in throttle response due to auto start/stop or mild-hybryd systems and 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. Already reported to audi service but they said it's normal, which I totally disagree

Filed Jan 27, 2020 · Transmission · 4,500 miles · TX

The vehicles auto start/stop feature puts the driver in compromising situations when power is demanded from the accelerator after an engine power-down. The engine does ignite timely, (as soon as the brake pedal is released) but the delivery of moving power is delayed (lag period) following an auto "shut-off and leaves the vehicle in compromising situations where no power can be demanded from the drivetrain. When this delay period (lag) has passed, and power is finally transferred to the wheels, the vehicle expels the demanded energy forcefully, jerking you forward. I find this to be a safety concern particularly for left hand (yield) turns where accelerator responsiveness is critical both the passengers of the vehicle and oncoming traffic. Audi dealership checked open campaigns, recalls but "cannot replicate" customers concern. They did however, train me on how to "disengage" the auto start/stop feature, but this needs to be done at every startup. (if there is no problem, why disengage it?) audi experience center (1‑800‑822‑2834) says they rely on the judgment of their service centers and cannot provide further guidance.

Filed Jan 27, 2020 · Transmission · 4,500 miles · TX

Auto start/stop feature kills engine prior to vehicle being completely stopped resulting in the driver not applying enough brake "force" to keep the vehicle stationary after the engine's re-ignition. When the engine subsequently starts, the the vehicle is jerked forward and the driver needs to re-apply additional brake force to the pedal in order to keep the vehicle stationary. This is a safety concern as the driver is mislead to have "complete control" of the vehicle when brining it stationary the first time, then subsequently having to rely on "quick reflexes" to counteract vehicle behavior to avoid collision (from the vehicle in front of you, or from intersecting traffic). Audio dealership performed search of open campaigns & recalls. None currently available for this model. Service center paperwork indicates "could not replicate customers concern", but I was provided extensive training on how to 'disengage' the auto start/stop feature (if there's no problem, why disengage it?). Audi customer experience (1‑800‑822‑2834) is unable to provide additional guidance and relies on their service centers to have the final word in vehicle issue resolution.

Filed Jan 26, 2020 · Transmission · 3,000 miles · MI

As reported by others, if the car does not quite come to a complete stop and one accelerates, there is a several second delay as the engine seems to bog down. This is related to the auto stop/start system as this delay does not happen if the auto start stop is disabled.

Filed Sep 2, 2019 · Transmission · 4,000 miles · IN

Dangerous lag/pause in throttle response when acceleration is needed. When coming to a rolling or almost complete stop, the auto start/stop system is enabled. If I go to turn/accelerate there can be several seconds of time lag between pressing on the accelerator and any throttle response. It is dangerous at times when pulling onto a street and the car will not respond after a few seconds. Additional throttle pressure does not induce a throttle response, and suddenly the car will surge ahead. This is not an isolated incident and and seems related to transmission programming when the auto stop/start system is engaged, which it is by default. The dealer says the car is working as designed. This is dangerous when making cross-traffic left turns because of the unpredictable delay. The date noted below is just today's date, since this situation may (and does) occur)anytime under the specified circumstances/conditions.

Filed Aug 28, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 11 miles · IL

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.

Filed Jun 26, 2019 · Transmission · 50 miles · DC

My gorgeous new audi q8 has a dangerous hesitation issue when acceleration from a full start with auto start/stop enabled. The issue is described thoroughly in the article @ https://techcrunch.com/2019/06/10/review-the-stunning-2019-audi-q8-has-a-deal-breaking-flaw/. Accelerator response is very inconsistent such that you can't count on the car accelerating in a consistent manner. It either hesitates or surges forward. Turning auto start/stop does improve performance, but one must remember to turn it off every time you start the vehicle. I got my q8 2 months ago. I tried to learn how to predict acceleration from a standstill, but gave up after almost getting into an accident while changing lanes around a car at a red light. I took it to the dealer who says audi has not issued any service bulletins to resolve this issue and the problem was not happening at the time of this test drive.