Water leaking from sunroof drains to interior of cabin. Water getting electronics wet and filling up where the battery sits as well. Both driver side and passenger side. Vehicle has numerous electrical problems such as: Vehicle auto start stop function failing (car not turning back on at traffic light) Emergency indicators not working infotainment crashing
Audi Q8 start-stop problems
15 of the 206 owner complaints about the Audi Q8 describe start-stop system problems, most of them for the 2019 model year.
- owner complaints
- 15
- worst model year
- 2019
- typical mileage
- 4,000
By model year
- 20221
- 201914
Often reported together
Hesitation 3Jerking 2Won't start 1Water leak 1Won't shift 1Stalling 1Lane assist 1Key fob 1
What owners say
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Related recalls
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
- Risk
- An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
Recall number 25V201000 · Recall details
Questions about the Audi Q8 start-stop
Which Audi Q8 years have start-stop system problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2019 (14 complaints) and 2022 (1 complaints).
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