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Electrical systemPart report

2021 Audi Q8 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
43%of 30 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Audi Q8, 43% of the 30 complaints for this model year. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“When driving, my car had several red and yellow warning lights that came one - one for electrical system, the other for Vehicle starting malfunction and another was a battery sign. The vehicle also had delays starting. I was fearful the car would stop while driving (hopefully not on a highway or busy road) or I would be stranded somewhere because the vehicle would not start”

NHTSA complaint #11546114, filed 2023-09

“I had purchases a 2021 Audi Q8 from Carmax on 10/16/2024. There was a time that I was driving at 35 mph in the left lane which I had my signal on to proceed in the turning lane when the car went into park and the crash indicator was on. I was jerked by the force. I also notice when you turn the car on there was a knocking sound. I had taken the vehicle into Westmont Audi on 11/22/2024. They had checked it out and said the noise was normal. I advised them to do a complete inspection on the vehicle while it was under warranty to make sure there was no other issues. …”

NHTSA complaint #11642501, filed 2025-02

“The alternator was having malfunction in the middle of driving. At first, the system warned and showed Electric system malfunction with yellow lights on. As soon as I saw this warning, I drove to the nearest dealership which is about 15 mins drive. Two minutes before my wife and I arrived at the dealership, the car have many red lights warning turned on one by one. The system asked me to stop safely. And the entire system shut off by itself after we arrived at dealership. Luckily, we were able to drove the car to the service department. …”

NHTSA complaint #11559071, filed 2023-12

“Purchased my car used from Volkswagen of west islip. After a few months I was doing regular maintenance when I noticed that the brake sensor was missing and the harness was tampered with. The brake wear sensor was removed from the front driver side and a small price of wire/ conductive material was inserted into the harness to trick the cars system into on seeing the sensor in a safe and working manner. This would prevent the cars system from alerting me when the brakes need to be replaced which could have resulted in resulted in a serious accident due to brake failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11672145, filed 2025-07

“While driving the 2021 Audi Q8, the warning lights for the Electrical system malfunction & Automatic vehicle starting system: malfunction appeared on the dashboard. My safety and others safety were at risk as this occurred while driving. In reviewing other concerns or complaints this is a reported issue to the Audi dealership. Audi Grapevine Service was immediately notified. Service informed me to do not drive the vehicle and to have it towed in immediately. Audi Grapevine Service also informed me they have 17 other vehicles with the same issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11554630, filed 2023-11

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20241252%
2023114%
20211343%
2020621%
20194440%

Other parts of the 2021 Audi Q8

Engine
6 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
5 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
3 complaints
Other or unknown
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Lane departure
2 complaints
Brakes
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints
Vehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Audi Q8

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology