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 2023-11Related recalls
- 25V201000Mar 31, 2025Volkswagen 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…Covers: Audi Q8 2021, A6 Allroad 2021, SQ8 2021 +11 more
Related service bulletins
- 11038127Sep 23, 2026This bulletin provides information when there is a warning message in the instrument cluster about external sound.
- 11038046Sep 23, 2026This bulletin provides information regarding driver assist systems; Audi adaptive light, Audi pre sense system fault, adaptive cruise assist inop (DTC C12D5FA).
- 11038030Sep 23, 2026This bulletin provides information when DTC C12BFF0 is stored in the lane change modeul or the radar sensor; intersection assist/lane change assist are inoperable.
- 11038032Sep 18, 2026This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.
- 11038040Sep 15, 2026This bulletin provides general information about SOS Emergency Assist.
- 11038029Sep 15, 2026This bulletin provides information when there is an Audi pressense warning, warning jolt, and/or brake engagement.
- 11038028Sep 15, 2026This bulletin provides information when there is an Audi adaptive light system malfunction; DTC C12B3FA is stored in the control module for driver assistance systems.
- 11038061Sep 2, 2026This bulletin provides information regarding fault finding and repair information for electric tailgate.
- 11036973Aug 27, 2026This bulletin provides general information about the current tpp issues for Audi connect.
- 11036910Aug 26, 2026This bulletin provides informaitn when there is a warning messsage; "Instrument cluster: fault. Limited warning messages. Please contact workshop"; DTC B200096.
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2021 Audi Q8
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsLane departure
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsVehicle 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