2019 Audi Q8 Electrical System Problems

- Vehicle: 2019 Audi Q8, VIN [XXX] - Recall: Campaign 25V900 (90TV), Rearview Camera Software - Dealer: Audi Marin, 700 Francisco Blvd W, San Rafael CA, BAR# XXX - What happened: Recall attempted April 1, 2026. Technician logged Error 005A — communication failure with front driver assistance — on RO #XXX. Vehicle returned with rearview camera non-functional and driver assistance systems unavailable. - Current status: Dealer claims recall was performed. Rearview camera remains non-functional. The specific defect the recall addresses is present in the vehicle. - Dealer conduct: Dealer is attempting to charge $345 diagnostic fee for damage introduced during the recall attempt, claiming fault is pre-existing. No documentation supports pre-existing claim. Dealer's own intake inspection (January 15) recorded systems as functional. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I was driving home from work when all of a sudden I got error messages: Electrical system malfunction! Please contact service; Start/ stop system: malfunction! Function unavailable. Please contact Service, yellow battery light and the car died. None of the safety features, locks, engine, or air condition worked and the car had to be towed to the dealership. Within 1 mile of the lights appearing the car died, putting my safety and those on the road at risk. I left in the middle of the street and had it towed a few hours later. I spoke to the dealership and was diagnosed and confirmed as a alternator- starter-generator issue and reading the Audi threads it is a common issue. The car has about 38,000 miles. I am the second owner and have had the car for less than 6 months and it has been well maintained.

Electrical malfunction displayed on dashboard with every system in the car shutting down within seconds. I was stranded on the freeway shoulder. Maybe an issue with the alternator.

While driving down the freeway to the dealership a electrical system malfunction message came across the display. I continued on to the dealership and suddenly started getting system failures. One by one it popped up and said every single system failure including brakes and steering system malfunctions. Then it said transmission malfunction and I immediately lost all forward propulsion. The engine just revved when I hit the gas. I had to fight my way over to the shoulder where the vehicle came to a stop and would not even let me set the parking brake or engage park. I sat I the vehicle on the freeway between an on ramp and the moving lanes until the tow truck showed up. The failure turned out to be the alternator which I'm told is a very common issue for most audi vehicles. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and they replaced the alternator at no charge due to an extended warranty already granted on the failing alternators. The repair was made and vehicle was returned but the same alternator was put into the vehicle that was in it originally as it has not been updated. This created a major safety risk as power was lost while traveling at freeway speeds.

Car showed “electrical system malfunction” while driving. Said that the start/stop system failed. Proceeded to say that the rear brake light not functioning while driving, which would pose a safety risk to all drivers and myself.

Purchased in 12/22. Electrical System Malfunction was alerted on 11/7/2023. On 11/8/2023 car shut off, and would not start again. Battery is completely dead, and mechanic says it’s an Alternator issue. Part is on international back order for at least 2 months. Audi knows of this issue and is still selling these cars. Will not provide loaner, and has multiple vehicles sitting on lot waiting for part.

Alternator/generator failure at 55910 miles

While driving the vehicle to work, several warnings came on saying there was a system issue and to pull to a safe spot. The car was pulled off the main traveling lane into a turning lane where it died. The electrical system did not work at all. The hazard lights could not be put on. The prior day the auto stop light came on saying there was a malfunction with that. The dealer was contacted. They said it was fine to drive. The car is currently at the dealership.

Electrical malfunction warning light and assorted other warning lights came on during acceleration on highway. Loss of car functions due to error. Car is waiting on parts due to failed belt start generator as part of its 48 volt mild hybrid system.

While driving 35 mph car electrical system started to shutdown. Red warning message came on immediately followed by car turning off while in drive and car was moving.

I have a 2019 Audi Q8 with 39k miles. I just received an indication stating that an electrical issue has occurred and to contact service maintenance. While on my way home from work with the electrical issue active the air conditioning stopped working which appeared to be unusual. I was able to still drive the vehicle home. I then searched on Google about the issue and read numerous complaints through various forums regarding the issue. Most of these issue were similar to my experience. Also these complaints were around the same year and mileage of my vehicle. Please help to have Audi resolve this issue.

Car started flashing all kinds of warnings, then cut off and had to coast to the side of the highway. Then could not get out of the car and the entire system was in complete failure so the doors would not open. Absolutely terrifying experience. Audi knows this is a bad issue and it keeps happening to thousands of Audi owners with the mild hybrid system.

Alternator/Ignition Generator died while driving vehicle causing vehicle to die in the middle of the road.

2019 Q8 with 48 V battery problem which causes the Alternator failing. The car is in shop for a month, without any ETA on parts coming in. Audi knew this issue without any plan B. My shop told me there are cars with same issue sitting in the dealship shop waiting for parts since Oct 2022. Today is Feb 10 2023.

2019 Audi Q8. The car is back in the Dealer Shop for almost 2 months. We don't really know what is wrong with the main issue on ALTERNATOR OR 48 V battery problems. And the excuse Service gave us is No ETA on the Parts From Germany. They have new cars coming in and they don't have parts coming in??. We are stuck in the middle, can't trade in or sell our cars. Right now this Q8 is a huge junk without any functional purpose. Some of the owners have been waiting for this fix for 3, 4 months. The government really should step in to find out what is going on on AUDI. It can't be parts shortage. It is some problem what AUDI simply can't fix. AUDI USA is also very unreliable. They direct us to our individual dealer, saying they can't do anything about it. They don't take any responsibly. We have no one to file complaint to.Most of the cars are still in the warranty, it is simply unbelievable.

Electrical malfunction warning light. Vehicle stop and was steering wheel locked and then unlocked. Then stated ok to steer but steering was very hard. No power. Multiple systems fail warnings lights. Alternator is what they have stated. No part available. They currently (from what the service dealer states they have approximately 15 cars waiting). One dealer The issue is the in-operability of the car. Just stops which is highly worrisome.

The car completely shut down in the middle of traffic with an electrical system malfunction and safety system malfunction.

While driving in heavy traffic on 12/23/22 the entire electrical system shut down and all power was lost. Fortunately I was not hit by another vehicle and coasted into a parking lot with no power. This is very dangerous. Per conversations with the dealership and with Audi (1/10/23), alternators on thousands of vehicles are failing (possibly due to a software issue). The vehicles are sitting on dealer lots and in driveways useless. Audi online forums confirm this as well. There are no alternators available. No recall has been issued and no warning of this unsafe situation has been made by Audi. Per the dealership, they are largely in the dark as well as there has been no meaningful communication by Audi. Someone will get hurt when their car dies on a highway. People are paying thousands for their cars to be undrivable. Audi dealers will not trade the vehicles because they are effectively worthless until repaired.

On 12/12/2022 I was driving and the Q8 lost power and I coasted to a stop. All lights on driver panel were flashing or sequencing through. After sitting on the side of the road for 5 or so minutes I tried starting the car again. This time it started and I drove another 8 miles almost to my home when the car again just died in the road. This time I couldn't get it to restart. I had to have it towed to my local garage as my dealership was an hour and fifteen minutes away. The car has been diagnosed with needing an alternator, which no one including the dealerships have because this is a problem with many vehicles. It has now been over two months without my car.

My alternator failed with "electrical malfunction" alerts until the car decided to shut down on the highway with my newborn and wife. The bigger issue is I'm being told there is a national shortage for this part with no ETA on receiving the part and that it could be MONTHS until they receive the alternator replacement.My car is in dealership since Dec 6 2022. Today is 01.10.2023