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Audi2019–2024 Critical issues documented

Audi e-tron: common faults & what to check

Thinking about buying a used Audi e-tron (2019–2024) in New Zealand? We've documented 5 known faults for this model spanning electrical, engine, suspension, and body & rust. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Every one is listed below with its symptoms and repair cost, and each has its own page with where to look and what to ask the seller. Free, no account needed.

Check this exact Audi e-tron

  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

Type the plate for the free basics. The full record is a paid check from $13.49, one car at a time, no subscription.

No NZ plate yet, or buying in Australia? Pick the generation and engine and start a free check below. New to KickTyres? How the check works →

5

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$500–$7,000

Typical repair

4

Systems covered

Which Audi e-tron are you looking at?

2 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Which engine is in it? These cover every year of this model.

EV 71kWh· electricEV 95kWh· electric

Start your free check on this Audi e-tron

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Audi e-tronEngine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the e-tron came with 2, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

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Can't confirm for this car

Audi e-tron

Nothing has been narrowed yet, so nothing below is a claim about a particular car. Pick a year and an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

matched on no vehicle context

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Audi e-tron before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Serious issue

    On the test drive, accelerate hard with the radio off and listen for a whine from either axle that rises with speed.

    See why

    Drive motor coolant seal failure destroying the motor (APA250 front / AKA320 rear drive units)

    The e-tron's liquid-cooled rotor design runs coolant through the motor shaft, sealed by a ceramic mechanical seal. When that seal micro-fractures, coolant leaks into the stator and gearbox and destroys the motor windings - a failure documented across 2019-2021 builds in particular, estimated by specialists to affect a low single-digit percentage of cars. The earliest warning is a high-pitched whine that grows with acceleration, followed by drivetrain malfunction warnings and loss of drive. Audi extended motor warranty coverage in some overseas markets, but NZ/AU buyers outside the standard warranty face a five-figure drive unit replacement, though EV specialists now offer cheaper permanent seal repairs.

    What you would notice

    • High-pitched whine rising with speed
    • 'Electric drivetrain malfunction' warning
    • Unexplained coolant loss
    • Loss of drive

    Typically $8,000–$18,000 to put right.

  • Serious issue

    Run the VIN through vehiclerecalls.gov.au (or an Audi dealer for NZ cars) and confirm every battery-related campaign is closed.

    See why

    High-voltage battery fire risk - moisture ingress and defective cell modules (multiple recalls)

    The e-tron has had a series of high-voltage battery recalls in Australia. Early cars were recalled overseas in 2019 because moisture could enter the battery through the charge-port wiring harness; later, REC-005881 (2022-2023 cars) addressed battery housing sealing that degrades and lets moisture in, and REC-005977 (2020-2024 cars) covered defective cell modules that can short-circuit and cause a thermal overload and fire, with owners told to limit charging to 80 per cent until repaired (REC-005926 gave the same interim guidance for 2018-2022 cars). Remedies are free - inspection, sealing or module/battery replacement - but an unrepaired car carries both a fire risk and a charging restriction, so recall status is the single most important paperwork check on a used e-tron.

    What you would notice

    • Manufacturer letter or dealer notice about battery recall
    • Charging limited to 80%
    • HV battery warning messages
    • Isolation/insulation fault warnings after rain or washing

    Typically $0–$35,000 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    View the car before it is driven that day and check it sits level.

    See why

    Adaptive air suspension compressor failure and strut leaks

    All e-tron 55 models ride on standard adaptive air suspension, and it carries typical air-suspension aging: compressors fail (noted especially on earlier builds), and individual air struts develop leaks - often first showing in cold or damp conditions - causing the car to sag with a 'suspension malfunction' warning. The car is very heavy for its class, which works the system hard. Per-corner strut replacement plus a compressor is a significant combined bill, so check ride-height behaviour cold.

    What you would notice

    • Car sitting low at one corner or overall after parking
    • 'Suspension malfunction' warning
    • Compressor running long after start-up
    • Ride height slow to recover

    Typically $1,200–$5,000 to put right.

See all 5 documented issuesEverything researched for the Audi e-tron, including 2 rated critical.
Depends on which engine this Audi e-tron has — 5Each of these is documented for one particular engine. Pick the year and engine above to see which of them apply.
Engine, transmission & cooling1

01Drive motor coolant seal failure destroying the motor (APA250 front / AKA320 rear drive units)

On the test drive, accelerate hard with the radio off and listen for a whine from either axle that rises with speed.ev2019 onwardEngine
OccasionalEngine $8,000–$18,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The e-tron's liquid-cooled rotor design runs coolant through the motor shaft, sealed by a ceramic mechanical seal. When that seal micro-fractures, coolant leaks into the stator and gearbox and destroys the motor windings - a failure documented across 2019-2021 builds in particular, estimated by specialists to affect a low single-digit percentage of cars. The earliest warning is a high-pitched whine that grows with acceleration, followed by drivetrain malfunction warnings and loss of drive. Audi extended motor warranty coverage in some overseas markets, but NZ/AU buyers outside the standard warranty face a five-figure drive unit replacement, though EV specialists now offer cheaper permanent seal repairs.

Symptoms to notice

  • High-pitched whine rising with speed
  • 'Electric drivetrain malfunction' warning
  • Unexplained coolant loss
  • Loss of drive

What to check

  1. On the test drive, accelerate hard with the radio off and listen for a whine from either axle that rises with speed.
  2. Check the coolant reservoir level and ask whether it has ever needed topping up.
  3. Ask directly whether either drive motor has been replaced or repaired, and get any drivetrain warning history scanned before purchase.

Where to look: Electric drive units on the front and rear axles

Ask the seller

  • “Has either drive motor ever been replaced or repaired?”
  • “Has the car ever shown a drivetrain malfunction warning or lost coolant?”
  • “Is there any remaining warranty on the drive units?”
Electrical2

01High-voltage battery fire risk - moisture ingress and defective cell modules (multiple recalls)

Run the VIN through vehiclerecalls.gov.au (or an Audi dealer for NZ cars) and confirm every battery-related campaign is closed.ev2019–2024Electrical
RareElectrical $0–$35,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The e-tron has had a series of high-voltage battery recalls in Australia. Early cars were recalled overseas in 2019 because moisture could enter the battery through the charge-port wiring harness; later, REC-005881 (2022-2023 cars) addressed battery housing sealing that degrades and lets moisture in, and REC-005977 (2020-2024 cars) covered defective cell modules that can short-circuit and cause a thermal overload and fire, with owners told to limit charging to 80 per cent until repaired (REC-005926 gave the same interim guidance for 2018-2022 cars). Remedies are free - inspection, sealing or module/battery replacement - but an unrepaired car carries both a fire risk and a charging restriction, so recall status is the single most important paperwork check on a used e-tron.

Symptoms to notice

  • Manufacturer letter or dealer notice about battery recall
  • Charging limited to 80%
  • HV battery warning messages
  • Isolation/insulation fault warnings after rain or washing

What to check

  1. Run the VIN through vehiclerecalls.gov.au (or an Audi dealer for NZ cars) and confirm every battery-related campaign is closed.
  2. Ask whether battery modules or the pack have been replaced and get the paperwork.
  3. Ask if the car has ever been charge-limited to 80 per cent and whether that restriction has been lifted.

Where to look: High-voltage battery pack under the cabin floor; charge port wiring on the front quarter

Ask the seller

  • “Are all high-voltage battery recalls completed on this VIN?”
  • “Have any battery modules been replaced?”
  • “Is the car currently restricted to 80% charging?”

02Charging system faults - errors preventing charging, onboard charger and 12V issues

ev2019 onwardElectrical
OccasionalElectrical $500–$7,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Charging faults are among the most common e-tron complaints: cars refuse to start an AC charge, throw charging-system errors mid-session, or stop accepting a charge until rebooted, and early cars also suffered 12V battery drain that mimics bigger failures. Some cases are fixed by software updates, others need charge-port or onboard-charger hardware. What Car?'s used review and US lemon-law firms both single out charging faults as a leading e-tron issue, so a full charge test on both AC and DC is a worthwhile pre-purchase step.

Symptoms to notice

  • Charging session fails to start or stops early
  • Charging error messages on the display or app
  • Charge port door or lock faults
  • Flat 12V battery / car won't wake

What to check

  1. Ask the seller to demonstrate the car charging on an AC wallbox or portable charger during the viewing, and check the service history for charging-related visits.
  2. Confirm all software updates are done.
  3. If possible, verify a recent successful DC fast-charge session in the car's charging history or myAudi app.

Where to look: Charge ports on the front quarter panels; onboard charger and 12V battery within the body

Parts involved: 12V battery.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the car ever refused to charge or thrown charging errors?”
  • “Has the onboard charger, charge port or 12V battery been replaced?”
  • “Can you show it charging today?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior2

01Adaptive air suspension compressor failure and strut leaks

View the car before it is driven that day and check it sits level.ev2019 onwardSuspensionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02Water leaks into cabin and boot - sunroof, windscreen header and tailgate

ev2019 onwardBody & Rust
OccasionalBody & Rust $200–$2,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

A recurring e-tron complaint is water finding its way inside: through the panoramic sunroof and its drains, at the windscreen header where the mirror mounts, into the passenger footwell, and from the tailgate seal into the boot. In an EV, water tracking into footwells and electronics is more than a nuisance - owners have reported damaged modules and mouldy trim, and US lemon-law cases have cited leak damage. Check for dampness after rain or a hose test before buying.

Symptoms to notice

  • Damp carpet in the front footwells
  • Water marks on the headliner around the sunroof or mirror
  • Wet boot floor or damp smell
  • Condensation inside the glass

What to check

  1. Lift the boot floor and check for water or rust stains around the spare-well area, press the front footwell carpets for dampness, and inspect the headliner around the sunroof and mirror for water staining.
  2. A musty smell on opening the doors is the giveaway.
  3. Ask whether the sunroof drains have ever been cleaned or the tailgate seal replaced.

Where to look: Panoramic sunroof and drains, windscreen header, front footwells, tailgate seal and boot floor

Ask the seller

  • “Has the car ever had a water leak repaired?”
  • “Have the sunroof drains been cleaned, and has the headliner ever been wet?”

Audi e-tron faults in detail

Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

Adaptive air suspension compressor failure and strut leaksMajor · Suspension

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Audi e-tron’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Audi models

Audi A445 documented faultsAudi A343 documented faultsAudi A634 documented faultsAudi A525 documented faultsAudi Q520 documented faultsAudi S318 documented faults

Audi e-tron buyer questions

Is the Audi e-tron reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 5 documented faults for the Audi e-tron, the recurring problem areas are electrical, engine, and suspension. A Audi e-tron with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Audi e-tron?

We've catalogued 5 known faults for the Audi e-tron, covering electrical, engine, and suspension. All 5 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Audi e-tron?

Most single repairs on the Audi e-tron fall between $500–$7,000 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 5 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Audi e-tron?

Yes. A Audi e-tron inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.