Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, steering, and brakes. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 Audi e-tron: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Audi e-tron. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | AWD | 226 mi range |
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Audi e-tron, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Sudden acceleration at parking speed is the most serious pattern. Several reports describe the car surging into walls or other cars with the driver's foot on the brake, causing crashes and two injuries. Charging is the other big theme: a melted wall socket and burning plastic smell at home, failed home charging, and range cut to around 120 miles while owners wait weeks for a repair part. Other reports describe battery and SOS warnings, a highway shutdown, lost safety features, windows or the tailgate found open overnight, and a weak horn. Dealers often cannot reproduce the faults.
Driver-assist systems acting on their own drive most of these reports. They describe the car steering itself into a concrete lamp post base at about 10 mph and braking hard from 50 mph to a stop for traffic in the next lane, which nearly caused rear-end crashes. Some cars also shake unevenly under hard braking. Other owners see steering and electrical malfunction warnings several times a week that dealers cannot trace. One report describes a sudden loss of power at 20 mph, with the car dropping into park.
Weak or failing brakes appear in all three reports. One car needed the pedal pushed to the floor at 35 mph before it stopped, with ABS engaging on dry pavement, and the problem returned more than once. Another kept accelerating with the brake fully pressed and pushed two parked cars into each other. A failed brake servo locked one car in Drive with all wheels seized, so it could not shift and had to be moved by a tow truck with dollies.
Unintended acceleration at low speed while turning is the complaint in both reports, and both ended in crashes. The car lunges forward as the driver releases the brake or turns into a parking space, and braking does not stop it in time. One crash deployed the airbags, injured the driver, and totaled a car that was 11 days old. Owners also say the collision-avoidance system did not step in to prevent the impact.
Loss of drive power is the pattern here. The car stalls while driving, or fails to respond when the driver accelerates away from a stop, and no warning light comes on. One car rolled backward down an incline after stalling. One failure began at about 380 miles. Repairs are slow and uncertain: one dealer could not reproduce the fault but said the transmission needed replacing, and another spent 40 days on a repair that included a new front motor.
Sudden suspension failure is the theme of both reports. In one, a front ball joint broke at about 70 mph on the interstate and the driver lost control. That happened two weeks after a dealer said the same corner was safe to drive. In the other, the air suspension failed in normal city driving within the first year. The owner heard a loud thump, error messages appeared, and the car sat abnormally low to the ground.
Excerpts from complaints e-tron owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
There is an outstanding recall on my vehicle and Audi are not able to complete the recall for over 30 days. I am currently only able to charge the car to 70% for concern that the vehicle will catch fire. As a result the range of the vehicle has been reduced. I have contacted AudiUSA, who said it is not their issue but rather a problem with my dealer. My car's range has been reduced to 120 miles.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2024
1) Battery Icon Warning: Electrical system: malfunction! Please contact Service. 2) Triangle Icon with Exclamation Warning: Electric drive defective. Please contact your Audi service partner! 3) Charging not possible. A technical error occurred.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2023
Multiple alerts reported by the car's system for electrical malfunction and steering wheel dysfunction. These alerts keep coming at least 3 times a week. Car has been to the dealership, Audi of Raleigh who has inspected the car 3 times and unable to find the problem. It would seem that the elctric malfunction and steering malfunction would be safety risks to keep driving the car
Filed with NHTSA, May 2024
Pressing on brake but the car accelerated. Unable to stop, the vehicle pushed two other cars I to each other (they were parked, fortunately). Car came to rest and shit down. None of the safety features stopped the car from moving forward despite the brake pedal being pressed down all the way.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2024
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 8 e-tron years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the fifth model year of the e-tron's first generation (2019–2023).
It is also the first year of a mid-cycle update.
What changed for 2023
Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2023 RS E-TRON GT and E-TRON GT vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat cushion, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74HC.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 ID.4, 2022-2023 Audi Q4 e-Tron, and Q4 e-Tron Sportback vehicles. The instrument panel may not properly display the transmission gear lever indicator. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect.".
Risk: Failure to display the gear position may result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the brake control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 14, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97H3. Audi's number for this recall is 454R.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 E-TRON GT, and RS E-TRON GT vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module.
Risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery module increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software as the final remedy free of charge. For vehicles where on-line data is available (Audi recall number 931A), as an interim measure, the vehicles will be monitored through online data evaluation at no cost to owners. Where the online data shows a potentially critical battery module, the owner will be contacted and advised to only charge the vehicle up to 80% charging capacity until the affected module can be replaced at an authorized Audi dealer, free of charge. For vehicles where online-data is not available (Audi recall number 931B), as an interim measure, dealers will perform diagnostic procedures and, if necessary, replace battery module assemblies, free of charge. Owners of these vehicles will also be advised to only charge their vehicle up to 80% charging capacity, and the inspection may have to be repeated before the software becomes available. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi recall number 931A on July 24, 2025, and 931B was mailed on July 28, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbers for this recall are 931A and 931B. This recall expands and replaces previous recall numbers 24V-229, and 24V-228. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to have the new remedy completed.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Audi RS E-Tron GT and Audi E-Tron GT vehicles. The front axle brake hoses can develop tears, causing a leak and a brake circuit failure.
Risk: A failed brake circuit can cause longer brake pedal travel and reduced braking performance, extending the distance required to stop and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front axle brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 6, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47UP.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Q4 E-TRON and Q4 E-TRON Sportback vehicles. The incorrect headlight control module software may have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: Incorrect headlight control module software may cause the parking lights not to operate as intended when the headlights are turned on and the turn signals are activated, which can reduce vehicle visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the headlight control module with a new data set, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 941L.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Audi RS E-Tron GT and E-Tron GT vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery modules.
Risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery module increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. Dealers will, analyze the battery data and replace the high-voltage battery modules as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 21, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93VN.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Audi RS E-Tron GT and E-Tron GT vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery modules.
Risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery module increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. Dealers will replace the high-voltage battery modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 21, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93VM.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.
Risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbers for this recall are 93U6 and 93U8.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2023 Audi RS E-Tron GT and E-Tron GT vehicles. The high-voltage battery may have an insufficient amount of sealant, which can allow liquid to accumulate in the battery.
Risk: Liquid accumulation in the high voltage battery can cause electrical arcing, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will test the battery for leakage and replace the battery as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 30, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93T7.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Q4 E-Tron SUV and Q4 E-Tron Sportback vehicles. During deployment, the head curtain air bag could deform the door seal and expose the metal inlay within the seal, which could tear the air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 226, "Ejection Mitigation.".
Risk: In the event of a crash, a torn air bag cannot protect occupants as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will install cloth tape in the driver and front passenger B-pillar area, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69FA.
Cars shoppers compare with the Audi e-tron, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
