2024 Audi Q4 e-tron: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, steering, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2024- Owner complaints
- 20
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes reported
- 2
- 2 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2024 Audi Q4 e-tron: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
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.
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2024 Audi Q4 e-tron, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical111 crash
Sudden shutdowns, no-starts and repeated warning messages dominate these reports. Many begin within the first few hundred miles or the first two months. Cars turn off while idling or driving, refuse to go into gear, or fail to charge. Dashboards show electrical system, safety system or pedestrian sound alert malfunctions. Some owners describe hard braking from a stop with no input, or unintended acceleration. One report involves a crash with 2 injuries. The SOS system can also place emergency calls on its own. Several complaints describe waiting for a recall repair whose parts were not yet available. Dealers often could not fix the faults.
Steering21 crash
Loss of control and total electrical failure are the two problems reported here. In the crash report, the car accelerates on its own at low speed, spins, and does not respond to the brake pedal or the steering wheel before it hits an embankment. The second report describes a parked car losing every electronic system at once, including the brakes, windows and mirrors. It needed a jump-start of the 12-volt auxiliary system before it could be moved. That report names a 2022 model year.
Transmission2No crashes
Sudden shutdowns linked to the driver's seat sensor and recurring all-wheel-drive warnings make up these reports. Shifting in the seat, such as turning to look back while reversing, can make the car stop abruptly and power off. Restarting can take up to two minutes, which has left cars stranded in intersections. One dealer called this a common complaint with no fix. Another report describes AWD malfunction warnings that persist after three dealer visits, along with biometric entry and remote functions that fail.
Wheels and tires2No crashes
Tread separation and a blowout are the two tire problems reported. In one case, large chunks of rubber pull away from the tread at 13k miles, and the dealer says it has seen the problem before on that tire. The other involves a Bridgestone Alenza in size 255/45/R20 that blew out after a "Tire Pressure Lost" warning at about 114,630 miles. All four tires were replaced after that failure.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Q4 e-tron owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Car had electrical malfunction warning please contact costumer support and car died and zero damage to the body or the car. But the side air bags faulty went off. This car had a prior recall on file for same issues of car dying off and clerical problems. I got this car in September 2025 and had issue with it within the second month of having this car. I was not told there was a prior recall at all.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2025
Our Audi has 13k miles. We noticed large chunks of rubber pulling away on the treads with pieces large enough to put our finger into. The dealer says they have seen this problem before with this tire
Filed with NHTSA, October 2025
How the 2024 compares with other Q4 e-tron years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2024 has the most owner complaints of the 2 Q4 e-tron years we cover, about 6.7 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical112
- Steering20
- Transmission20
- Wheels and tires20
Where the 2024 fits in the Q4 e-tron's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2024 is the third model year of the Q4 e-tron's first generation (2022–2024).
Audi updated the Q4 e-tron for 2026, so a 2024 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2026 (not on a 2024)
- Sportier front design
- New front grilles
- Added display in the interior
- New trim options
- Increased range
Recalls to confirm (3)
Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V125000ElectricalFeb 2025
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 AUDI Q4 E-Tron SUV, AUDI Q4 E-Tron Sportback, and 2024 ID.4 vehicles. The on-board charger (OCDC) may fail and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the OCDC, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 20, 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 93CJ. Audi's number for this recall is 93FR.
24V361000Exterior lightsMay 2024
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.
23V842000ElectricalDec 2023
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.
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2024 owner complaints, side by side
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