2021-2024 · Dual electric motors (476 hp / 350 kW) · 93.4 kWh battery
Premium electric grand tourer sharing platform with Porsche Taycan. Built on Volkswagen's J1 platform with 800V architecture for fast charging. Most issues are software-related and fixable via updates, but serious hardware problems exist: electric motor coolant leaks requiring full motor replacement (€10,000+), air suspension retaining ring failures, two-speed gearbox clunking, and battery fire risk recalls. Multiple recalls for brake hoses, airbag system, and infotainment. Low routine maintenance costs due to EV simplicity, but repair bills are expensive when things break.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
€800 - €1,400/year
15,000 km/year
Fixed costs
€300-600
Risk buffer
€500-800
What Can Break
bars = likelihood
Electric motor coolant seal failure€10,000 - €13,000
Rotor shaft seal deteriorates, coolant leaks into motor housing requiring complete motor replacement · more· less
The motors are liquid-cooled with a rotor shaft seal designed to keep coolant and electrical components separate. In some 2019-2021 builds, this seal can deteriorate or fail, causing coolant to seep into the motor housing. Once coolant ingress occurs, the entire motor needs replacing. Symptoms: "Electrical System Malfunction" warning, sudden loss of power, motor whining, or mysterious coolant loss. Dealers quote €10,000-13,000 for motor replacement. Repair time: 2-3 months due to parts availability from Germany. Early warning sign: coolant appearing in the small plastic catch reservoir. First check for visible coolant leaks before they destroy motor bearings. This affects both front and rear motors across e-tron platform vehicles.
MMI infotainment system freezing/crashing€0 - €2,500
MIB3 infotainment system freezes, reboots while driving, gets stuck on "Loading" screen · more· less
Owners widely report MMI infotainment glitches including screen freezing, delayed touchscreen response, Bluetooth drops, system rebooting at highway speeds, and getting stuck showing "Loading the system. Please wait..." In this state, radio, CarPlay, navigation, and Drive Select are all inaccessible. Some cases require hardware replacement (MMI control unit on backorder, high demand suggests widespread issue). Software updates at dealer can take 2-3 days, sometimes up to 2 weeks. Quick fix: press and hold volume knob for several seconds, or turn car off for 30+ minutes. Most issues resolve with dealer software updates (free under warranty), but MMI control unit replacement costs €2,000-2,500 if out of warranty.
Air suspension strut retaining ring failure€1,500 - €3,000
Retaining ring on suspension spring comes loose due to insufficient notch, causing air leak · more· less
Audi recalled e-tron GTs built September-October 2021 (106 vehicles total) because a retaining ring on top of the suspension strut can come loose, causing the pneumatic spring to lose air. Symptoms: warning message "Air suspension malfunction", one corner of car sits lower than others, extremely soft/bouncy ride making car feel unsafe to drive. The supplier has implemented process improvements to prevent this on newer production. Dealers inspect and replace struts with loose retaining rings. Cost for non-recalled vehicles: approximately €1,500-3,000 depending on how many struts affected.
Rear axle two-speed automatic transmission produces annoying clunk during shifts, whirring noise, metal shavings · more· less
The e-tron GT shares the Taycan's two-speed gearbox on the rear axle (unusual for EVs). Owners report "throttle lag" from standstill in Comfort mode, noticeable "clonk" and shudder during gear changes, and loud whining almost as loud as the pedestrian warning sound. Some dealers find metal shavings in gearbox (Technical Service Bulletin exists). Only 1 liter of gearbox fluid handles the EV's weight and instant torque. Worst cases: gearbox spontaneously shifting into N or P at slow speeds. Software updates sometimes help, but hardware failures require transmission replacement (€3,000-6,000). Fluid changes are relatively easy and inexpensive preventive maintenance. Many owners keep car in Dynamic mode to avoid the lag.
High-voltage battery module short circuit (fire risk)€0 (recall)
LG Energy Solution battery modules can develop internal short circuits increasing fire risk · more· less
Multiple recalls issued for 2022-2024 models with potentially faulty battery modules from LG Energy Solution. Individual cells can degrade over time, increasing risk of internal short circuits and potential thermal events (fires). First recall (93VM, May 2024) affected 2022-2023 models - owners told to charge only to 80% until battery modules replaced. Expanded recall (93VN, September 2024) covers 2022-2024 models (6,500 vehicles). Final remedy is advanced diagnostic software monitoring battery health via OTA update, expected Q1 2025. All repairs free under warranty. Critical: verify recall completion before purchasing used e-tron GT.
Front brake hose tearing/leaking€0 (recall)
Front axle brake hoses can't withstand normal deflection, develop tears causing fluid leak and brake circuit failure · more· less
Recall 47UP affects 9,653 e-tron GT models (2022-2024). Shared issue with Porsche Taycan due to J1 platform. Front brake hoses develop cracks in fabric material from normal bending/deflection. Symptoms: longer brake pedal travel, reduced braking performance, extended stopping distance. Investigation started September 2023, recall decided June 2024. Dealers replace front axle brake hoses free of charge. Owner notification letters mailed August 6, 2024. Verify completion before purchase - critical safety issue.
Throttle pedal going dead at traffic lights€0 - €500
Drivetrain fault causes throttle to become unresponsive after stopping, requires restart · more· less
Known issue where the throttle pedal becomes completely dead, especially after coming to a stop at traffic lights. Temporary workaround: turn the car off and on again to restore throttle response. Permanent fix: software update at dealer. Some cars also jump to Park or Neutral unexpectedly at stop signs or traffic lights. Related to "Drive system malfunction" message that can appear on dash. Worst case scenario requires new gearbox and coolant system, but most cases are resolved with software updates. Always test drive car for 20+ minutes including multiple stops to check for this issue.
Brake squeal and glazing€0 - €800
Mechanical brakes squeal like "squeaky duck" because regenerative braking prevents regular use · more· less
Very common complaint from owners: embarrassing brake squeal/creaking during stop-and-go traffic and when coming to complete stop. Cause: regenerative braking means mechanical brakes aren't used regularly with enough force, allowing surface rust to form and brake glazing to occur (common on performance brakes driven at low speeds). Forum fix that works: hit highway speed and slam on brakes hard to clean the rotors - squeal stops for ~6 months. Some cases resolved by brake recall for creaking pedal. If bedding-in procedure doesn't help, may need brake service to remove rust/glazing. Relatively minor issue but extremely annoying for daily driving.
12V battery powers computers and accessories, needs programming when replaced · more· less
Unlike ICE cars, the 12V battery in EVs is only powering computers and accessories, so less heavily taxed. E-trons have low parasitic drain so 5+ years battery life is normal. However, when replacement is needed, dealers charge €400-650 because battery must be programmed to the car (tells car what battery type installed, resets install date for monitoring degradation, configures auto Start/Stop system). Battery itself costs €300-400 (AGM Group 48 type). DIY possible with OBD ELEVEN dongle and software, but dealer service recommended to ensure all systems properly configured.
Interior rattles and build quality issues€100 - €800
Rattling plastic trim, console rattles, door rattles - quiet EV cabin amplifies every sound · more· less
Long-term owner report: "There were a few early issues – recalls, a brief SOS fault, noisy brakes and rattling plastic trim. Surprisingly, build quality doesn't feel as premium as on my older Audi TT and A1." Because EVs are so quiet, every little rattle is amplified - designing quiet cabin interior is difficult. Common complaints: console rattling, driver side door rattles, dashboard rattles. Forum opinions vary widely - some say "bank vault solid with not a single rattle," others disappointed compared to previous Audis. Speaker grille over tweeter on driver's door commonly buzzes (temporary fix: press elbow against it). Under warranty, dealer can address trim issues, but out of warranty repairs can be expensive for what's essentially cosmetic annoyance.
Battery degradation (5-10% over 3 years)€0 (warranty)
Normal aging causes 5-10% capacity loss in first 2-3 years, covered under 8-year/160,000km warranty if below 70% · more· less
Real-world data from e-tron GT owners: 2021 model at 2.5 years/20,000km showed 86% State of Health despite 99% AC charging to 80%. Another 2.5-year car at 15,000 miles showed 90.8% SoH. General consensus: newer battery management systems result in ~5% degradation over first few years, much better than initially predicted. Age appears more determining factor than mileage. Audi's 8-year/160,000km warranty covers battery if capacity falls below 70% threshold. High-speed DC fast charging increases degradation most - charge at home when possible. Cold weather can reduce efficiency 20-30% but doesn't permanently damage battery. Individual cells can be replaced by Audi-certified EV technician without replacing entire pack.
High-tech platform with software issues and expensive hardware repairs
The e-tron GT benefits from EV simplicity (no timing chains, turbos, or DSG to fail) but introduces new complexity: electric motor coolant seals, two-speed gearbox, air suspension, and sophisticated software. Most problems are software-related and fixable via dealer updates, but when hardware fails (motors, gearbox), repair bills exceed €10,000. Multiple serious recalls affecting safety (brakes, battery fire risk) make thorough recall verification essential before purchase.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Audi dealer records essential. Verify 2-year/20,000 km service intervals completed.
Tires
Check tread depth (EVs wear tires faster due to weight and instant torque), age, uneven wear. Expect premium tire costs (€1,600+).
Cold start
Turn car completely off for 30+ minutes, then restart and check for warning messages.
Test drive minimum 30 minutes
Include highway speeds, multiple traffic light stops, and regenerative braking testing.
Charging test
If possible, test both AC charging and DC fast charging to verify charging system works correctly.
Specific for this vehicle
Verify ALL recalls completed with VIN check
Critical: battery fire risk (93VM/93VN), brake hoses (47UP), airbag PODS, air suspension, rearview camera. Contact Audi dealer with VIN before purchase.
Check for coolant leaks around both motors
Inspect small plastic coolant catch reservoir - should be nearly empty. Any significant coolant indicates motor seal failure. Check for "Electrical System Malfunction" warnings.
Test MMI infotainment extensively
Use touchscreen, navigation, CarPlay/Android Auto, climate controls. Watch for freezing, blank screens, or "Loading" loops. Ask about software update history.
Test throttle response at multiple traffic stops
Come to complete stop at least 5 times, verify throttle responds immediately when accelerating. Check for "Drive system malfunction" message.
Listen for two-speed gearbox clunking
Drive in Comfort mode from standstill - feel for lag and clunk around 40-60 km/h when gearbox shifts. Listen for whining from rear axle.
Check air suspension operation
Verify all four corners sit level. Test different drive modes and lift settings. Look for "Air suspension malfunction" warning.
Test brake squeal
In stop-and-go traffic, listen for squeaking or creaking from brakes. Not dangerous but very annoying.
Listen for interior rattles
Drive on rough roads with radio off. EV quietness amplifies every rattle. Check door panels, dashboard, console, speaker grilles.
Check battery State of Health (SoH)
Ask seller for battery health report or have dealer check. 90%+ is good for 2-3 year old car, 86-90% acceptable, below 85% negotiate price.
Verify 12V auxiliary battery condition
Check manufacture date, ensure car starts immediately without hesitation.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
High-voltage battery short circuit / fire risk (93VM/93VN)2022-2024 - Verify completed
Front axle brake hose tears/leaks (47UP)2022-2024 - Verify completed
Passenger airbag occupant detection system (PODS)2022-2023 - Verify completed
Air suspension retaining ring (42L2/42M4)2021-2022 - Verify completed
Rearview camera display inoperative (91Ei)2021-2022 - Verify completed
Rearview camera software (91DZ/91CR)2021-2022 - Verify completed
Critical: Verify recall completion before purchase
The e-tron GT has multiple serious safety recalls including battery fire risk and brake failure. Contact Audi Netherlands dealer with VIN to verify all recalls completed. Do not purchase vehicle until brake hose recall (47UP) and battery recall (93VM/93VN) are confirmed complete. Final battery diagnostic software update expected Q1 2025.
Warranty Status (Netherlands/Europe)
Factory warranty3 years unlimited km (likely expired)
High-voltage battery warranty8 years / 160,000 km (70% capacity guarantee)
Electric motor extended warranty (some markets)10 years / 192,000 km (check with dealer)
Corrosion protection12 years unlimited km
All 2021-2023 e-tron GTs are outside 3-year factory warranty. Critical: battery warranty covers capacity below 70% threshold for 8 years/160,000 km. Battery cells can be replaced individually without full pack replacement. Some regions received electric motor warranty extension to 10 years - verify with Audi Netherlands dealer using VIN. Extended warranties available but expensive for luxury EVs.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.