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Audi e-tron VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Audi e-tron you are looking at. Then check its model year against 13 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefixWA1

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Audi e-tron

About the Audi e-tron

Audi sold the e-tron in the US for model years 2019–2023. Across those years NHTSA lists 13 vehicle recall campaigns and 175 owner complaints. The 2019 has the most complaints of any model year (80). It is electric; EPA rates it at 63–79 MPGe combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2019–2023
EPA classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle
NHTSA recall campaigns13
Owner complaints175 at NHTSA
Audi e-tron photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Audi e-tron at a glance

One generation in the data, 2019–2023: 13 NHTSA recall campaigns and 175 owner complaints.

1 / 1
e-tron
2019–2023Standard Sport Utility Vehicle
Audi e-tron (2019–2023)

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

20192023
2019–2023

Audi e-tron

EPA classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle
EPA combined MPGe63–79
NHTSA recalls13

Engines (EPA)

  • Electric · 2019–2023

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD
  • automatic (2019–2023)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (96)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (28)Engine and cooling (25)3 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 175 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · e-tronWA1VAAGE?KB······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2019 Audi e-tron e-tron quattro Prestige, built in Brussels, Belgium
Check an e-tron VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which e-tron model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 13 campaigns on file for e-tron model years 2019–2023, and the 2021 shows up in more of them than any other year (10), ahead of the 2022 (6). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2021
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recall
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Transport Canada recalls for these model years were checked against this list; each one matches an NHTSA campaign shown here. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Audi e-tron owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2019 and 2022 hold 125 of the 175 complaints, or 71%. Tap any bar or generation.

175NHTSA complaints, 2019–2023
7mention a crash
6mention a fire
3injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yeare-tron: 175 complaints · most for the 2019 (80)

Top complaint areas · e-tron

Mentions in 175 complaints, 2019–2023.

Electrical system96
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)28
Engine and cooling25
Fuel system21
Brakes21
Forward collision avoidance12
Crashes 7Fires 6Injuries 3

2019–2023

NHTSA data summary

Electrical system owns this generation. Its 96 mentions are more than twice the next area, powertrain (28). Its first model year, the 2019, drew more complaints than any other (80 of 175).

What e-tron owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2019–2024 (1st generation, GE)

Complaint counts are modest for the e-tron, so the data is thin. The 2019 draws the most NHTSA complaints, and owners most often describe high voltage battery and charging faults along with electrical warnings. CarComplaints lists a failed suspension and a leaking sunroof for 2019, and a rattling MMI screen and both motors going out for 2021. Audi renamed it the Q8 e-tron for 2024, its last year. Recalls cover moisture that may enter the high voltage battery through the charging socket seal, battery modules that may overheat and brake booster corrosion. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the charging socket seal, battery module and brake booster recalls.
  • Ask for high voltage battery, suspension and charging repair records.
  • Charge the car during the inspection if you can.
  • On the drive, watch for battery, drive system or suspension warnings and check the headliner for water from the sunroof.
Sources (3) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2019 Audi e-tron
  2. CarComplaints.com, 2019 Audi e-tron problems
  3. CarComplaints.com, 2021 Audi e-tron problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

e-tron complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every e-tron version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

175complaints, 2019–2023
7mention a crash
6mention a fire
3injuries reported
Most complaints: 2019 (80), 2022 (45), 2021 (41)
80’19’2041’2145’22

2019 · 80 complaints

Crashes 4 · fires 3 · injuries 1

Electrical system35
Unknown or other16
Fuel/propulsion system14
Engine11
Power train10

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

e-tron CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 16 e-tron versions for model years 2019–2023. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

e-tron2019–2023

63–79 MPGe electric · CO₂ 0 g/mi

2023
73combined MPGe
0CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$1,050EPA yearly fuel cost
10/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
10/10Greenhouse gas rating
208midriving range
California ZEV · Federal Tier 3 Bin 0Emission standard
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
05010015020020202019 · Electric: 02020 · Electric: 02021 · Electric: 02022 · Electric: 02023 · Electric: 0
Electric

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

e-tron vs Tesla Model X vs Jaguar I-Pace

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2019–2023. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the e-tron, against 31 for the Tesla Model X and 13 for the Jaguar I-Pace. Pick a range to compare.

Audi e-tron

Model years 2019–2023

NHTSA recall campaigns
13
NHTSA owner complaints
175
EPA combined MPGe
63–79
Engines (EPA)
Electric
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 96
  2. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 28
  3. Engine and cooling 25

Tesla Model X

Model years 2019–2023

NHTSA recall campaigns
31
NHTSA owner complaints
589
EPA combined MPGe
79–105
Engines (EPA)
Electric
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Steering 132
  2. Forward collision avoidance 111
  3. Electrical system 93

Jaguar I-Pace

Model years 2019–2023

NHTSA recall campaigns
13
NHTSA owner complaints
216
EPA combined MPGe
76–85
Engines (EPA)
Electric
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 174
  2. Fuel system 32
  3. Brakes 19

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Audi e-tron VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an e-tron

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Red Audi e-tron (Q8 e-tron facelift) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The e-tron electric SUV places its VIN on the dashboard plate at the lower driver's windshield, the door jamb sticker, and a B-pillar label. As an EV, a secondary battery system label appears near the high-voltage battery housing under the vehicle. No traditional engine bay stamp is present.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Audi e-tron VIN questions

Which Audi e-tron model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2019 leads with 80, ahead of the 2022 (45) and 2021 (41). Those first two alone make up 71% of the 175 e-tron complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Audi e-tron had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 13 vehicle campaigns for model years 2019–2023, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which Audi e-tron recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 19V-434, 23V-842 and 23V-867. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the Audi e-tron get?

EPA rates the 2019–2023 e-tron at 63–79 MPGe combined (electric; fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Audi e-tron compare with the Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace on recalls?

For 2019–2023 models the e-tron has 13 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Tesla Model X has 31, the Jaguar I-Pace 13. Complaints run 175, 589 and 216 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Audi e-tron have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 e-tron 5 stars overall. One version, AWD, is rated.

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