2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Lemon Law Case Study: Buyback in Texas
Brand-New $90,000+ Audi EV: Rear Motor Failed, Then the Entire Electrical System Collapsed
Our client purchased a brand-new 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron in Texas, a flagship all-electric luxury SUV. About 18 months after purchase, the vehicle's rear electric motor was found to be leaking coolant, requiring a complete rear motor replacement. That repair, performed under Audi's technical service bulletin, was followed by a cascade of new failures across the vehicle's electrical systems.
After the motor was replaced, the Q8 e-tron came back from the dealership in worse shape than it went in. Multiple warning lights illuminated simultaneously, cruise control stopped working, the rear light bar went dark, the turn signals began malfunctioning, and the trunk lost the ability to fully open, with interior lights flickering randomly. Our client reports the dealership replaced multiple modules, but they kept failing. Our client reports that a dealership sales representative said: "The car can't be fixed."
Across 3 documented repair visits, the vehicle accumulated 166 cumulative days out of service, more than 5.5 times Texas's 30-day lemon law threshold. Easy Lemon took the claim to Audi, and the case resolved with a $78,425 full vehicle buyback.
Defects Documented in This Case
- Rear electric motor coolant leak: the coolant cartridge was found full of coolant, which TSB 2073858/8 treats as evidence of a rear motor coolant leak; the motor was replaced at the 20,000-mile service
- Driver system malfunction warning: fault code C12D5FA triggered on the initial visit; technicians deleted the DTC per TSB 2071958/1 and performed software recall updates
- Post-repair electrical system collapse: after the motor replacement, multiple dashboard warning lights illuminated simultaneously, indicating system-wide electronic faults
- Cruise control inoperative: the cruise control was inoperative following the motor replacement
- Rear light bar failure: the rear light bar was not working
- Turn signal malfunction: blinkers began operating erratically and inconsistently
- Trunk failure: the power liftgate would not open fully and became stuck; the interior lights would start to blink
- Cascading module failures: our client reports the dealership replaced multiple modules, but they kept failing
Three Visits. New Failures After a Motor Replacement. 166 Days Out of Service.
The repair history on this 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron shows a textbook lemon law progression: an initial electrical fault, a major drivetrain failure, and then a wave of new electrical failures after the repair, with the vehicle out of service for more than five months of accumulated time.
Visit 1: September 3–19, 2024 (17 Days)
Our client brought the Q8 e-tron in after a "Driver System Malfunction" warning appeared on the dashboard. Technicians diagnosed fault code C12D5FA and cleared it per TSB 2071958/1. Recalls were also performed during this visit: a software update for the portable charger and a replacement of the 220V charging cables. The vehicle was returned after 17 days.
Visit 2: May 27–June 18, 2025 (23 Days)
During a routine 20,000-mile service, technicians found the cartridge full of coolant. Per TSB 2073858/8, this is evidence that the rear motor has a coolant leak and requires replacement. The motor was replaced along with other related parts. The vehicle was in the shop for 23 days. Our client hoped this would be the end of the problems. It was not.
Visit 3: From June 28, 2025 (126 Days)
Within days of getting the Q8 e-tron back after the motor replacement, our client noticed a wave of new warning lights illuminating across the dashboard. Systems that had worked before were now failing: cruise control was inoperative, the rear light bar went dark, the turn signals became erratic, and the trunk refused to open fully while interior lights flickered. Our client reports the dealership replaced multiple modules, but they kept failing; no repairs were documented on the open repair order. Our client reports that a dealership sales representative said: "The car can't be fixed." The vehicle remained at the dealership, still unrepaired, when our legal team filed the formal lemon law demand.
Why This Case Required Lemon Law Representation
Despite overwhelming evidence, 166 days out of service, a motor replacement followed by new failures, cascading system failures, and a sales representative's reported statement that the car couldn't be fixed, Audi did not voluntarily resolve this case. Several factors made professional representation essential:
- Texas lemon law clearly triggered: Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2301 sets a threshold of 30 cumulative days out of service within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles. With 166 days documented across three visits, our client was in an exceptionally strong legal position
How Easy Lemon Forced Audi to Buy Back the Vehicle
Free Case Evaluation
We reviewed all three repair orders, the original purchase contract, and the Audi warranty documentation. The pattern was undeniable: 166 days out of service, a motor replacement followed by new failures, and our client's report that a sales representative said the vehicle could not be fixed. Eligibility under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2301 was clear-cut.
Documentation & Evidence Assembly
Our team compiled a comprehensive case file: all three repair orders with specific DTCs, TSB references, parts replaced, and days in shop; and the full calculation of 166 cumulative out-of-service days against Texas's 30-day statutory threshold.
Formal Demand to Audi of America
We filed a formal demand under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2301, citing the rear motor coolant failure, the cascading post-repair electrical system collapse, 166 days out of service, and our client's report that a sales representative said the vehicle could not be fixed. The demand specified a full vehicle repurchase at the original purchase price.
$78,425 Full Buyback Achieved
Facing that documentation, Audi agreed to repurchase the vehicle. The $78,425 buyback total includes the payment to our client and the attorney fees.
Why Did This 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Qualify as a Lemon in Texas?
Texas's Lemon Law (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2301) sets specific thresholds that can entitle a consumer to a buyback or replacement. The repair records in this case showed:
- Rear Motor Coolant Leak: reported in the repair records.
- Electrical Failures: reported in the repair records.
- Module Failures: reported in the repair records.
- Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: the claim also relied on federal warranty law.
$78,425 Full Vehicle Buyback: Audi Repurchased the Q8 e-tron
Case Summary
- Vehicle: 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron SUV, purchased in Texas as a new vehicle
- Mileage at purchase: 90 miles (essentially brand new)
- Primary defects: Rear electric motor coolant leak (motor replaced), cascading electrical system failure post-repair, cruise control failure, rear light bar failure, turn signal malfunction, power liftgate failure, repeated module failures
- Total repair visits: 3 documented visits
- Total days out of service: 166 cumulative days (5.5× Texas's 30-day threshold)
- Client report: Our client states a sales representative said "the car can't be fixed"
- Settlement type: Full vehicle buyback, Audi repurchased the vehicle
- Settlement amount: $78,425 (Buyback)
- Attorney fees: included in the $78,425 total
What Our Clients Are Saying
Attorney on Record
Aaron Waldo, Esq.
Attorney, Easy Lemon by RockPoint Law P.C.
Attorney at Easy Lemon by RockPoint Law P.C., handling lemon law claims. Aaron has helped hundreds of consumers recover full buybacks and cash settlements against major vehicle manufacturers.
Having Problems With Your Audi EV?
If your Audi Q8 e-tron, e-tron GT, or any Audi keeps returning to the dealer for the same issues, or has accumulated significant time out of service, you may have a lemon. Get a free case evaluation in 30 seconds.
Qualify in 30 Seconds →2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Lemon Law Questions in Texas
Your Audi May Have a Lemon Law Claim Too
If your Audi keeps going back to the shop for the same problem, you may qualify under your state's lemon law, the manufacturer pays our fees, not you. We handle Audi cases like this one regularly.
See Our Audi Lemon Law Page →Learn More
- Texas Lemon Law Attorneys
- All Settlements & Case Studies
- Lemon Law By Manufacturer
- Audi Lemon Law Guide
- Free Case Evaluation
Related Case Results
- 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron buyback in Texas ($72,947)
- 2025 Audi S5 buyback in Texas ($70,728)
- 2022 Audi Q3 cash-and-keep settlement in Texas ($4,000)
