2021 AUDI E-TRON SPORTBACK Complaints

While driving my 2021 Audi e-tron Sportback Prestige, the high-voltage battery warning light illuminated on the dashboard. At the same time, regenerative braking stopped functioning, resulting in reduced energy recovery and a noticeable decrease in driving range. Before taking the vehicle to an Audi dealership, I had the diagnostic trouble codes read by an independent repair shop. The technician advised me to take the vehicle to Audi because the diagnostic information reportedly indicated a potential high-voltage battery thermal runaway condition. I took the vehicle to an authorized Audi dealership. The dealer cleared the fault codes and returned the vehicle to me without replacing any high-voltage battery components or performing repairs. I was not advised that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. A few weeks later, the high-voltage battery warning light returned. I brought the vehicle back to the dealership, where I was informed that a high-voltage battery module had failed. The dealer has now recommended replacing the battery module at an estimated cost of approximately $12,000. I am concerned that the vehicle was returned to me after a reported high-voltage battery fault was simply cleared rather than repaired. I am also concerned that replacing only a single battery module may not address the underlying issue. Additionally, I am aware of high-voltage battery recalls involving other Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen electric vehicles, and I believe this failure should be evaluated to determine whether it represents a similar safety defect. This issue presents a significant safety concern because it involves the high-voltage battery system, loss of regenerative braking, reduced vehicle range, and a reported battery thermal-related fault. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this is a broader safety issue affecting 2021 Audi e-tron Sportback vehicles.

The contact owns a 2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V867000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

This is in regards to Safety Recall Code: 93U8. Audi USA has failed to provided an updated 220V/240V charging unit cable and a compact/portable charging system software update for my vehicle in the 230 days since the product recall.