Audi is now recalling 110,000 cars because the electronic handbrake may be defective. The Germans believe they can fix it with a software update.
Software error in Audi Q4 e-tron can cause problems with the car's parking brake. Almost 110,000 cars need to be repaired. There are also reports of battery problems.
Audi is facing a major recall. Almost 110,000 units of the Audi Q4 e-tron electric car will have to be repaired. The cause is a software error related to the cars' electric handbrake.
The error means that the handbrake may not function correctly. This applies to cars produced between 2020 and 2023.
The problem cannot be solved with an update sent directly to the cars. Car owners must therefore make an appointment at one of Audi's own workshops.
Here, the car's software will be updated by a technician. The visit to the workshop is necessary to ensure that the handbrake is working properly.
Software update requires workshop visit
Head of Information at Audi in Sweden, Irene Bernald, elaborates on the problem. She tells the media outlet Vi Bilägare :
– It is the parking brake control unit that needs to be updated during a visit to our dealers.
According to Irene Bernald, the affected cars can still be used. However, car owners should be particularly careful until Audi's own technicians have looked at their cars.
You can ensure that the handbrake is on before you leave the car. The red indicator in the handbrake should light up in the car's display for a few seconds after activation.
The recall covers cars manufactured before October 12, 2023. Irene Bernald states that this concerns approximately 4,000 cars in Sweden alone. Boosted is working to find out how many cars are affected in Denmark.
Bernald adds: "A quarter of them have already been repaired." The number of affected cars in Denmark is not specified.
Battery problems and possible fire hazard
In addition to the parking brake issue, Audi is also experiencing challenges with battery packs. This applies to both pure electric and hybrid cars from the brand.
Several Audi owners have been told to limit charging. Some have been told to avoid charging altogether.
Others have been told that they can only charge the battery to 80 percent of its capacity.
The restrictions are based on fears of a fire hazard. They specifically concern batteries produced by supplier LG.
Audi is investigating the risk of the batteries in question catching fire. Car owners with affected models are awaiting further information from Audi on the matter.
In Denmark, according to Boosted's information, the first owners have received a summons to visit the workshop.
These battery issues are separate from the software bug in the Q4 e-tron model, but they do contribute to the automaker's current challenges.
Audi is working to resolve both issues for affected customers. If the fault is present on Danish cars, owners will be contacted via the Danish Motor Register. Audi is not allowed to contact drivers directly.
At Boosted.dk we follow developments closely. You can find more news about Audi and developments within electric cars and technology on our website.
Audi is not the only one with battery problems. In Norway, there are so many problems with the Jaguar I-Pace that the importer is now buying back over 100 cars .
The recall comes after Jaguar in the US recalled over 3,000 cars with exactly the same problem last year. However, in Denmark, the importer denies that the problem exists.
