Audi has announced a safety defect affecting certain high-voltage battery modules in its 2022-2023 Q5 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) and A7 PHEV models. The recall is necessary due to the risk of thermal events, which may cause smoke or even fires.

According to Audi, the root cause of the issue is still under investigation, but current analysis suggests that manufacturing deviations at a supplier of battery modules may be to blame. The company has been working closely with its supplier, Samsung SDI, and conducting comprehensive analyses of affected batteries to determine the conditions and circumstances that trigger thermal events.

The recall affects approximately 50 high-voltage batteries from non-U.S. markets, as well as an additional batch of batteries collected from field incidents in the United States. Audi has also received reports of other vehicles outside of these specific models, which are also under investigation.

To mitigate the risk, Audi plans to install advanced onboard diagnostic software, which will detect potential issues with battery module performance and alert the driver before problems may occur. The software is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2025.

In addition to the software update, Audi will offer two interim remedies for vehicles affected by this recall:

1. Vehicles with online data: Affected modules or high-voltage batteries must be replaced.
2. Vehicles without online data: Customers will be instructed not to charge their vehicle from external sources or via the combustion engine until the new software becomes available.

To date, Audi reports no injuries, crashes, or fires related to this issue in the United States market. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk will be mailed on January 24, 2025, with a second notice to follow once the final remedy is available.

Vehicles Affected:

• 2022-2023 Audi Q5 PHEV
• 2022 Audi A7 PHEV

Recall Numbers:

• Volkswagen’s number: 93AA
• NHTSA campaign number: 24V-898

Interim Remedies:

1. Vehicles with online data: Replacement of affected modules or high-voltage batteries.
2. Vehicles without online data: Instructed not to charge vehicle from external sources or via combustion engine until new software becomes available.