Volkswagen’s EV Battery Recall Reaches Over 85,000 Vehicles as Audi Q4 E-Tron Added
Audi owners are advised to limit charging to 80% due to thermal propagation risks, with interim letters expected by December 18, 2026.
Volkswagen’s expanding electric vehicle battery recall now includes the Audi Q4 E-Tron, bringing the total number of affected vehicles globally to 85,402. The latest addition impacts 12,734 Audi Q4 E-Tron and Q4 Sportback E-Tron units worldwide, following similar recalls for Volkswagen ID series and Cupra Born models.
What Happened
On October 27, Volkswagen Group added the Audi Q4 E-Tron and Q4 Sportback E-Tron to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) recall database. This follows an earlier recall in October affecting 22,524 ID.4 SUVs in the US and a broader KBA investigation covering 72,668 VW Group EVs globally, including the ID. Buzz, ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, and Cupra Born models produced between 2022 and 2025.
In a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) dated October 23, Volkswagen Group of America confirmed a recall for 9,048 Audi Q4 E-Tron and Q4 Sportback E-Tron vehicles in the US, covering model years 2024 to 2025. The recall stems from a risk where certain charging profiles combined with a state of charge over 80% may trigger thermal propagation, potentially leading to battery overheating or fire.
Audi’s internal investigation revealed that the Q4 E-Tron uses the same battery and production characteristics as the previously recalled Volkswagen Group vehicles. The majority of the affected Audi units were produced for the North American market. Audi stated it is not currently aware of any claims, crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths associated with the Q4 E-Tron’s battery issue.
Why It Matters
The expansion of the recall to include Audi’s popular electric SUV highlights a systemic issue within Volkswagen Group’s battery supply chain or production processes, affecting multiple brands and models across different regions. For owners, the immediate impact is a restriction on charging capacity. Volkswagen and Audi are urging owners to limit charging to 80% of the battery’s capacity to mitigate thermal risks while the root cause is determined.
Volkswagen indicated that it intends to apply a temporary vehicle setting to limit charging to 80% via over-the-air updates or dealer interventions, unless owners opted out by October 21. US Audi owners can visit authorized dealers for diagnostic checks, where dealers will impose a temporary state-of-charge limit if necessary. Audi expects to mail interim notification letters to owners on December 18, 2026, with further updates to follow once a permanent remedy is identified.
The Bottom Line
The Volkswagen Group battery recall now encompasses 85,402 electric vehicles globally, including 9,048 Audi Q4 E-Trons in the US. Owners are advised to limit charging to 80% until a definitive fix is available, with Audi’s NHTSA campaign number listed as 26V698.
