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Audi Electrical System Recalls Include Battery Fires and Power Loss
Battery overheating and short circuits dominate these Audi electrical notices, especially among e-tron and plug-in hybrid models. Certain 2019 e-tron vehicles have a charging-socket seal defect allowing moisture into the high-voltage system. Other notices address overheating modules in certain 2019-2022 e-tron Quattro and 2020-2022 e-tron Sportback Quattro vehicles, and battery-module short circuits in certain 2022-2024 e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT vehicles. Q5 battery notices cover differing populations, including certain 2021-2024 Q5 vehicles in the February 2025 notice. Separate concerns include Q5/SQ5 gateway water exposure, A6 starter-generator moisture, sticking fuel senders, detachable crash-sensor connectors and portable charging cable overheating.
Warning signs to watch for
- 2019 e-tron moisture recall 93E8: warning lights together with the message "Electrical system: fault."
- Q5/SQ5 gateway recall 90S9: suddenly reduced engine power.
- Fuel sender recall 20DN: an inaccurate fuel level reading on the instrument cluster and possible engine stall from lack of fuel.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
One supplied notice carries conditional stop-driving and park-outside instructions: 2019 e-tron recall 93E8 says that if warning lights appear with "Electrical system: fault," immediately stop driving and park outdoors away from structures. The other supplied notices do not tell owners to stop driving. The March 2024 e-tron GT and October 2026 Q4 notices limit charging to 80% until repair. The December 2023 cable notice prohibits the 220V/240V portable cable, specifying the 110V home cable or public charging stations.
What the free repair involves
Recall 93E8 installs a seal and replaces affected components as necessary; 27H2 replaces the starter generator. The December 2023 e-tron battery notice installs monitoring software and replaces affected modules where necessary. Recall 90S9 adds a protective cover and seals an underbody seam as necessary; 20DN installs a tank sensor. These specified remedies are free.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 9 |
| high | 5 |
| medium | 2 |
Models affected most
Where owners report electrical system problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under electrical system for the Audi models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Electrical system complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Audi A6 | 84 |
| 2018 Audi Q5 | 71 |
| 2021 Audi Q7 | 43 |
| 2019 Audi E-TRON | 35 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 | 26 |
| 2021 Audi E-TRON | 24 |
| 2019 Audi A7 | 24 |
| 2020 Audi A6 | 17 |
Every recall in this group
Common questions
Which Audi electrical notice tells owners to stop driving?
The 2019 e-tron moisture notice, 93E8, gives a conditional instruction: if warning lights appear with "Electrical system: fault," immediately stop driving and park outdoors away from structures. The other supplied electrical notices do not tell owners to stop driving.
Which battery recalls specify an 80% charging limit?
The March 2024 notice for certain 2022-2024 e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT vehicles specifies an 80% maximum until repair. The October 2026 notice gives the same limit for certain 2024-2025 Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron vehicles.
What does the portable charging cable notice tell owners to use?
The December 2023 notice advises owners to stop using the 220V/240V compact or portable charging cable and use only the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers supply a replacement cable incorporating a temperature sensor, free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.