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Audi Exterior Lighting Recalls Involve Signals, Parking Lights, and Wiring
Audi’s exterior lighting recalls involve different ways lighting functions can be lost or operate incorrectly. Recall 97EU covers 2020–2021 A5 and S5 Sportback vehicles and the 2021 RS5 Sportback: missing rear wiring protection can allow crash damage that disables hazard lights and outside door opening. Recall 97DK covers 2016–2018 Q3 vehicles with LED headlights, where a failed front turn signal may not trigger an indicator alert. Recall 941L covers 2022–2024 Q4 E-TRON and Q4 E-TRON Sportback vehicles with incorrect headlight control module software. Across these notices, the recurring concern is compromised signaling or visibility, with remedies specific to wiring protection or control software.
Warning signs to watch for
- 97DK: An inoperable front turn signal may not trigger an indicator alert.
- 941L: Parking lights may not operate as intended when headlights are on and turn signals are activated.
- 97EU: Rear crash damage may disable hazard lights and prevent doors from opening from outside.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of these three notices carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. The notices for rear wiring protection recall 97EU, Q3 turn signal monitoring recall 97DK, and Q4 E-TRON headlight software recall 941L do not tell owners to stop driving. They describe different risks: loss of hazard lights and outside door access after rear crash damage, an absent alert for a failed turn signal, and reduced visibility from incorrect parking light operation. Those descriptions do not establish driving safety.
What the free repair involves
For 97EU, dealers apply scuff protection to the rear lighting wiring. For 97DK, dealers update the Q3 body control module. For 941L, dealers update the headlight control module with a new data set. Each notice states that its specified dealer remedy is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 1 |
| medium | 2 |
Models affected most
Where owners report exterior lighting problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under exterior lighting for the Audi models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Exterior lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Audi A5 | 1 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2024 | Audi Q4 E-Tron Headlight Software Issue | medium |
| Nov 25, 2020 | Audi A5, S5 Rear Wiring Lacks Scuff Protection | high |
| May 23, 2019 | Audi Q3 May Not Warn of Turn Signal Failure | medium |
Common questions
Which Audi Q3 vehicles have the turn signal alert problem?
Recall 97DK identifies certain 2016–2018 Audi Q3 vehicles equipped with LED headlights. An inoperable front turn signal may not illuminate an indicator to alert the driver. Dealers update the body control module free of charge.
Why does the rear lighting wiring recall mention doors?
Recall 97EU says missing anti-abrasion protection can leave rear lighting wires vulnerable to damage during a rear crash. That damage can disable hazard lights and prevent doors from being opened from outside, increasing the risk of injury.
What does the Q4 E-TRON headlight software recall affect?
Recall 941L covers certain 2022–2024 Q4 E-TRON and Q4 E-TRON Sportback vehicles. Incorrect headlight control module software may affect parking light operation when headlights are on and turn signals activate. Dealers install a new data set free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.