- Audi is recalling nearly 20,000 E-Tron electric SUVs over a potentially dangerous issue.
- The brake pedal may detach from the brake booster.
- If this happens, drivers can use the emergency brake to come to a stop.
Audi is recalling 18,853 E-Tron electric SUVs sold in the United States because their brake pedals may detach from the brake booster, rendering the service brakes inoperable.
Official documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) don’t include a “Do Not Drive” recommendation, and instead recommend drivers use the emergency brake to stop the car if they discover the brake pedal doesn’t do anything.
The German automaker has included 14,102 units of the 2019-2024 E-Tron and 4,751 units of the 2020-2025 E-Tron Sportback. The EV, which was renamed to Q8 E-Tron a few years ago, is no longer sold.
According to the recall report, the issue can be traced back to an improperly torqued screw that connects the brake pedal’s input rod to the actuator rod on the brake booster. Because of this, the screw connection may disconnect.
The problem originated with the part supplier—Germany’s Aumovio—due to a malfunction in the production plant. Audi says that drivers might notice an unusual noise or notice that the brake pedal doesn’t return to its original position. If this happens, using the emergency brake is the only way to stop the car, which can be a little disconcerting, especially if an actual emergency braking situation occurs.
To fix the issue, Audi dealers will inspect the potentially affected brake boosters and then torque the necessary screws to the manufacturer’s specification. No parts will be replaced, and the fix is free.
Despite Audi discontinuing the Q8 E-Tron, the number of recalls, customer complaints, and manufacturer communications is constantly increasing. In the U.S., the car that was once Audi’s flagship EV is the subject of at least 14 recalls, with hundreds of customer complaints registered with the NHTSA and thousands of service bulletins.
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