Audi Recalls Nearly 300,000 Vehicles Because a Liquid Spill Can Shut Down the Engines

Don’t Spill Your Drink

Audi recently recalled about 300,000 of their SUV vehicles due to a power defect in which spilled liquids can entirely shut down the engines. Drivers of affected Audi vehicles have reported reduced power in their engines while driving during rainstorms or if a passenger spills a drink in the rear seat.

The issue lies with a control module in the engine that is exposed and therefore extremely vulnerable to moisture. A simple spill of coffee can result in the complete shutdown of the vehicle’s engine. This power loss is a substantial safety concern and can be incredibly dangerous.

Nearby liquids can produce short circuits and several internal errors in the gateway control module. The module will shut off as a precaution, causing the engine to lose power. Audi designed this engine component to shut off if it identifies any moisture near the engine.

Although the braking and steering systems remain operable, the engine enters “emergency” mode at reduced power. Driving through rain or spilling a drink inside the vehicle is enough to trigger this reaction in the engine.

The resulting engine power loss is quite dangerous as it increases the risk of an accident. Within the recall, Audi outlines the safety risks by admitting that “reduced engine power may create an increased risk of an accident in certain driving situations.”

Audi Q5 Power Defect Recall

While Audi says that it is not aware of any accidents or injuries linked to the power defect, it has included an overwhelming 288,991 vehicles in its December 2021 recall. The auto manufacturer began notifying owners in late February 2022.

Audi is not offering a reimbursement program under this recall, despite several customers reporting that they paid for repairs to the gateway control module entirely out of pocket. The following Audi SUV models are named in the recall:

• 2021-2022 Audi Q5 Sportback
• 2021-2022 Audi SQ5 Sportback
• 2018-2022 Audi Q5
• 2018-2022 Audi SQ5

A protective cover for the defective gateway control module in these vehicles was introduced in production on November 12, 2021. Audi cars produced after this date, manufactured with these covers are not included in the recall.

To address the power loss issue, Audi has focused on producing more protective covers for vehicles included in the recall. Audi dealerships have now begun installing protective covers over the exposed engine parts. For vehicles produced until the end of August 2021, Audi is also sealing an insufficient underbody seam on affected cars.

It is important to note that in many cases, the gateway control module does not have to be exposed to liquids to malfunction. Multiple drivers say that they have neither driven in rain nor have they spilled drinks inside their vehicles yet, the gateway control module still malfunctioned.

It appears that at any time, an affected Audi SUV can suddenly lose power while in motion. And sadly, this is not the first time Volkswagen vehicles have been recalled over serious safety risks in recent years.

Audi Passenger Airbag Issues

Earlier last year, over 180,000 Audi vehicles were recalled due to defective passenger airbags. This is an expansion of a 2019 recall for the same passenger airbag issues.

Audi drivers would hear a warning sound and then see a Passenger Airbag OFF warning indicator light. A malfunctioning seat heater cable disables the front passenger airbag in various Audi models.

The problem is the result of a poor connection between the passenger seat occupancy sensor and the seat heater wiring. This causes the car’s computer to believe that nobody is sitting in the front seat and deactivates the airbag. In this recall, Audi dealerships replaced the connecting cables in affected vehicles.

In some cases, they replaced the entire seat cover. Keep in mind these are two of many recalls of thousands of Audi vehicles over the same airbag problem. And Audi and Volkswagen’s airbag woes do not end here.

As new Audi owners dealt with recalls over faulty airbag systems in their cars, drivers of older vehicles from the automaker also found themselves experiencing airbag concerns of their own. In the summer of 2021, Audi recalled over 60,000 vehicles equipped with Takata airbags.

This brand of airbags was recalled due to safety risks because the bags can explode in a car crash that causes airbag deployment. During an accident, Takata airbags can rapidly release sharp metal fragments onto passengers, causing severe injury or death.

Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure if one’s Takata airbags are safe prior to an auto accident. Various Audi models from a wide range of years, 2000-2017, are affected by the major recall of Takata airbags.

This was a grave issue for Audi and other automakers, as exploding Takata airbags have been linked to over 200 injuries and 19 deaths in the United States alone.

Is My Audi Q5 or Audi SQ5 a Lemon?

Your Audi Q5 or SQ5 vehicle may be a lemon if you have taken your vehicle in a reasonable number of times for repair. Although California lemon law does not give an exact number to define “reasonable,” it does include some specified guidelines. Your Audi could be a lemon if any of the following conditions are met:

• Two or more attempts to fix a substantial safety defect
• Four or more repair attempts have been made to fix any other defect

Keep in mind that California lemon laws do not apply to vehicles purchased or leased outside of the state of California (active military exceptions may apply) or vehicles not covered by warranties. The best way to be certain that your Audi is a lemon is to consult with a lemon law attorney who can help you determine if you have a valid claim.

Consult With an Audi Lemon Law Expert Today

Do not put yourself or your loved ones at risk by driving a vehicle that can suddenly shut down at any time. There are several instances of drivers reporting engine power loss despite not driving through rain or spilling drinks in their rear seats, so potentially all Audi SUV drivers and their passengers are at risk.

Luckily, there are legal remedies available for consumers who end up with Audi lemons. An expert lemon law attorney can help you secure a refund or cash compensation for your vehicle.

If you are driving an Audi vehicle with an exposed gateway control module, then you should contact the Lemon Law Experts as soon as possible.

If your Audi is a lemon, you could qualify for an outstanding recovery that you could put towards a safe and reliable car. Navigating state lemon laws and going up against an auto manufacturer can be intimidating, so let us handle it.

Our well-versed team of attorneys are there to stand up for your rights as a consumer in every step of the process. You have options, call or email us today.