Written By: Jessica Anvar Stotz
Legally Reviewed By: Jessica Anvar Stotz
Volkswagen and Audi have issued a recall for these electric vehicles, which includes the Volkswagen ID.4 and Audi Q4 e-Tron models.
1% or approximately 600 of the 60,000 affected vehicles are estimated to be at risk due to a faulty gear display.
The issue is related to a malfunction where the “N” (neutral) gear position may not be displayed correctly on the instrument panel.
This could lead to driver confusion and increase the risk of the vehicle rolling away if the parking brake is not engaged.
Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by April 25, 2025, and can take their vehicles to dealerships for a free software update to resolve the issue.
Until the update is applied, it is essential for owners to make sure the parking brake is fully engaged before leaving the vehicle to avoid potential rollaway incidents.
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What Causes the Volkswagen Rollaway Issue?
The rollaway issue in certain Volkswagen and Audi electric vehicles is caused by a malfunction in the gear display system.
Specifically, the “N” (neutral) gear position may not appear on the instrument panel as intended. This can lead to confusion for drivers about the transmission’s status, especially if the electronic parking brake has not been engaged.
When the gear position is not clearly displayed, there is an increased risk of the vehicle unintentionally rolling away.
In some cases, the “N” gear position fails to appear in the instrument cluster when it should be visible.
This issue causes the vehicles to fall out of compliance with the requirements of 49 CFR § 571.102, which governs transmission shift position sequences, starter interlocks, and transmission braking effects.
The root cause of this problem lies in the software behavior of the brake control unit. If the parking brake is not engaged, the red parking brake indicator light on the instrument cluster will not illuminate.
To prevent potential rollaway incidents, owners are advised to always check that the parking brake indicator light is on before leaving the vehicle.
If you own one of these affected vehicles, you should engage the parking brake before exiting the car until the software update can be applied.
Which Vehicles Are Included?
The recall impacts the following Volkswagen and Audi models:
- 2021 to 2023 Volkswagen ID.4
- 2022 to 2023 Audi Q4 e-Tron
- 2022 to 2023 Audi Q4 e-Tron Sportback
These vehicles are being recalled due to a problem with the instrument panel, which may fail to correctly display the transmission gear lever indicator.
This issue increases the risk of rollaway accidents if the parking brake is not engaged. If you own one of these models, it’s important to get the software update as soon as possible.
How Will the Manufacturer Resolve This Issue?
Volkswagen and Audi are addressing the rollaway issue by offering a software update for the brake control unit in the affected vehicles.
This update will ensure that the gear position is correctly displayed on the instrument panel, helping to prevent potential rollaway incidents.
Owners of the affected models will be notified by April 25, 2025, and can have the software update applied free of charge at their local dealerships.
Until the update is completed, it is vital for drivers to engage the parking brake before leaving the vehicle to reduce the risk of rollaway accidents.
In addition, if the parking brake is not properly engaged, the red parking brake indicator light on the instrument cluster will remain off.
To prevent a rollaway situation, owners should confirm that the parking brake indicator light has illuminated before exiting the vehicle.
The software update campaign code will be applied to affected vehicles starting on or around March 5, 2025. Notifications to vehicle owners will begin in March 2025.
Need Additional Assistance? Call the Lemon Law Experts!
Volkswagen and Audi have recently issued a recall affecting over 60,000 electric vehicles, including the Volkswagen ID.4 and Audi Q4 e-Tron models, due to a potential rollaway risk caused by a faulty gear display.
If you own one of these affected vehicles, you will receive a notification by April 25, 2025, instructing you to visit an authorized dealership for a free software update to address the issue.
If you’re concerned about the rollaway risk or have experienced issues with your vehicle, a knowledgeable lemon law attorney can help you explore your legal options.
You may be eligible for a vehicle replacement, refund, or other forms of compensation if the defect continues to affect the safety and functionality of your vehicle.
At the Lemon Law Experts, we’ve been advocating for consumers facing automotive defects since 2009.
Our team is highly experienced in handling lemon law claims, ensuring manufacturers are held accountable for faulty vehicles.
If your Volkswagen or Audi is affected by this recall, don’t hesitate to contact us today to discuss your lemon law rights and options today.
Citations
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2025). Part 573 Safety Recall Report 25V-120. Retrieved from https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCAK-25V120-6524.pdf
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2025). Recall Report 25V-120. Retrieved from https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V120-7267.PDF
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2025). Safety Recall Report 25V-120. Retrieved from https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCMN-25V120-2745.pdf
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2025). Recall Notification Report 25V-120. Retrieved from https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCRIT-25V120-1811.pdf
