Volkswagen and Audi have issued a recall for 60,490 electric crossovers due to a software error that could potentially lead to a dangerous situation. The affected vehicles include the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Audi Q4 E-Tron and Q4 E-Tron Sportback.
The issue stems from the brake control unit software, which may fail to display the correct gear indicator in the instrument cluster. Specifically, the “N” (neutral) indicator may not show up when the vehicle is shifted into neutral. This can be problematic as drivers may not be aware that the vehicle is not in gear, leading to a potential rollaway situation. In the event of a rollaway, the vehicle could crash or cause injuries, as the driver may not take necessary precautions such as applying the brakes, setting the parking brake, or shifting into park.
To address this issue, Volkswagen and Audi will be updating the brake control unit software, which has already been implemented in production. Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified via mail starting on Apr. 25. Additionally, they can contact VW or Audi customer service for more information on the recall and to schedule the free software update installation. Reference numbers 97H3 for VW and 454R for Audi can be used to find information on the relevant recall on the VW and Audi recall websites.
This recall comes on the heels of Volkswagen’s recent restart of production and sales of the ID.4 following a recall for faulty door handles. The 2025 ID.4 model is currently only available with the larger of the two battery packs, leading to a higher price point until the smaller pack becomes available again.
Overall, Volkswagen and Audi are taking necessary steps to ensure the safety of their customers by addressing this software error promptly and efficiently. Owners of the affected vehicles should act promptly to have the software update installed to prevent any potential safety hazards.
