Audi
Audi is one of the leading luxury vehicles in the world, but that doesn’t mean the company is immune from making lemons or putting vehicles on the market with significant safety defects. Learn more about Audi below, and contact Nita Lemon Law Firm if you need help asserting your rights in a California lemon law claim involving an Audi car or SUV.
Facts About Audi
Audi AG is a German company that is currently a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group. Audi was part of the Auto Union formed in 1932 and later acquired from Daimler-Benz by Volkswagen in the early 1960s.
Although Audi as we know it today dates to the 1960s, the company traces its roots in some respects to the beginning of the auto industry when Audi Automobilewerke GmbH Zwickau was established by famed German car manufacturer August Horch. Horch, whose name means “hear” or “listen” in German, lent his name to Audi through a Latin version of the German word Horch, which comes out as “Audi.” Today, Audi is at the front of the pack of luxury automobiles worldwide, along with fellow German makes Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
Audi’s fortunes have ebbed and flowed over the years and decades, but global sales have been growing strongly since the start of the new millennium. The auto make currently has production facilities around the world, including in Mexico although none exist in the U.S. at present.
The Audi line consists of nearly 40 models and variants today, including eight cars and ten SUVs, from superminis to full-size luxury cars and subcompact crossover SUVs to full-size crossover SUVs. Audi’s model family also includes ten sports models of varying sizes and half a dozen Rennsport or “racing sport” models. The model line includes several electric vehicles, and Audi is in the process of developing self-driving vehicles as well.
Defects and Safety Recalls
Despite the reputation German engineering has traditionally enjoyed in the automotive industry, Audi has had its share of defects, recalls, and even scandals related to safety and compliance with U.S. laws.
Modern History of Audi Issues
In the 1980s, issues of sudden unintended acceleration in Audi vehicles were linked to hundreds of accidents and several fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) eventually concluded driver error was responsible for the majority of reported incidents, although it later acknowledged that a mechanical failure caused the initial unintended acceleration, which then led to collisions when confused or panicked drivers misapplied the appropriate pedal in response to the shocking and traumatic experience of unintended acceleration.
Later, Audi was implicated in the Volkswagen scandal of 2014-2016 for intentionally bypassing emissions control systems. Many Audi SUVs were recalled for diesel emissions that violated the federal Clean Air Act.
Not surprisingly, Audi was also caught up in the issue of defective Takata airbag inflators that were known to break apart with explosive force, sending dangerous shrapnel into the passenger cabin on deployment. Audi recalled vehicles in 2009-2012 to deal with this issue yet continued to experience other issues warranting recalls over airbags and seatbelt pretensioner defects in 2017.
Various 2012-2016 Audi models experienced engine cooling and overheating problems various models 2012-2016, while other 2013-2017 models were victims of a fuel pump crack and leak. All of these problems raised the risk of vehicle fire requiring recalls of the affected models. Also during this time, faulty brakes and brake lights in the 2016-2017 Audi Q3 introduced the danger of collision with drivers of other vehicles who could not tell the defective Audi was braking and react in time to avoid impact.
Current Open Audi Recalls
Some of the most notable current open Audi recalls include the following (this list is not exhaustive):
2024-2025 Audi Q4 e-tron SUV, Sportback and ID.4 – A defect in the on-board charger could cause it to fail, resulting in a loss of drive power due to failure to charge the 12-volt battery
Gear Position Indicator – A defect in the instrument panel could cause it to improperly display the vehicle’s gear position, which could lead to a vehicle rollaway or other adverse consequences. Over 60,000 2021-2023 ID.4 and 2022-2023 Q4 e-tron and Sportback vehicles could be affected.
Rearview Camera – An error in the camera control unit of certain 2024-2025 Q3 models could result in failure to display a rearview camera image, increasing the risk of a crash in violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111, “Rear Visibility.”
2022-2024 Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT – A short circuit in the high-voltage battery could occur, leading to a dangerous vehicle fire.
Fuel Suction Pump – Another fire risk was detected in over a quarter-million Volkswagen and Audi models due to a defect in the fuel tank’s suction jet pump seal.
High-Voltage Battery and Charging Cable – The high-voltage battery in certain 2020-2022 e-tron Sportback Quattro and 2019-2022 e-tron Quattro models could overheat, creating a dangerous fire risk. Yet another recall, this one affecting nearly 100,000 various Audi electric vehicle models from 2020-2024, raises the risk of fire from an overheating outlet or charging cable when the EVs are plugged into home power outlets at the 100% charge setting.
Contact Nita Lemon Law Firm for Help With California Lemon Law Claims Involving Audi Warranty Defects
If you own or lease an Audi that has significant use, value, or safety defects covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, but the dealer isn’t able to fix them after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be entitled to have your vehicle replaced or repurchased by the dealer. California lemon law attorney Nick Nita can help you assert your rights under the law.
In Los Angeles or statewide, contact Nita Lemon Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced and successful California lemon law attorney.
