VW Group EV Battery Recall Expands to 85,402 Vehicles as Audi Q4 E-Tron Joins Fire Risk Probe

Volkswagen Group has significantly expanded its ongoing electric vehicle battery recall to include the Audi Q4 E-Tron and Q4 Sportback E-Tron models. This latest addition brings the total number of affected vehicles globally to 85,402. The expansion follows earlier recalls that impacted Volkswagen ID. series vehicles and Cupra Born models. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority, known as the KBA, added these Audi models to its recall database on October 27, 2026. This move highlights the widespread nature of the battery issue across multiple brands within the Volkswagen Group.

The recall stems from a risk of battery overheating that could potentially lead to a fire under specific conditions. Volkswagen has advised owners of affected vehicles to limit charging to 80 percent of the battery capacity until a permanent fix is available. The company stated that certain charging profiles combined with a state of charge over 80 percent may trigger thermal propagation within the high-voltage battery. While the root cause remains under investigation, this precautionary measure aims to mitigate immediate safety risks for owners.

In the United States, Volkswagen Group of America filed a recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on October 23, 2026. This filing covers 9,048 Audi Q4 E-Tron and Q4 Sportback E-Tron vehicles from the 2024 and 2025 model years. Globally, the Audi recall impacts 12,734 vehicles. Audi reported that it is not aware of any claims, crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths associated with the Q4 E-Tron battery issue. However, the company is proceeding with the recall as a precautionary measure based on internal investigations.

The Audi recall follows the identification of battery thermal events in other Volkswagen Group vehicles that use the same battery type. Audi’s Product Safety Committee was informed of these events on September 21, 2026. An internal investigation confirmed that the same battery and production characteristics were present in a defined group of Q4 E-Trons, most of which were built for the North American market. The cells for these Audi vehicles were supplied by SK Battery Manufacturing of Komárom, Hungary, a unit of SK On.

Owners of affected Audi vehicles in the US are advised to visit an authorized Audi dealer for a diagnostic check. If necessary, the dealer will impose a temporary state-of-charge limit of 80 percent. Audi expects to mail interim letters notifying owners of the safety risks on December 18, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once a permanent remedy is available. The recall number for Audi is 93SK, and the NHTSA campaign number is 26V698.

This expansion adds to the existing recalls for Volkswagen ID.4, ID.3, ID.7, ID. Buzz, and Cupra Born models. The KBA lists three separate recalls covering 72,668 VW Group EVs worldwide, including 9,881 in Germany. These recalls affect models produced between 2022 and 2025. The US recall for the ID.4 covers 22,524 vehicles from model years 2023 to 2026. Volkswagen has not yet identified the root cause of the defect or released a permanent repair for any of the affected models.

The situation draws comparisons to previous battery recalls in the industry, such as the Chevrolet Bolt fiasco. Owners are advised to monitor official communications from Volkswagen and Audi for updates on the remedy. The company has stated that a later software update will detect abnormalities in individual battery modules, and modules or entire batteries will be replaced where needed. Until then, the 80 percent charging limit remains the primary safety guideline for all affected vehicles.

Volkswagen Group continues to work with regulators in Germany and the United States to resolve the battery safety issue. The company has emphasized that the recalls are precautionary and that no injuries or deaths have been reported in connection with the Audi Q4 E-Tron. Owners can contact Audi customer service or the NHTSA hotline for more information. The ongoing investigation focuses on production faults at suppliers that may have led to increased thermal stress in rare cases.