AUDI and Porsche have recalled 33,000 cars over an unusual issue that could cause vehicles to burst into flames.
The two firms have called in some of their most popular electric models after the dangerous fault was discovered.
Audi and Porche have recalled thousands of cars over a dangerous fire risk[/caption]
The recall was announced earlier this month by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Under the notice, more than 27,000 Porsches and 6,000 Audis are set to undergo emergency repairs.
The impacted models are potentially suffering from a battery fault which could lead to what the agency called “thermal events”.
Apparently, the vehicles’ high-voltage batteries are susceptible to short-circuiting as a result of “production issues”.
This can result in the battery catching fire without any visible warning.
How can I check if my car is part of a recall?
If you own a car that’s been recently recalled, you can easily check your VIN.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) makes it incredibly quick and easy for drivers to check and see if their vehicle is part of a recent (or past) recall.
The VIN checking tool also allows drivers to see whether or not the repair was completed within the last 15 years, making it an incredible tool for buyers of used cars.
All recalls initiated by the NHTSA mean free repairs for drivers, even if it’s an engine or a transmission replacement. If your VIN shows an active recall that has not been repaired, it’s important to make an appointment at your nearest dealership.
Here’s how to make an appointment for a recall:
- Look up your VIN using the NHTSA tool.
- Find out the recall number/ID from the manufacturer.
- Call your nearest dealership’s service center with the ID number handy, and mention you’d like to schedule an appointment to repair the recall. The repair can only be done at a dealership, as they’re authorized by the manufacturer to conduct the repair free of cost using genuine parts.
- Try to make the appointment as soon as possible.
- Once the repair is completed, the dealership will update the information associated with the VIN to reflect it’s been completed.
Source: NHTSA
Porsche’s Taycan EV from between 2020 and 2024 is the main area of concern, with 27,527 under recall.
This is with the exception of Taycans made after April 2024, which have already seen the problem addressed.
However, Audi’s e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT models, which are based on the same platform, have also been included from 2022-24.
The manufacturers are set to send out dealership notification letters next week and owner letters from November 29.
You can check if your car is one of those impacted on the NHTSA website or by calling Porsche’s customer care team on 1-800-767-7243, quoting recall numbers ARB6 and ARB7.
This isn’t the first time Porsche has seen similar issues with the Taycan, though.
Back in June, all post-2020 Taycans worldwide were recalled to fix a potentially dangerous front brake issue.
And an almost identical battery fire risk saw the model recalled in Australia as early as May this year.
What should I do if my car is recalled?
In the event that your Taycan or e-tron is subject to the recall, it is advised not to charge the car above 80% capacity until repairs can be made.
Get in touch with the manufacturer to book an appointment at a dealership or accredited workshop as soon as possible.
Technicians will inspect the battery and replace it free of charge if an issue is detected.
New diagnostic software will also be installed as standard.
If this detects any issues, it will display a warning notice on the dashboard and limit the charging capacity of the battery until it is replaced.
