Audi has initiated a recall for more than 50,000 vehicles due to a power reduction problem stemming from leaked liquids in the back seats of the automobile.
According to a report by CarScoops, certain Audi models such as A6, A7, S6, RS6, and RS7 are impacted, encompassing a total of 50,883 cars. These affected models belong to the years 2018 to 2022. When liquid spills occur on the rear benches of these specific models, it can seep into the car’s gateway module positioned underneath. This can result in harm to the internal electronics, causing the gateway module to activate emergency or limp mode, consequently restricting engine power. Steering and braking operations remain unaffected; however, the abrupt power loss could enhance the likelihood of an accident.
Audi has recognized 46 claims indicative of this issue in circulation. Thankfully, there have been no reports of accidents or injuries associated with this problem.
The problem initially gained attention at Audi after the Q5 and SQ5 models were recalled last year due to similar concerns. In those vehicles, fluid could access the gateway module through an underbody seam, as well as via spills in the rear seats. However, for this recall, Audi has pinpointed that spills from above are the singular trigger of the issue.
The corrective action for the recall involves fitting a protective cover on the gateway module to shield it against spills. Audi has incorporated this component into all new models manufactured from April 4, 2022, thereby mitigating the problem in more recent production vehicles. Affected owners will receive notification via mail, with letters scheduled to be dispatched by January 20, 2023.
Spills within the vehicle are a commonplace incident for numerous families with children seated in the rear seats. Even adults are not immune to inadvertently spilling a soda or water bottle. It is somewhat surprising that Audi had left the gateway module relatively vulnerable underneath. This will be a lesson etched in the minds of the engineers in Ingolstadt for the foreseeable future.
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