Audi is recalling 9,048 Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron electric SUVs in the United States over concerns that their batteries could catch fire when charged above 80 per cent.
The recall, detailed in a filing with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and reported by InsideEVs, affects 2024 and 2025 models manufactured between late 2023 and April 2025.
According to Audi, certain charging patterns combined with a battery charge exceeding 80 per cent could trigger “thermal propagation”, a process in which heat spreads from one battery cell to another, potentially causing a fire.
Until a permanent fix is available, some affected owners have been advised to limit charging to 80 per cent.
The battery cells were supplied by SK On from its manufacturing plant in Hungary.
The recall follows Volkswagen’s decision to recall 22,524 ID.4 electric SUVs earlier this month over a similar battery fire risk, highlighting ongoing safety concerns involving batteries used in electric vehicles.
Audi said it was unaware of any fires, crashes or injuries linked to the defect and estimated that only about 0.1 per cent of the affected vehicles had the problem.
However, the company has yet to determine the root cause. In comparison, Lucid’s August recall of 27,185 Air sedans cited three fires.
The battery cells were supplied by SK Battery Manufacturing, based in Komárom, Hungary, and owned by South Korean battery maker SK On.
Audi began investigating the issue after Volkswagen identified thermal runaway in some batteries of the same type used in its vehicles.
The Q4 e-tron shares its platform with Volkswagen’s ID.4. On 9 October, Volkswagen recalled 22,524 ID.4 electric SUVs in the US over a similar battery fire risk involving charging above 80 per cent, according to electrive. The affected vehicles use battery cells supplied by SK Battery America.
A week later, Volkswagen announced plans to limit charging to 80 per cent on certain ID.3, ID.4, ID.7 and ID. Buzz models in Europe and the UK.
