Audi has recalled hundreds of vehicles in its e-tron range over fears the battery could short circuit and cause a fire.
The recall notice, issued earlier this week, affects 369 vehicles, e-tron GT and RS GT, from 2020 to 2024.
“Due to a manufacturing problem, the cell modules installed in the high-voltage battery may be defective,” the notice states.
‘A short circuit could cause thermal overload and eventually cause a vehicle fire. The potential defect can be determined with an initial check.’
The e-tron was launched in late 2018 as Audi’s first fully electric vehicle.
A new e-tron GT starts at $160,922 and incurs an additional $22,977 luxury vehicle tax, according to Audi’s website.
An RS e-tron GT starts at $213,768 and incurs a luxury vehicle tax of nearly $40,000.
The e-tron was launched in late 2018 as Audi’s first fully electric vehicle. The recall notice, issued earlier this week, affects 369 vehicles, e-tron GT and RS GT, from 2020 to 2024.
Audi Australia will contact owners of affected vehicles and ask them to make an appointment for a battery inspection.
If the inspection detects a defect, Audi will repair the vehicle free of charge.
As a precaution, owners have been “urgently” warned not to charge the battery to more than 80 per cent until their vehicle has been inspected.
“This minimizes the potential risk described above and also protects the battery,” the recall notice states.