Audi Recalls 9,048 Q4 e-tron SUVs Over Battery Fire Risk — Owners Told to Limit Charging to 80%

Audi has filed NHTSA safety recall 26V698 covering 9,048 vehicles — 2024–2025 Audi Q4 e-tron (7,040) and Q4 Sportback e-tron (2,008) — over a high-voltage battery fire risk. The recall was submitted on October 21, 2026 by Volkswagen Group of America, with an estimated 0.1% defect rate.

The defect

According to the NHTSA filing, the root cause is still under investigation. However, certain high-voltage batteries within the affected population may not meet required quality standards. As a result, a state of charge above 80% may trigger thermal propagation within the high-voltage battery, which could lead to a vehicle fire.

The affected battery cells were manufactured by SK Battery Manufacturing Kft. in Komárom, Hungary (part number 0Z1.915.599.*).

Timeline and discovery

• September 21, 2026 — Audi's Product Safety Committee was informed of high-voltage battery thermal events in certain Volkswagen Group vehicles equipped with the same battery type. No corresponding field cases involving Audi vehicles were known at that time.
• September 21 – October 14, 2026 — In-depth assessment: identification of the affected population, review of battery design, production records, statistical data, and diagnostic information.
• October 14, 2026 — The Product Safety Committee confirmed the relevant battery characteristics were present in a defined Q4 e-tron population (majority produced for North America) and decided on a voluntary safety recall.

What owners should do

Until the remedy is completed, Audi advises a "Do Not Drive — Park Outside" consumer advisory. Specifically:

• Limit charging to 80% state of charge
• Park outside to reduce fire risk to structures
• Do not drive the vehicle until the recall remedy is performed (per the filing's remedy type)

Audi states it is not aware of any claims, crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths associated with this defect in Audi vehicles specifically — the recall is described as a precautionary measure based on thermal events observed in other Volkswagen Group vehicles using the same battery type.

Canadian owners

The NHTSA filing covers U.S.-registered vehicles. Canadian owners of 2024–2025 Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron should monitor Transport Canada for a parallel recall notice (TSR), which typically follows within a few weeks of a U.S. filing. In the interim, the 80% charge limit and outdoor parking advice apply to any vehicle with the same battery cells regardless of market.

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