It’s back to the EV drawing board. Volkswagen and Audi have recalled 14,000 electric vehicles in the US as a result of a newly discovered issue which could be potentially dangerous, if a mishap occurs in the wrong place at the wrong time.
According to this manufacturer, this particular issue was of great concern as the malfunction could cause loss of power during driving, putting drivers and passengers at risk.
The recall is for certain Volkswagen ID.4 and Audi Q4 e-tron vehicles. Volkswagen explained that the problem relates to a potential failure in the 12-volt battery charging system. When the system fails, the main power supply of the vehicle can be affected. This can cause the vehicle to lose power suddenly, which can be dangerous.
Volkswagen said that drivers may notice warning messages before the actual power loss happens. Some affected vehicles have already shown signs of the issue. In these cases, the charging system fails, and the car enters a limited performance mode before it just shuts down completely. This can be dangerous, especially at high speeds or in heavy traffic.
They have found the problem
Audi and Volkswagen have confirmed though, that they have isolated the issue based on customer complaints as well as company testing. They said that they were able to trace the root of the problem back to a unit called the OCDC, which regulates the charge to the 12-volt battery. When the device fails, it ceases to deliver power. Without the functionality of the 12-volt system, even vitally important systems like lights, steering, and brakes fail.
The company also confirmed that cars involved were produced between 2022 and 2024. While not all cars are affected by the defect, Volkswagen and Audi sayd that they are playing it safe. The cars are being recalled as a precaution to prevent accidents and protect drivers.
The owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted soon. They will be requested to get their vehicles taken to their local dealer for a free fix. The dealership’s technicians will replace the defective OCDC component with a newer one – that works perfectly. The company says that this should correct the problem and avoid loss of power in the future.
Recalls are nothing new for Volkswagen
This is not the first time VW and Audi have issued recalls for electric vehicles (they issued one just recently). There was another software failure last year that made some ID.4 and Q4 e-tron models lose power. Automakers are still working out EV technology, and the occasional glitch will happen. But abrupt power loss is a big deal, especially as more people are making the switch to electric vehicles.
Reports show that the issue is under close observation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This organisation works with the manufacturers of the cars to ensure that the recalls for safety are done early and executed smoothly. Affected vehicle owners are urged to schedule repair appointments at their nearest dealerships at the first available opportunity.
In spite of these setbacks, Volkswagen and Audi are sticking to electric mobility as their go-to for now (they did try their hand at hydrogen though). The two companies are heavily investing in EV technology and see it as the future. They are working towards enhancing reliability and performance as they phase out petrol and diesel engines.
Meanwhile, owners of Volkswagen and Audi cars must check their mailboxes and inboxes for recall notices. If in doubt, they can contact their local dealer or visit the companies’ websites for more information. Safety is paramount, and this recall is a precautionary step to keep drivers safe on the road.
