Audi Q5 PHEV Hits Recall In Australia, Here's The Problem

JAKARTA - Bad news came from Audi, the car manufacturer had to withdraw the Q5 Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) model in Australia for the 2021-2023 production year.

Based on a report from Drive, quoted on Tuesday, March 4, the withdrawal of the Audi Q5 PHEV model in Australia was due to potential errors in modules mounted on high-voltage batteries.

Affected vehicles are stamped with the 2021-2023 model, but allow them to have been sold in the future in Australia. This total recall involved 116 vehicles.

"Due to manufacturing issues, modules installed on high-voltage batteries may be damaged", said the local Infrastructure Department.

It was also revealed that there is a big risk to the problem, especially during charging. The excess heat is said to cause a fire in the vehicle used.

"Vehicle fires can increase the risk of injury or death in vehicle passengers, other road users, people around or property damage," the report read.

In response to the issue, Audi Australia has advised affected vehicle drivers to avoid charging high-voltage batteries with external charging sources, and not to use electric vehicle driving mode until software updates are available.

"Please don't charge high-voltage batteries using external charging sources. In addition, Audi asks owners not to use 'Battery charge' and 'Battery hold' e-tron modes," said Audi's suggestion.

The move, according to Audi, is necessary for vehicle safety, and owners can still use the vehicle as long as they follow this echoed suggestion.

"After the software update is available, the affected vehicle owners will be contacted by Audi Australia Pty Ltd and asked to schedule a meeting agreement with their preferred dealer so that the update is made free of charge," wrote Audi.