New Audi E-Tron Recalled Over Battery Fire Risk

The New Audi E-Tron electric SUV was loaded with promise but with this voluntary recall pertaining to a potential battery fire is not helping the SUV’s cause.

It started when other media and reports came out displaying the electric Audi E-Tron was not exactly delivering on its potential. Its high price, large battery but relatively short range and no better than average performance quickly disappointed.

At one point, that was even talk about Audi not being satisfied with the E-Tron’s development and launching the vehicle regardless. Now, the news that Audi is voluntarily recalling a number of Audi E-Tron EVs, 540 for the moment, sold in the US, is not helping the cause. The issue is that moisture could enter the battery compartment through a faulty seal which could potentially lead to a short circuit or even a serious fire.

The total number of recalled E-Tron SUVs globally is of 1,644. At the moment, the fix has not been implemented as Audi intends to make it available as of August. In the meantime, the Audi E-Tron is still for sale and current owners will be eligible for an $800 cash card for rental fees and fuel.

This is certainly not the launch plan Audi had in mind for its first all-electric vehicle. There are three other E-Tron products coming in the near future all of which are highly anticipated. Difficult to say if the E-Tron SUV’s woes will affect or delay introductions of the other vehicles.