The two largest SUVs in the brand’s lineup share the same mechanical elements
The V6-powered models could experience fuel pump problems
New software could prevent the fuel pump from getting damaged by plastic fragments in the fuel
Audi is launching a recall campaign for the 2019 to 2021 models of the Q7 and the Q8, its two largest and most luxurious SUVs.
This recall has been prompted by a total of 74 complaints of customers who say their vehicle suddenly lost power and became undrivable.
Audi has not yet fully determined the cause of this issue, but a potential cause has been identified as excessive pulsations in the low-pressure fuel system that could lead to the degradation of a plastic part in the fuel tank.
This as yet unidentified part could then release plastic fragments in the fuel which can then be picked up by the high-pressure fuel pump.
Audi determined that once this happens, the pressure regulator of the high-pressure fuel pump can be damaged, which can then lead to a loss of power caused by an irregular flow of fuel reaching the engine. Audi says the Check Engine light is usually activated to alert the driver when this problem occurs.
This problem affects 30,412 units of the Q8 SUV and 19,031 units of the Q7 SUV for a total of 49,443 vehicles recalled. Audi expects about two percent of these vehicles to actually present this issue.
All of the affected vehicles are powered by the optional V6 engine and they were all built between August 8, 2018, and January 29, 2021.
After this cut-off date, a different low-pressure fuel pump was introduced to the production line, as well as a new software designed to reduce the severity of the pulsations.
Owners of the affected vehicles in the United States will be notified by mail starting on September 16, after which they will be able to have their dealer change the fuel delivery module in their vehicle.
