More Than 200 Luxury EVs Recalled Due to Battery-Related Fire Risk

Visitors look at Audi's RS e-tron GT car during a press preview of the Seoul Mobility Show at KINTEX exhibition hall in Goyang on November 25, 2021. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP) Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images

More than 200 luxury electric vehicles (EVs) will be recalled in Australia due to a manufacturing issue that could increase the risk of fire.

Audi will recall e-tron GT EV models released in 2022 and 2023 due to an issue with the sealing of the high-voltage battery housing, which may reduce overtime, allowing moisture to enter.

The 2023 Audi e-tron GT is a sleek luxury electric car that markets for about $180,000 (US$118,000) in Australia plus on-road costs.

A total of 222 units are impacted by the recall notice, which was published on the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication, and the Arts website on Jan. 24.

“Due to a manufacturing issue, the sealing of the high-voltage battery housing may reduce overtime, allowing moisture to enter. The moisture may potentially result in an electrical short circuit increasing the risk of fire,” the notice says.

The recall notice warned that the moisture issue could increase the risk of fire, potentially leading to death or injury.

“A vehicle fire could increase the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users and/or damage to property,” the recall notice said.

Owners of this type of luxury electric vehicle will be contacted by Audi Australia for repairs at a local dealership, free of charge.

The e-tron GT is a high-performance car with powerful electric motors and advanced suspension systems and a stylish interior and exterior.

Meanwhile, 627 KIA KA4 Carnival 2023 2.2 CRDI diesel cars have also been recalled due to an issue with the manufacturing of an engine wiring harness that could increase the risk of an accident.

In addition, 2,513 Volvo XC40 cars have been recalled due to a software issue impacting the left turn indicator lamp.

“Due to a software issue, the left turn indicator lamp may not illuminate as intended. If the left turn indicator lamp do not illuminate as intended, other road users would be unable to identify if the vehicle is turning,” the recall notice on Jan. 24 states.

Finally, in a recall notice also issued on Jan. 24, 5,997 Volkswagen Passat, Gold and Arteon cars in the year range 2019 to 2023 have been recalled due to a manufacturing issue that could cause a vehicle fire.

“Due to a manufacturing issue, the heat shield between the brake master cylinder and the exhaust may have been incorrectly fitted. As a result, a connection to the brake fluid reservoir could melt. If this occurs, brake fluid may leak on to a hot exhaust there which could lead to a vehicle fire,” the recall notice said.

Tesla EVs Recalled A Week Ago

The Audi recall comes after more than 4,000 Tesla electric cars were recalled due to a defect with the steering wheel operation.

The Tesla Model Y and Model 3 EVs from the years 2022 and 2023 had to be recalled, according to a notice published by the Australian Government’s vehicle recalls website on Jan. 18.

“Due to a software issue, the steering wheel may feel notchy when operating the vehicle in cold temperatures,” the notice said.

“There is no safety hazard and the defect will not affect the performance of the vehicle.”

Owners of 4,382 impacted cars have been asked to contact Tesla or make an appointment to update their vehicle software to 2023.38 or later at no cost.