Nearly 100,000 units of the Audi e-tron and Q8 e-tron are being recalled worldwide over a potentially dangerous braking defect. The issue can render the conventional foot brake completely inoperative, leaving the electronic parking brake as the only fallback. The recall also applies in Belgium, where the model was manufactured.
Audi has initiated a worldwide safety recall affecting 96,180 units of the e-tron quattro and Q8 e-tron electric SUVs. The action covers both the regular and Sportback body variants, built between 2019 and 2024, and spans multiple markets, including Europe and North America.
One bolt is the problem
The root cause is deceptively simple: a single fastener. The screw connecting the brake pedal’s input rod to the actuator rod on the brake booster may not have been tightened to the required torque specification during production. But the consequences can be severe. If that connection comes loose, the foot brake pedal can become fully inoperable while driving.
Audi says drivers may notice an unusual noise or observe that the brake pedal fails to return to its rest position. These are two early warning signs. Should the pedal become unresponsive, the only remaining option is the electronic parking brake (the independently functioning regeneration offers a soft deceleration of 0.3 g, but a hard brake needs three times that force). Not exactly the preferred option in an emergency situation.
Supplier fault at Aumovio Germany
Audi traces the defect to its brake booster supplier, Aumovio Germany, which at the time was called Continental Automotive. Apparently, the division experienced a malfunction at its fastening station during production.
The issue affects four specific part numbers listed in the official recall documentation. Reportedly, Aumovio corrected its screwing process in May 2024, meaning only vehicles produced before that date are at risk.
Audi was already aware of the problem and initiated a recall for early-production models, but the issue resurfaced at the beginning of this year. Two suspect assemblies that were not part of the first recall were returned as field parts.
Then, three additional cases of the same problem followed, prompting the carmaker to conduct a deeper investigation. So far, no accidents or injuries linked to the defect have been registered.
Belgian connection
While the recall covers nearly 100,000 vehicles worldwide, the number of cars affected in Belgium is 2,938 units, of which 88 have already been fixed during the first recall. But the Belgian relevance runs deeper than the numbers sold.
The Audi e-tron was manufactured at the Forest plant in Brussels, which closed in February 2025, ending e-tron production due to poor sales and as part of Volkswagen Group’s broader cost-reduction program targeting 50,000 job cuts by 2030. The successor to the Q8 e-tron is supposed to be built in Mexico.
The vehicles now subject to recall carry VINs starting with ‘W’ or the code for (former) West Germany, despite having been assembled in Belgium. The fix is relatively straightforward and free of charge.
Audi dealers will inspect the brake booster’s pushrod screw joint and, where necessary, restrengthen it to specification. No parts replacement is required in most cases.
Belgian owners of an Audi e-tron or Q8 e-tron (model years 2019-2024) can verify whether their specific vehicle is affected by entering their 17-character chassis number (VIN) at recall.dieteren.be. Official notification letters to affected owners have been sent by e-mail. A formal print letter will be sent out after the importer D’ieteren has received the so-called safety gate reference from the government.
