NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Volkswagen Q4 E-Tron and Q4 Sportback E-Tron recall: The high voltage battery may fail and cause a fire

Recall published 4 days ago

The high voltage battery may fail and cause a fire.

The hazard: Fuel leak or fire risk

A fire risk is what prompted this recall, and the manufacturer’s parking instruction is the part of the notice people most often skip.

What the notice says: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Why it matters: The vehicle may leak fuel, or a component may overheat enough to start a fire. Several of these campaigns involve a fire risk while the vehicle is parked and switched off, which is why the parking instructions matter.

Recall details

Recall number
26V698000
Published
October 21, 2026
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Volkswagen
Product type
Electrical System
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Audi Q4 e-tron · Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 26V698000

Products covered by this recall

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Q4 E-Tron and Q4 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail and cause a fire.

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 2 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • Q4 E-Tron
  • Q4 Sportback E-Tron

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Fuel / fire

Volkswagen — A fire risk is what prompted this recall, and the manufacturer’s parking instruction is the part of the notice people most often skip.

  1. Read the risk note above carefully. If it says to park outdoors and away from buildings, do that tonight — the fire can start with the engine off and the key indoors.
  2. If you smell fuel, see a leak under the car or notice smoke or a burning smell, stop driving it and have it towed.
  3. Park away from the house, the garage and other vehicles until the repair is finished, and do not leave it charging unattended if it is electric.
  4. Keep the repair order the dealer hands you. It is your proof the campaign was closed out, and it matters at resale.

What the recall repair costs you

Nothing, and that is a legal obligation rather than a goodwill gesture. The question worth asking is what else is covered.

  • Recall work is free for as long as you own the vehicle, with no mileage limit, no age limit for the current owner, and no requirement that you bought the car from that dealer.
  • Ask about a loaner or rental when you book, not when you arrive. On a parts-delayed campaign it is frequently available and almost never volunteered.
  • Keep receipts for towing, storage or a rental you arranged yourself — reimbursement for these is common where the vehicle was undrivable.
  • If you already paid an independent garage for the same fix, submit the invoice to the manufacturer under their reimbursement plan.

Remedy named in the notice: Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% capacity until the repair has been completed. The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 93SK. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 23, 2026.

Company contact: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Volkswagen electrical system recalled?

The high voltage battery may fail and cause a fire. A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Read the risk note above carefully. If it says to park outdoors and away from buildings, do that tonight — the fire can start with the engine off and the key indoors.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% capacity until the repair has been completed. The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 93SK. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall…

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

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