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Luxury SUVs recalled for fire risk


Audi has issued a recall for its plug-in hybrid Q5 SUV for a potential fire risk.

A total of 116 examples built between 2021 and 2023 were caught up in the recall according to the official notice issued by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

A manufacturing issue could mean a part of the high-voltage battery is defective. This can lead to thermal overload during charging, which could result in a vehicle fire.

If a vehicle fire occurs it could lead to an increased risk of injury or death to the vehicle occupants or other road users and could lead to property damage.

Audi Australia has urged owners to not charge the battery and to not use the Battery Charge and Battery Hold modes.

The Battery Charge mode uses the engine to top up the battery while driving. Battery Hold Mode maintains the battery level while driving, it uses less power to drive the wheels and tops up the battery with regenerative braking power in a similar way to a conventional hybrid.

Audi said the issue can be fixed with a software update. Owners will be contacted when the update is available and asked to visit their preferred dealer to have it performed free of charge.

Audi Q5 plug-in hybrid. Audi Q5 plug-in hybrid.

The Audi Q5 55TFSI e plug-in hybrid was launched in Australia in 2023, but it appears some models may be been built years earlier.

It combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylidner petrol engine with an electric motor and a 17.9kWh battery for total outputs of 270kW and 500Nm and an electric only driving range of 55 kilometres.