2022 Audi E-TRON Sportback

Component/System: Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Brake Pedal Assembly / Steering Linkage Description of Defect: A progressive mechanical noise and physical sensation occurs during driving transitions involving the brake, accelerator, and steering column. After the brake pedal is fully released and the accelerator is pressed, or when the steering wheel is turned, a distinct loud "thunk" and a sliding/dragging sound emanate from the brake pedal assembly area. When the accelerator is released, a secondary "click" sound is heard and felt through the controls. This condition did not exist when the vehicle was new and has progressively worsened in frequency and volume. The symptoms suggest a binding mechanical linkage, failing master cylinder pushrod bushing, or interference with the steering column shaft, potentially compromising braking response or causing pedal entrapment. Safety Risk: The physical sliding sensation and mechanical degradation pose a severe safety risk. Mechanical binding or un-isolated movement within the pedal box can cause unexpected resistance or delay when transitioning to emergency braking, increasing stopping distances or causing total failure of the brake pedal to actuate or return properly, increasing crash risk. Dealer / Manufacturer Actions: The vehicle was presented to an authorized Audi dealership. Comprehensive video and audio evidence explicitly capturing the exact "thunk," dragging noise, and click during vehicle operation was sent directly to dealership staff. Despite having irrefutable video confirmation of the defect, the dealer has refused to properly diagnose or address the issue. The dealership is now completely ignoring all communication, failing to return calls, and disregarding this critical safety defect. Warning Symptoms: No electronic dashboard warning lights or fault messages. Symptoms are strictly mechanical and acoustic, amplifying over time.

After dealership service and recall-related calibration work, my vehicle developed multiple safety-related issues that did not exist prior to service. The dealership documented a diagnostic trouble code for “Hybrid/EV Battery Thermal Runaway Detected” (P29FF00), a critical high-voltage battery safety fault. Instead of diagnosing and repairing the root cause, the dealership cleared the fault code and returned the vehicle to me, stating it was operating as designed. Following this, the vehicle has exhibited abnormal and unsafe behavior, including significant and inconsistent loss of driving range, irregular energy consumption, regenerative braking issues, and braking concerns such as squealing, mechanical drag, and rotor heat buildup affecting stopping performance. Additionally, multiple control modules associated with the recall and calibration work are affected, including systems related to driver assistance and vehicle operation. These systems required recalibration, and the vehicle’s behavior changed following this process, raising concerns about improper calibration of safety-critical systems such as lane keeping and stability functions. The dealership’s documentation confirms fault codes were erased without confirmed repair or root cause resolution. No clear diagnostic explanation was provided for the battery fault or related system issues. Audi of America has been notified and has refused further escalation or assistance, directing all responsibility back to the dealership despite unresolved safety concerns. I am concerned the vehicle is operating with unresolved high-voltage battery and system faults that pose a serious safety risk, including potential battery failure, loss of braking performance, and malfunctioning driver assistance systems

I own a 2022 Audi e-tron Sportback that experienced multiple serious issues involving the high-voltage battery system. During service at Audi South Atlanta, the dealership documented diagnostic trouble code P29FF00 – Hybrid/EV Battery Thermal Runaway Detected. This code is related to battery overheating and potential thermal runaway, which is a critical safety condition in electric vehicles. Despite identifying this safety-related fault, the dealership did not perform any repair or replace any components. Instead, they cleared the fault codes and returned the vehicle to me stating it is operating as designed. Prior to and during this issue, the vehicle experienced: •Severe range reduction (approximately 60 miles at 60% charge) •Charging interruptions and warning messages •Regenerative braking malfunction •Abnormal energy consumption •Mechanical drag and braking irregularities These issues are consistent with a high-voltage battery or power system defect. The dealership’s decision to reset the fault code without addressing the underlying cause raises serious safety concerns. A thermal runaway-related fault should not be cleared and ignored, as it may indicate a risk of battery failure or fire. I am concerned that this vehicle may be unsafe to operate and that the defect was not properly diagnosed or repaired.

1.Perfect vehicle before 93V2 recall - No issues with regenerative braking or battery before recall 2.93V2 recall applied August 19, 2025 at Audi McKinney (Note: Audi had initially failed to apply the recall at my May 23, 2025 scheduled appointment, choosing instead to “enable remote monitoring”) 3.Complete regenerative braking failure within 3 days of recall - [XXX] 4.Battery thermal runaway faults documented - P29FF00 and P29FF01 codes (the exact fire risk the recall was supposed to prevent) 5.Four failed repair attempts over 54+ days: •Aug 19, 2025: 93V2 recall applied •[XXX]: First failure, P29FF00 fault, faults cleared •[XXX]: Second failure after 18-day service, P29FF01 fault •[XXX]: Third failure (only 5 days after promised “fix”) •Currently ongoing: Fourth repair attempt 6.Audi cannot fix the defect - Technicians confirmed they only clear codes and perform “basic settings,” no actual repair 7.False promises from management - Service Directors Davis Adame and Michael Bush personally promised vehicle was “completely fixed” and tested for “couple of days” - failed 5 days later 8.Vehicle described as unsafe - Technician confirmed regenerative braking “does not work,” vehicle randomly fails to start with “System malfunction” errors INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)