2022 Audi E-TRON Sportback

A vehicle was taken to a collision repair facility following minor front-end damage. At intake, the repair facility documented visible exterior damage but did not perform or document an underbody inspection, which is necessary to assess high-voltage battery integrity in electric vehicles. After the vehicle entered teardown, the repair facility later claimed that the high-voltage battery was damaged and recommended that the vehicle be declared a total loss. This determination was made without documented evidence of required OEM diagnostic procedures and without initial intake documentation supporting battery damage. The sequence and timing of documentation raises concern that the battery damage determination was made after teardown rather than through proper inspection protocols. A subsequent manufacturer-level evaluation did not support the claim of battery damage. This situation presents a safety concern regarding whether proper high-voltage battery inspection and handling procedures are being followed by collision repair facilities. Misidentifying or improperly handling high-voltage battery conditions in electric vehicles can pose safety risks, including potential thermal events, improper classification of vehicle safety, or unsafe return to service. This complaint is submitted to request review of whether proper safety and OEM procedures were followed in evaluating the high-voltage battery, and whether this reflects a broader safety issue in electric vehicle collision repair practices.