Audi Issues Recall on E-Tron As It Makes First Deliveries

The e-Tron, which has only just started to be delivered to customers reportedly has a faulty seal that could allow moisture into the battery compartment and potentially cause trouble—from triggering warning lights on one end of the spectrum—to short circuiting the system and starting fires on the other.

Audi says that there are no incidents related to the issue however, so owners of the roughly 540 units already delivered don’t have much to worry about—besides having to take their new cars back for a fix.

A total of 1,644 units are reportedly affected by the faulty seal, and Audi has said that it expects to be able to repair the issue in August—two months away.

For its part, the recall is voluntary—owners have been told they are free to continue driving their shiny new electric SUVs—at least until a warning light comes on, at which point they’re advised to park the vehicle in an open space and wait for Audi to come and get it.

Owners affected by the recall will be offered loaner vehicles and compensation to cover the cost of petrol—which no doubt the new e-Tron drivers were looking forward to not spending any more money on, considering the US$74,800 price tag on the SUV. (It's way more in Australia).

The e-Tron is all-wheel-drive, with two electric motors putting out 402 horsepower and 490-lb/ft of torque in ‘boost’ mode.

The chunky SUV can go from zero to 100km/h in just 5.5 seconds.

When unencumbered by recalls, the e-Tron can travel almost 330km on a single charge.

The e-Tron will go on sale in Australia before the end of this year.