Quick Answer (TL;DR)
Volkswagen Group of America (Audi) is recalling 9,048 2024-2025 Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron vehicles because the high-voltage battery may fail and cause a fire (NHTSA campaign 26V698000, reported October 21, 2026). There is no repair yet. Until there is, Audi tells owners to charge to a maximum of 80%. If your Q4 e-tron already shows battery or charging problems, don't wait for the recall letter: take it to an Audi dealer and keep the repair order.
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Recall at a Glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| NHTSA Campaign | 26V698000 |
| Audi Recall Code | 93SK |
| Date Reported | October 21, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) |
| Affected Vehicles | 9,048 (7,040 Q4 e-tron and 2,008 Q4 Sportback e-tron) |
| Model Years | 2024-2025 |
| Models Covered | Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron |
| Component | High-voltage (traction) battery |
| Safety Consequence | A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury. |
| Interim Advice | Charge to a maximum of 80% until the repair is completed |
| Remedy | Under development |
| Interim Owner Letters | Expected to be mailed December 18, 2026 |
| VIN Lookup | Searchable on NHTSA.gov since October 23, 2026 |
| Audi Customer Service | 1-800-253-2834 |
What Is the Defect?
Audi reports that the root cause of their recall remains unknown and is currently under investigation. What the report does say is that certain high-voltage batteries in these vehicles may not meet the required quality standards, and that a state of charge above 80% may trigger thermal propagation, a heat reaction that spreads inside the battery. If that happens, the vehicle can catch fire.
The recalled vehicles have battery cells from one suspect production population made by SK Battery Manufacturing Kft. in Hungary. Vehicles without cells from that population are not part of the recall. According to Audi, approximately 0.1% of the recalled vehicles actually have the defect. It cannot tell from the outside which ones do, so the whole group is covered.
The Safety Consequence
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury. NHTSA's record for this campaign does not carry a Do Not Drive or Park Outside warning. Audi's report also says a technical defect may not be immediately detectable, so the lack of a warning light does not rule the problem out.
The Manufacturer's Remedy
There isn't one yet. Audi is developing the final remedy and will send more letters once it is available. Meanwhile, Audi has reviewed the battery data it has for these vehicles. Where that data is missing or shows that more checking is needed, owners will be told to limit charging to 80% and bring the vehicle to an authorized Audi dealer for a battery diagnostic check. Questions should be directed to Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Mention Audi recall 93SK.
Recall Timeline — What Happens Next
Audi hasn't finished the fix, so this recall runs in stages. Here is what is on the calendar so far.
Audi files its safety recall report with NHTSA under campaign 26V698000.
Affected VINs become searchable on NHTSA.gov. Check yours now.
Letters explaining the safety risk are expected. They will not include a fix.
More letters follow once the remedy is ready. Keep charging to 80% until the repair is done.
Why Your Repair Orders Matter More Than the Recall Letter
A recall notice is not a repair attempt. Lemon laws count documented repair attempts, meaning repair orders written up for a defect. Audi's remedy is still under development, so if your Q4 e-tron shows battery or charging problems or a warning, take it to an Audi dealer now so each visit is documented on a repair order. Don't wait for the recall letter, and keep every repair order. Whether a later recall repair also counts toward a claim depends on your state's law.
A recall isn't enough by itself to make a car a lemon. Lemon laws look at whether a warranty defect substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts or days out of service. Those rules differ from state to state. If you want some background reading, check out how lemon law works and our Audi lemon law page. We have also covered how recalls and repair attempts fit together.
Free VIN Lookup — Is Your Q4 e-tron Affected?
Check your 17-character VIN against NHTSA campaign 26V698000
Enter your VIN below — we'll open the official NHTSA recall lookup in a new tab so you can verify whether your Q4 e-tron or Q4 Sportback e-tron is covered.
Prefer to talk to a lemon law attorney first? Get a free case review.
What to Do Right Now
- Charge to 80% or less. Set the charge limit to 80% or lower and leave it there until the recall repair is complete, as Audi advises.
- Check your VIN. Look it up at NHTSA.gov/recalls (searchable since October 23, 2026), or call Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 and ask about recall 93SK.
- Battery or charging trouble? Book a dealer visit now. Don’t wait for the recall letter. Describe the symptom to an Audi dealer and don’t leave without a written repair order.
- Keep every repair order. Each one should show the date, mileage, the complaint as you described it, and what the technician did.
- Ask a lemon law attorney. If the problem keeps coming back or your Q4 e-tron spends weeks at the dealer, get a free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Audi Q4 e-tron part of recall 26V698000?
Only certain 2024-2025 Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron vehicles are included: the ones built with battery cells from the suspect production population. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Is it safe to drive my Q4 e-tron before Audi has a fix?
NHTSA’s record has no Do Not Drive or Park Outside warning for this campaign. Audi suggests charging up to 80% for now until repairs are made. If Audi or your dealer instructs differently for your vehicle, follow those instructions instead.
When will Audi fix the battery?
Audi hasn't set a date yet. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim letters are expected to be mailed December 18, 2026, and more letters will go out once the remedy is available.
Does the recall make my Q4 e-tron a lemon?
Not by itself. A recall notice isn't a repair attempt. Lemon law claims rest on documented repair attempts or time out of service for a warranty defect, and each state sets its own rules. Repair orders from dealer visits for battery or charging problems are the record that matters.
Should I wait for the recall letter before going to the dealer?
Not if your vehicle has battery or charging problems now. Audi's fix isn't ready, and the December 18, 2026 letter is an interim notice, not a repair. Book a dealer visit, describe the problem, and get a repair order every time.
What does an Easy Lemon case review cost?
Nothing. The Easy Lemon case review is free, and there are no upfront fees. We look at your repair orders and tell you whether your state's lemon law may apply.
Battery or charging problems with your Q4 e-tron? Get a free case review.
No upfront fees. Send us your repair orders and we'll tell you whether your state's lemon law may apply.
Get My Free Case Review →Sources & references:
- NHTSA Campaign 26V698000 — Official recall record
- Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V698 (Volkswagen Group of America, October 21, 2026)
- Audi customer service: 1-800-253-2834 (Audi recall 93SK)
- NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236
