Screens Are Bad: Audi Recalls 44,000 Cars Over Defective Gauge Clusters

Technology works great, until it doesn't. A total of 44,387 Audi owners are learning that the hard way right now, as they could look down and find their digital driver display is no longer working. The recall affects several models, and it could spontaneously blink out while parked or on the move. Obviously, losing vital information such as speed is a safety issue, hence the recall.

At this time, the recall applies only to vehicles from the 2021 model year. Per documents at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the following vehicles are affected:

• A6 / S6 Sedan
• A6 Allroad
• A7
• A8
• S7 / RS7
• S8
• Q7 / SQ7
• Q8 / SQ8 / RSQ8
• RS6 Avant

The problem is technically a software issue, but it's connected to a potential hardware problem. In all of these vehicles, the computer monitors the power flow through a particular cable going to and from the digital display. If there's even minor a fluctuation in that power reading, the display is disabled to protect against power surges. Apparently, said cable can become slightly damaged over time—not enough to cause any initial problems but it can increase the contact resistance enough to trigger an internal fault. When that happens, you're left with a blank driver display.

Audi first learned of the problem in April 2024. After several months of investigation, the issue with the cable was found. Interestingly, Audi's supplier switched to an "optimized" cable for the 2022 model year, hence why the recall only focuses on 2021 models.

And it's definitely a problem. Audi notes 2,285 customer complaints related to driver displays blanking out. Fortunately, the automaker isn't aware of any fires, crashes, or injuries resulting from the failure.

A fix is already in place, but it's not a new cable. Instead, Audi will upload a software update that allows the system to recognize the power fluctuation in the bad cable. Essentially, it allows the system to be less sensitive to increased resistance, and won't shut the display down in such instances. However, it will trigger a warning notice advising the driver to have the system checked out.

Dealer notification for the recall is already underway. Specific owner notification will begin on or before May 30.

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