2024 Audi Q3 Powertrain & Transmission Problems

Lease Begin Date: May 1, 2024 Mileage at time of first incident: 16800 Current Mileage: 17,500 Incident Description: This vehicle has exhibited unintended rearward movement on two separate occasions following a "Drive System Malfunction" warning, each occurring immediately after shifting into Drive on an incline. The first incident occurred on February 20, 2025. Immediately after shifting into Drive, the vehicle displayed a "Drive System Malfunction" message and rolled backward before I was able to stop it. My [XXX] child was a passenger. The system reset after restarting the vehicle. The second incident occurred under nearly identical conditions on March 19, 2025, again resulting in unintended rearward movement following the same warning message. My child was again in the vehicle. Time-stamped photographs documenting both events are available. The vehicle was brought to an authorized Audi dealership for inspection. The dealership was unable to replicate the concern. Low-voltage fault codes were identified, including a remote key and secure control module message, but no fault codes directly tied to the drive system were found. No corrective action was taken. I subsequently contacted Audi of America's customer support line and was assigned a Regional Case Manager. Audi's position has been that escalation to Audi Technical Assistance or engineering cannot proceed without dealership replication of the fault. No proactive diagnostic steps have been offered or taken. The concern remains unresolved. This complaint is being filed to document two occurrences of unintended vehicle movement associated with a drivetrain-related warning, and to request that Audi of America be required to investigate and address the root cause. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

We are submitting this formal complaint regarding a recurring and unresolved issue with the HVAC (air conditioning) system in our 2024 Audi Q3 Quattro S Line. Since February 2024, we have consistently experienced failures in the climate control system, particularly after exposure to rainy conditions. Specifically: 1. The front air vents begin blowing warm air at random intervals, even when set to cool. 2. The rear vents completely shut off airflow during these instances. 3. This occurs most frequently during or after rain but now occurs in dry weather as well. We believe this issue compromises the safety and comfort of the vehicle's cabin environment. The manufacturer, Audi (Volkswagen Group of America), asserts this behavior is normal per FMVSS 103 regulations and the "cabin capacity requirements" of the Q3. Specifically stated in Audi Corp. email from March 6, 2025: “From the NHTSA homepage using the search bar>search FMVSS>Select NHTSA Statutes, Regulations, Authorities and FMVSS>Select FVMSS under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards>Scroll down or utilize the table of contents to locate 571.103. Dimensions for the interior cargo space in your 2024 Audi Q3. - Headroom (Front/Rear): 39.6/37.6 in., Legroom (Front/Rear) 40/36.1 in., Cargo volume behind first row: 48 cu.-ft., Cargo volume behind second row: 23.7 cu.-ft” However, a review of FMVSS 103 (Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems) reveals no explicit requirement that mandates the rear vents be disabled during humidity control. Additionally, no documentation has been provided by Audi to substantiate this claim. This issue potentially violates FMVSS 103's intent, which is to ensure adequate visibility and cabin comfort. With passengers, especially children, experiencing unacceptable conditions in the rear seat, we urge the NHTSA to investigate whether: The behavior described is part of a broader defect pattern, 2. Audi's HVAC system logic conflicts with FMVSS standards or consumer safety expectations.