Audi (Volkswagen Group of America) is recalling more than 44,000 model year 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Because of a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
“A vehicle’s virtual cockpit instrument cluster may shut down because of detection of an internal fault. When this occurs the engine speed (RPM), vehicle speed and gear/mode indicators will not be displayed. In addition to this, other information, such as time, date and mileage are also not displayed,” Audi said in the mandatory filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“The new software is not so sensitive to slight changes of contact resistance of the flat cable and no longer switches to a ‘black screen’ in the event of a malfunction. So, information such as RPM, speed, and others will continue to be displayed, ensuring that all necessary information for operating the vehicle is still shown, allowing the vehicle to be safely driven on the road. Additionally, the customer is alerted by warning lights to visit a workshop,” Audi said. [Robert Bosch, the component manufacturer, changed a cable sub-supplier because of this defect – AutoCrat.]
Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge as required by long-standing U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 30 May 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi’s number for this recall is 90VC. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov about NHTSA Recall Number 25V201 or 25V-201.
Chronology
- April 2024: Audi received an agency inquiry from a foreign market regarding customers experiencing a black screen due to this failure.
- April – September 2024: Investigation regarding field situation, root cause, failure pattern and customer experience was initiated.
- September – October 2024: A detailed root-cause analysis and evaluation of claims was conducted in coordination with the supplier. Age-related damage to the flex-foil cable in the virtual cockpit was identified as a possible cause.
- November 2024: The supplier presented the first results of long-term tests. It was determined that model year 2022 was not affected due to an optimized flat cable introduced by a change of sub-supplier.
- December 2024 – February 2025: Long-term test results from the supplier confirmed an increase in resistance values over time due to age-related damage to the flex-foil cable. U.S. market reported complaints about display failures in models A6, A7, A8, Q7, and Q8. Further investigation was started regarding potential safety impact and regulatory compliance requirements. Age-related damage to the flex-foil cable was also identified as the main cause of complaints in the USA.
- March 2025: The Audi Product Safety Committee decided to proceed with a recall on 24 March. As of 24 March 2025 Audi is aware of 2285 customer complaints, but not aware of any injuries, crashes or fires due to this issue.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Blank Screen – Audi Instrument Panel Software Recalls
Audi (Volkswagen Group of America) is recalling more than 44,000 model year 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Because of a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
“A vehicle’s virtual cockpit instrument cluster may shut down because of detection of an internal fault. When this occurs the engine speed (RPM), vehicle speed and gear/mode indicators will not be displayed. In addition to this, other information, such as time, date and mileage are also not displayed,” Audi said in the mandatory filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“The new software is not so sensitive to slight changes of contact resistance of the flat cable and no longer switches to a ‘black screen’ in the event of a malfunction. So, information such as RPM, speed, and others will continue to be displayed, ensuring that all necessary information for operating the vehicle is still shown, allowing the vehicle to be safely driven on the road. Additionally, the customer is alerted by warning lights to visit a workshop,” Audi said. [Robert Bosch, the component manufacturer, changed a cable sub-supplier because of this defect – AutoCrat.]
Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge as required by long-standing U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 30 May 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi’s number for this recall is 90VC. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov about NHTSA Recall Number 25V201 or 25V-201.
Chronology
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.