The small SUVs both the VW T-Roc and Audi Q2 with a manual transmission and 1.0 TSI engine from the production period February 2016 to June 2018 could surprisingly roll away.
The cause is wrongly evaluated signal from the neutral gear sensor in the transmission. In spite of the engaged idling, it indicates an engaged gear to the engine control unit under certain circumstances. The release of the clutch then leads to the automatic release of the electric parking brake (EPB), whereby the vehicle is no longer secured against rolling away, e.g. if the driver disembarks while the engine is running.
The problem occurs especially at temperatures below +5 degrees Celsius but can be avoided by not using the ‘Auto Hold’ function until the software is updated. At VW, the recall under code “24DW” includes 41,270 units worldwide, while at Audi the code is “45H4” and affects 12,774 vehicles around the globe.
A half-hour software update of the brake control unit is done free of charge as confirmed by spokespersons of both brands on request by www.kfz-rueckrufe.de.
This recall is not yet registered in the EU Rapid Alert System Rapex. While with the VW T-Roc it will be the first case, the Audi Q2 already appears in the Rapex database. Less than a year ago, Audi had re-called the Q2 models made in August 2017 due to the possible failure of the rear axle stub – we wrote here.