Audi Recalls Nearly 45,000 Vehicles Over Faulty Instrument Display; Separate Recall Targets Rear Camera Defect in 2025 Models

Volkswagen Group of America has announced two separate safety recalls affecting a combined total of more than 44,000 Audi vehicles due to technical defects that pose potential safety risks. The larger recall involves a defect in the digital instrument cluster, while a smaller one targets an issue with the rearview camera system in the newly released 2025 Audi Q6 and SQ6 models.

The first recall, identified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as 25V-201, covers approximately 44,387 Audi vehicles from the 2021 model year. Affected models include the A6, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, and several performance variants such as the RS6 Avant and RS7. A fault in the “Virtual Cockpit Plus Gen. 2” digital display, supplied by Robert Bosch GmbH, can cause the instrument cluster to go blank during operation. The issue stems from age-related damage to a flat cable, which increases resistance and triggers a shutdown of the display. As a result, critical driving data such as speed, engine RPM, and warning indicators may not be visible, increasing the risk of an accident.

Audi began investigating the issue in April 2024 after receiving complaints from foreign markets. By March 2025, the company had confirmed 2,285 complaints in the U.S. alone, although no injuries or accidents had been reported. Audi will issue a software update to all affected vehicles to maintain display functionality even when the cable is compromised. The update will also prompt drivers to seek service through warning lights rather than causing a complete screen blackout. Dealer notifications began in early April, with owners set to be notified by May 30, 2025.

The second recall, listed as 25V-225, affects 313 units of the 2025 Audi Q6 and SQ6. This issue involves the rearview camera image appearing blurry or unclear on the vehicle’s central display. The defect, which stems from insufficient plasma cleaning during the camera’s production, allows moisture to enter the camera housing, leading to image distortion. The affected component, a surround view camera manufactured by Continental Automotive Systems, fails to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111 regarding rear visibility.

Investigations into the camera issue began in late 2024 following customer complaints abroad. Audi determined the production flaw and moved to improve the cleaning process in November 2024. Vehicles with defective cameras will receive replacements free of charge, and other cameras with the same part number in the vehicle may also be replaced if necessary. Notifications to owners will be issued by June 6, 2025.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Volkswagen Group of America safety recall reports.

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