Autonomous Emergency Services Notification Feature: Audi has informed its owners of vehicles made from 2018 and earlier that a safety feature provided as standard equipment in the vehicle will no longer be available because of the inevitable shut down of 3G wireless systems across North America. However, features that are not free (which require a subscription) are supported by a 4G radio in the car and will not be impacted. Owners were NEVER notified that two different wireless systems were used in the car, a 20 year old technology for safety related features, and a 4GLTE module for expensive, subscription based telematics which have nothing to do with safety. I purchased and selected my vehicle based on these exact safety systems, especially as I'm a disabled driver. I'm not even out of warranty yet and TWO features have now been or will about to be sunset, without a fix. I was also never notified that this was going to occur, I found out by accident and most dealers aren't even yet aware. Audi has stated they are working with an outside company to bandaid the issue, however, this bandaid was not integrated with the car and basically won't solve the problem that it isn't the car I purchased. In the posted letters other owners received, there is ZERO indication of when this might be available, no evidence or indication it will be approved by the DOT or NHTSA because it's a bandaid. I have already contacted Audi for resolution, without result. I have requested updates, without result. The process is supposed to take 20 business days. It has now been over 40 business days. Regardless of the price of the vehicle, there was NEVER any indication by the dealer or in the manual that would lead customers to believe two different technologies were in use in the car.... 4G is plastered everywhere, however, 3G is stated nowhere. In hindsight, this is not only a dangerous situation for many drivers, but also a fraudulent one. Need help.
- NHTSA ID
- 11442724
- Incident
- Dec 5, 2021