Recall 17V400 affects 24,754 2016-2017 Audi Q3 vehicles because brake lights fail during parking-brake emergency braking. Software update is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 24,754 2016-2017 Q3 SUVs because the brake lights do not activate when the parking brake is used during emergency braking. A driver approaching from behind gets no warning that the vehicle is stopping, increasing crash risk; Audi dealers will update the vehicle software free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The gateway control unit on the 2016-2017 Audi Q3 is the vehicle computer that passes signals between systems. During normal braking, the service brake tells the brake lights to turn on so drivers behind you see that the Q3 is slowing. The electromechanical parking brake also has an emergency-braking function controlled by a switch.
On affected Q3 vehicles, a software error in the gateway control unit breaks that signal path during emergency braking with the parking brake switch. If the parking brake is used that way, the vehicle can slow, but the brake lights do not activate. The braking system itself still works, but traffic behind the vehicle does not get the normal stop-lamp warning.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner will not see a dash message or feel a braking problem tied to this defect before the brake-light issue appears during that emergency-braking use.
Who's affected?
Covers the same Q3 build window across the 2016 and 2017 model years, with the crash imminent braking system and brake lights named in the recall.
| 2016 Audi Q3 | Crash imminent braking |
|---|---|
| 2016 Audi Q3 | Brake lights |
| 2017 Audi Q3 | Crash imminent braking |
| 2017 Audi Q3 | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 24,754 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Drivers approaching from behind can miss the warning that this Audi Q3 is stopping, which increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the issue affects other drivers, so schedule the software update soon and use extra care when slowing or stopping. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Audi Q3 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free software update that fixes the brake-light failure during emergency braking when the parking brake is used.
- Bring the recall notice if Audi mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V400 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the software update is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid using the parking brake for emergency braking.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician updates the vehicle software. The update corrects the brake-light behavior tied to emergency braking with the parking brake, so the brake lights activate as required. The software update and labor are free under recall 17V400. Audi is not offering reimbursement for this campaign, so owners who already paid for a related software repair are not directed to a separate recall reimbursement program.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| June 26, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 31, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V400?
Recall 17V400 covers 24,754 2016-2017 Audi Q3 vehicles with a brake-light software issue. If the parking brake is used during emergency braking, the brake lights do not activate, increasing crash risk for drivers behind the vehicle. Audi dealers update the vehicle software for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Audi Q3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Q3 is included in recall 17V400. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free vehicle software update. Reference recall number 17V400 and Audi recall number 45G6 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this defect at no cost, and Audi dealers update the affected vehicle software free of charge. Audi customer service is available at 1-800-253-2834 for recall 45G6 questions.
What is the safety risk in recall 17V400?
The safety risk is that drivers behind the vehicle get no brake-light warning during emergency braking when the parking brake is used. That lack of warning increases crash risk. The fix is a dealer software update that restores the required brake-light behavior.
What if I bought my Audi Q3 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2016-2017 Q3 is included, then call a franchised Audi dealer and reference recall 17V400.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V400000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V400 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V400000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →