While reversing out of a parking space, the steering wheel on my 2024 Audi A4 Allroad wagon suddenly locked completely and could not be turned in either direction. A warning message appeared stating “Steering malfunction. Safe to drive.” However, the vehicle was not safe to drive due to complete loss of steering functionality. Restarting the vehicle multiple times did not resolve the issue. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Audi service center. At the dealership, the steering was functional again and no active faults were present. However, the diagnostic scan showed a stored trouble code: U103100 – FlexRay data bus No synchronization, logged at the exact time the failure occurred. The dealership confirmed no visible wiring damage or hardware fault but could not replicate the issue. The battery was tested and not deemed low enough to replace. No software updates or service bulletins were applied. The service center declined to escalate the issue to Audi Corporate, stating that escalation is only permitted if the issue occurs a second time. This incident involved total loss of steering, which poses a serious safety risk. There were no prior warning signs before the failure. The issue has not recurred yet, but the root cause remains unresolved and could endanger the driver and others if it happens while the vehicle is in motion.
NHTSA ODI 11663758