NHTSA Complaint #11539573 — 2017 AUDI Q7

On the evening of 8/12/2023, my vehicle (2017 Audi Q7) began producing a vibrating noise while driving and a clunking noise while turning. The next day (08/13/2023), after halting at a traffic light and accelerating when the light turned green, a loud pop was heard from the rear of the vehicle. And the vehicle was unable to move forward or backward while the engine was running. The vehicle has been towed to the Audi dealer in Chantilly, Virginia. Upon multi point inspection, the service team found that the drive shaft got separated from the rear differential flange. All bolts connecting drive shaft found sheared off in rear differential flange. Initially the service team tried to extract broken bolts and replace bolts and gasket to reconnect drive-shaft. But after couple of days, they were unable to extract broken bolts. So the current recommendation is to replace rear differential pinion yoke, re-install driveshaft and rear exhaust section and re-evaluate operating condition. All six driveshaft bolts for connection to rear differential found broken off in pinion yoke. Unable to drill-out remaining material from broken bolts out of rear differential pinion yoke. The service person thinks parking brake may have got engaged when the acceleration pedal was pressed causing the bolts to break. But, in my opinion, that is not the reason. I am certain that the parking brake was not ON at the traffic light. I would like to find the root cause why the drive shaft was separated from the rear flange. I am a bit nervous it may happen again and also want to help other Q7 owners if this a recall issue. In the following link the Audi service person posted a video that shows the separation of the drive shaft from the rear flange. I do not know how long the video will be accessible. Please watch the video as soon as possible. [XXX] I have also recorded the video on my phone (screen recording). I will send some pictures as well. thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.