NHTSA Complaint #11558563 — 2017 AUDI Q7

Power steering assistance unit stoped working suddenly while driving. Then car was very difficult to steer. Fault could not be reseted, unit was not accessible with service computer in Audi shop. The steering unit was replaced. Just by luck that did not happen while driving at high speed. This could have been resulting in crash with casualties. While browsing the internet for advice it shows multiple incidents with the Audi electric powered steering unit. In the attached pic’s it shows a wet rubber seal and a corroded drive shaft of the replaced part (note the part numbers). Water and oil can find its way into the resolver unit and render it useless, cause lost of feedback signal hence kill the unit. Additional observation: Month before this incident happen, while driving at low speed in warmer/hot environment, a stepper motor feeling was noticeable on the steering wheel. Also a sound can be heared similar to rubber scratches over a dry surface. The disturbance went away when the car cooled down for some hours. It would be advisable to investigate the issue further as the consequences of loss if steering power could be very serious. Wishing everyone a safe travel.