NHTSA Complaint #11621565 — 2020 AUDI Q3

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Design and/or manufacturing flaw in Audi m/n 8R0071128C Fork Mount Bike Rack presents a risk of bicycle becoming detached from the rack/vehicle at highway speeds. I have retained all parts and they could be made available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Risk is bicycle flying off the roof of a car at highway speeds causing significant damage to the carrying vehicle and/or triggering a serious accident involving nearby vehicles. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Not yet, but I have been engaged in a very slow moving dialog with a number of Audi representatives, most recently with Lori W, Region Case Manager, Audi CXC (Audi of America Customer Experience Center). Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Not Applicable Travelling at highway speed was a bang on car roof. Pulled over and found that the bicycle mounted on the Audi m/n 8R0071128C Fork Mount Bike Rack was no longer secured. After removing the bicycle, I saw that 1of2 threaded parts that clamp the bicycle fork to the rack was gone, bang heard likely was that part hitting roof. Remaining 2of2 threaded part was loose, could be turned by hand and was in danger of also falling off. It appears that the design of Audi m/n 8R0071128C enables these critical parts to unthread and detach during use. Possible fixes may be as simple as use of a permanent type thread locking compound during manufacturing or as complex as a redesign which does not present the possibility of failing in such an unsafe manner. See photos.