NHTSA Complaint #11686640 — 2023 AUDI Q8

On a day with an ambient temperature of 115°F in Las Vegas, Nevada, a critical and dangerous malfunction occurred with my 2023 Audi Q8. With the vehicle's keys in my purse, I placed the purse on the front passenger seat. As I was securing my [XXX] in the rear passenger seat, I closed the rear door. Shockingly, the front passenger door simultaneously closed and locked, trapping my child and the keys inside the vehicle. The child was immediately at risk of heatstroke due to the extreme temperature. I have since contacted Audi regarding this serious safety defect. Their representative stated that “keys are not meant to be left in the car” and offered to consider a lease termination after a 60-day review. This is an unacceptable response. The vehicle's design should prevent it from locking with the keys inside, particularly with an occupant present. Although the dealership has since "repaired" the locks, when asked, they could not provide any guarantee that this dangerous situation would not reoccur. This lack of assurance means I am currently forced to operate a vehicle with a known and potentially recurring safety flaw. Audi's inaction and the dealership's inability to guarantee a permanent fix mean this vehicle continues to pose an ongoing risk to my family and others. This incident is a clear and severe safety defect that warrants immediate investigation by the NHTSA to prevent similar occurrences and protect other families from this hazardous situation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)