NHTSA Complaint #11704064 — 2019 AUDI SQ5

The rear brake lights on my 2019 Audi SQ5 stopped functioning due to a failure of the Comfort System Central Control Module (J393). This defect is documented by Audi in Technical Service Bulletin 2055123/5 and earlier versions. The malfunction causes the “rear lighting warning” to appear in the instrument cluster, and the brake lights do not illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed. The issue is not related to bulbs or wear-and-tear; it is caused by a software defect in the vehicle’s body control module, which results in loss of communication with the rear-lighting system. The failure occurred at approximately 73,000 miles, but the defect existed earlier and is acknowledged by Audi in the TSB. Because brake lights are a federally required safety system, the vehicle cannot be safely operated until this defect is corrected. The dealership confirmed the issue and advised that the required repair is a software update to the control module. Audi has declined responsibility, leaving the vehicle unsafe to drive. This is a safety-critical defect involving a known software failure that disables brake lights, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.