Every car brand has to greater or lesser degrees been struggling with supply issues due to the ongoing global semiconductor shortage.
This has meant waiting lists for many of the most-popular vehicles on sale. But in some cases carmakers have also had to temporarily remove features needing chips, to keep the factories rolling.
Features that have been removed are primarily infotainment- or sound-system-related, but in some cases certain safety technologies have been removed as well.
The following cars are confirmed to have had features temporarily removed due to these semiconductor shortages. As we learn of others, we will update the list – this is an ever-moving feast.
Let us know if there are any models missing that you’re aware of, and we’ll follow up.
Audi
On Audi Australia’s website it indicates that “due to global component shortages, certain standard and optional equipment is not currently available on certain Audi model vehicles”.
We’ve reached out to Audi Australia for a comment and will update this story when we hear back.
The following features are listed as temporarily unavailable to order on certain Audi models.
A1:
- Wireless phone charger (35 TFSI and 40 TFSI S Line)
A3:
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Exit warning
- Wireless phone charger
A4/S4:
A5/S5:
A6 (inc. allroad quattro):
- Electric steering column adjustment (optional extra across the range)
- Wireless phone charger
A7:
- Electric steering column adjustment (55 TFSI quattro)
- Wireless phone charger
Q2/SQ2:
Q3:
Q5/SQ5:
- Electric steering column adjustment (optional on Q5 Sport, standard on Q5 S Line and SQ5)
- Wireless phone charger
Q7:
- Electric steering column adjustment (50 TDI quattro, 50 TDI quattro S Line and 55 TFSI quattro S Line)
- Wireless phone charger
Q8:
- Electric steering column adjustment
- Wireless phone charger
TT/TTS:
e-tron:
- Electric steering column adjustment (optional extra across the range)
- Wireless phone charger
BMW
“The bottleneck in the supply of semiconductor components has impacted availability of individual vehicle equipment options for certain models,” said a BMW Australia spokesperson.
“We are working closely with our dealer partners to provide alternative solutions for our customers to minimise waiting times. This process is supported by the high degree of customisation of our vehicles.”
The following features are temporarily unavailable to order on certain BMW models.
1 Series:
- Wireless phone charger
- Enhancement Package (118i and 128ti)
- Metallic paint
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- 19-inch M alloy wheels (118i only)
- Adaptive cruise with stop & go (128ti only)
- Driver Assistance Package (118i)
- Adaptive cruise control with stop & go
- Adaptive headlights with auto high-beam
- Tyre pressure monitor
- M Sports Plus Package (118i)
- M Sports front seats
- M rear spoiler
- M seat belts
- M sports steering wheel
- M sports brakes
- Tinted headlights
- High-gloss black exterior elements
2 Series coupe:
3 Series:
- Head-up display
- Wireless phone charger
- Driver Assistant Professional Package (320i, 330i and 330e)
- Adaptive cruise control with stop & go
- Front and rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-keeping assist
- Side collision warning
- Junction assist
- Drivers Assistant Package (320i)
- Adaptive cruise control with stop & go
- Front and rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-keeping assist
- Side collision warning
- Junction assist
- Semi-autonomous parking assist
- Tyre pressure monitor
- Dash cam
4 Series coupe
- Head-up display
- Wireless phone charger
- Driver Assistant Professional Package (420i and 430i)
- Adaptive cruise control with stop & go
- Front and rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-keeping assist
- Side collision warning
- Junction assist
- Visibility Package (420i and 430i)
- Metallic paint
- Glass sunroof
- BMW Laserlight headlights
- Driver Assistant Package (420i)
- Adaptive cruise control with stop & go
- Front and rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-keeping assist
- Side collision warning
- Junction assist
- Semi-autonomous parking assist
- Tyre pressure monitor
- Dash cam
4 Series Gran Coupe
5 Series
- Rear-axle steering
- Bowers & Wilkins 16-speaker sound system
7 Series
- Rear-axle steering
- Bowers & Wilkins 16-speaker sound system
X2
- Harman Kardon 12-speaker sound system (sDrive18i only)
X3
- Head-up display
- Wireless phone charger
- Driving Assistant Professional Package
- Adaptive cruise control with stop & go
- Front and rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-keeping assist
- Side collision warning
- Junction assist
X4
- Head-up display
- Wireless phone charger
- Driving Assistant Professional Package
- Adaptive cruise control with stop & go
- Front and rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-keeping assist
- Side collision warning
- Junction assist
X5
- Harman Kardon 16-speaker sound system
- Bowers & Wilkins 20-speaker sound system
X6
- Harman Kardon 16-speaker sound system (xDrive40i only)
- Bowers & Wilkins 20-speaker sound system
X7
- Bowers & Wilkins 20-speaker sound system
iX
- Multi-functional front seats with memory and lumbar support
Ford
Ranger (outgoing model)
Ford has deleted automatic stop/start from the feature list for most outgoing Ranger models due to the semiconductor shortage.
“Due to semi-conductor supply constraints, and to ensure customers receive their vehicles without additional delay, certain Rangers arrive in Australia from January 2022 are not being produced with Auto Stop/Start,” said a Ford Australia spokesperson.
“This includes Ranger Double Cab XL, XLT, FX4, Wildtrak and Wildtrak X models fitted with our 2.0L BiTurbo engine with 10-speed automatic transmission.”
The outgoing Everest, which uses the same engine, is unaffected.
MORE: Ford Ranger loses stop/start due to chip shortage
Jaguar
Jaguar indicates “some vehicles, standard features and options may be temporarily unavailable or face extended delivery times” on its local website.
“We are communicating directly with any affected customers and our retailers where there is any change of specification,” said a Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) spokesperson.
JLR says you should consult your local Jaguar dealer to confirm what is and isn’t available.
XE
- Surround view camera
- 12-inch digital drivers display
- ClearSight digital rearview mirror
- Technology Pack
- ClearSight digital rear-view mirror
- 5.5-inch Touch Pro Duo touchscreen
- Wireless phone charger
- Head-up display
Kia
Carnival
The 2022 Kia Carnival is still not available with rain-sensing window wipers, a digital instrument cluster and the Blind Spot View Monitor camera on higher grades, despite these features being mentioned at launch as running changes.
At this stage it won’t be available until the brand can work through a year’s worth of backorders.
“We have every desire to implement COVID-19 affected features on Carnival, however are still suffering from severe supply restrictions, and as a result have accumulated a very large quantity of backorders. Some of these backorders are over 12 months old,” said Kia Australia’s product boss Roland Rivero.
“Kia Australia is working closely with the factory to clear these backorders as quickly as possible. Once our backorder count reaches a more palatable level, we will be looking to enhance the range with the features promised at launch.”
Kia Australia has promised it’s working to bring these features amidst production constraints, component shortages and supply chain issues. CarExpert reported in July 2022 that after initially being earmarked as an MY22 running change, customers would likely have to wait until the first half of 2022.
The only updates since the introduction of the current-generation Carnival so far is the rollout of Kia’s new logo.
CarExpert understands vehicle specifications cannot be changed after an order has been placed, which would explain why the brand hasn’t just rolled out the features as it delivers vehicles throughout the course of the year.
MORE: Kia Carnival: 12 months of backorders delaying missing equipment
Land Rover
On Land Rover’s website it says “some vehicles, standard features and options may be temporarily unavailable or face extended delivery times”.
“We are communicating directly with any affected customers and our retailers where there is any change of specification,” said a Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) spokesperson.
JLR says you should consult your local Jaguar dealer to confirm what is and isn’t available.
JLR Australia didn’t provide a list of Land Rover vehicles with features missing due to semiconductor shortages.
Mercedes-Benz
New C-Class
New builds of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be temporarily unavailable with adaptive suspension and rear-axle steering due to semiconductor shortages.
These features are bundled together to make up the $3400 Engineering Package.
A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson has confirmed the Engineering Package is only available on already built C-Class vehicles that can be purchased on the Mercedes-Benz website.
Potential owners can choose to hold off ordering a new C-Class in the hopes of being able to choose the package, but at this stage there’s no clear timeline of when it’ll return.
The Mercedes-Benz spokesperson indicated the option package will only be temporarily missing, and Mercedes-Benz will make it available again “as soon as possible”.
MORE: 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class temporarily loses rear-axle steering
Mercedes-Benz Vans
On Mercedes-Benz’s Australian website it indicates that Mercedes-Benz van products manufactured from November 1, 2021 onwards “may be missing some or all of the following driver assistance and safety systems/features”:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot assist
- Rear-cross traffic alert
- Exit warning
“Due to a shortage in radar sensors, there is a possibility that the factory will produce vehicles without mounting the impacted radar in order to maintain their availability,” said a Mercedes-Benz Commercial spokesperson.
“To date there has been minimal impact on our orders for Australia and we continue to work closely with our suppliers to do what we can to shorten the time vehicles are at risk of being produced with adjustments to their equipment levels.”
Mitsubishi
Outlander
Mitsubishi has dropped features on some grades of the Outlander SUV as running MY22.5 adjustments “to optimise supply”.
“Due to ongoing supply constraints and increasing material, manufacturing and logistical costs, Mitsubishi Motors Australia has adjusted certain Outlander models’ standard specification for the 22.5 model year,” the company said in its media release.
“This decision was taken to optimise production and minimise supply delays for Outlander customers.”
The Outlander ES has lost one-touch up/down windows for all windows besides the driver’s window, the Outlander LS has lost its power tailgate, and the Outlander Aspire has lost its digital instrument cluster for a 7.0-inch multi-function display with analogue gauges.
Mitsubishi Australia says the first MY22.5 vehicles are due in showrooms from April 2022.
MORE: Mitsubishi Outlander: MY22.5 changes see equipment dropped on lower grades
Peugeot
Expert
Peugeot Australia has removed side thorax airbags from its Expert mid-sized van for the MY22 model year due to semiconductor shortages.
This change excludes the Limited Edition Expert Sport variant.
It has also deleted adaptive cruise cruise control and replace it with a simpler passive cruise control system.
At the same time, it also increased the Expert’s pricing for MY22 by between $1950 and $2250 over the equivalent MY21 range.
“The global automotive industry faces an exceptional situation with the accumulation of the health crisis and a worldwide shortage of semiconductors,” said a Peugeot release.
“Our global teams are mobilised to drive our manufacturing activity in this unstable context, and we need to adapt accordingly.
“Despite our continuous effort to deliver our customers the best possible experience, and in order to help minimise the impact on vehicle availability, there has been an adjustment in specification of the MY22 Peugeot Expert LCV range.”
MORE: Peugeot van loses side airbags due to chip shortage
Polestar
Polestar 2
Polestar has removed its Pixel LED headlights and cornering lights from the option list of its Polestar 2 high-riding electric hatchback as a result of the semiconductor chip shortage.
These were included as part of the optional $5000 Pilot Pack.
The pack has now been renamed to Pilot Lite and has had its price reduced to $3400.
“We are reviewing all existing orders and identifying those affected. We will contact affected customers directly from week commencing 14 March 2022 to inform them of the feature change and compensation,” said a Polestar Australia spokesperson.
“We continue to work to mitigate the impact of the global semiconductor shortage on our production, and to prioritise semiconductors in the best way we can.”
The spokesperson said there are no other spec changes to announce for the Polestar 2’s inaugural model year, and that there’s no timeframe for when the upgraded lighting will return.
Models can’t be retrofitted with the Pixel LED lights.
Polestar confirm there are cars already in Australia or in transit that aren’t affected by this change.
All Polestar 2 models will now use full-LED headlights with automatic high-beam, however the Pilot Lite pack still bundles in LED fog lights albeit with no cornering function.
MORE: Polestar 2 temporarily losing feature due to chip shortage
Skoda
Scala
The 2022 Skoda Scala will temporarily not be available with active assist features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert due to semiconductor shortages.
These features are usually standard on the top-of-the-range 110TSI Signature, and available as part of an option package on the 110TSI Ambition and 110TSI Monte Carlo.
The Skoda premium sound system temporarily isn’t available as part of the Travel Pack for the 110TSI Monte Carlo due to the same semiconductor-related issue.
Once supplies of semiconductors and components improves, Skoda Australia has confirmed these features will return to the Scala.
For now, a Skoda Australia spokesperson has said they expect the restored specifications to return by the 2023 model year change, which is around June 2022.
MORE: Multiple Skoda models lose features, owners credited
Kamiq
The 2022 Skoda Kamiq currently isn’t available with active safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert due to semiconductor shortages.
These safety features are usually standard on the range-topping 110TSI Signature and available as part of an option package on the 110TSI Monte Carlo.
The 110TSI Signature currently isn’t available with adaptive LED headlights and dynamic front indicators due to the same supply issue.
Skoda Australia has said it’s now fitting a regular LED headlight unit instead, without the adaptive front-light system.
A Skoda premium sound system also isn’t available as part of the Travel Pack for the 110TSI Monte Carlo.
Once supplies of semiconductors improves, Skoda Australia has confirmed the removed features will return to the Kamiq.
For now, a Skoda Australia spokesperson has said they expect the restored specifications to return by the 2023 model year change, which is around June 2022.
MORE: Multiple Skoda models lose features, owners credited
Octavia
The 2022 Skoda Octavia will temporarily not be available with features such as semi-autonomous parking assist and a range of Canton premium sound systems due to semiconductor shortages.
Semi-autonomous parking assist comes as part of the Premium Pack for the Octavia 180TSI RS and Canton premium sound systems feature on the Tech Pack for the Octavia 110TSI Style and the Premium Pack for the Octavia 180TSI RS.
Once supplies of semiconductors and components improves, Skoda Australia has confirmed these features will return to the Octavia.
For now, a Skoda Australia spokesperson has said they expect the restored specifications to return by the 2023 model year change, which is around June 2022.
MORE: Multiple Skoda models lose features, owners credited
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Overseas model shown
Superb
The 2022 Skoda Superb 162TSI Style is currently not available with matrix LED headlights and the Superb 206TSI Sportline isn’t available with the 12-speaker Canton premium sound system due to semiconductor shortages.
Interestingly, the Superb 206TSI Sportline is still available with the matrix LED headlights though according to Skoda Australia’s website.
Once supplies of semiconductors improves, Skoda Australia has confirmed these features will return to the Superb.
For now, a Skoda Australia spokesperson has said they expect the restored specifications to return by the 2023 model year change, which is around June 2022.
MORE: Multiple Skoda models lose features, owners credited
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Overseas model shown
Kodiaq
The 2022 Skoda Kodiaq will temporarily not be available with active assist features such as a surround-view camera, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert due to semiconductor shortages.
The Kodiaq also won’t be available with the 12-speaker Canton premium sound system and electric child safety locks on the rear doors and windows.
These listed features have been standard on the Kodiaq RS and available as part of option packages on the Style and Sportline trims, and once supplies improve are expected to be again.
A Skoda Australia spokesperson confirmed these specification changes and said the Kodiaq will only be in de-specified form for “a few months”. Affected owners who have a Kodiaq on order are being credited at least $1100, as compensation.
The Skoda Australia spokesperson also said that the surround view camera will be returning to the Kodiaq sooner than expected. This means that fewer units have been affected.
Once supplies of semiconductors and components improves, Skoda Australia has confirmed these features will return to the Kodiaq.
MORE: Multiple Skoda models lose features, owners credited
Tesla
Model 3
CNBC reports that Tesla has removed one of the two electronic control units used in the steering racks of Chinese-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, which will prevent more sophisticated autonomous driving technology from being deployed over the air.
The news outlet spoke to two employees and says it’s seen internal correspondence advising of the change, which has already reportedly affected tens of thousands of vehicles shipped to markets including Australia.
All Model 3s sold in Australia are sourced from China, and the Model Y is set to follow suit.
The second control unit for the electric power-assisted steering is used mainly as a backup, and sources tell CNBC there are no safety issues.
The removal also reportedly won’t affect the operation of Autopilot or Full Self-Driving (FSD).
However, the control unit’s presence in Tesla models is to support the eventual rollout of Level 3 autonomous driving technology.
With the control unit gone, Tesla owners would reportedly have to have it retrofitted at a service centre to receive this technology update. This might also be required if there’s a more sophisticated update to FSD.
MORE: Tesla removes control unit due to chip shortage – report
Volkswagen
Golf R
Volkswagen has temporarily removed the Harmon Kardon premium sound system from the Golf R‘s standard feature list due to ongoing semiconductor shortages.
In doing so Volkswagen has cut the price of affected vehicles by $1000.
By making the feature an option, Volkswagen can thereby import “steady supply” of Golf Rs in the interim without the pumped-up audio system, instead using a less high-end audio setup.
“Initially both versions of the Golf R will be offered at the revised RRP without Harmon Kardon, and with this sound system at $66,990 for the hatchback and $69,990 for the wagon,” said Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles brand director Michal Szaniecki.
“This and the choice of a sunroof are the only two options on the Mark 8 Golf R.”
A number of Golf Rs allocated to Australia have already been made with the Harmon Kardon system, and will be once again following the present hiatus.
As this move is only temporary, making the sound system optional means the extant stock can go to those who’ll pay for the option.
MORE: 2022 Volkswagen Golf R prices cut – with a caveat
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Overseas model shown
Tiguan R
Volkswagen is pre-emptively cutting the price of its upcoming mid-sized performance SUV.
The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R will start at $68,990 before on-road costs, down $1000 from the previously announced price.
Volkswagen has made the Harman Kardon sound system an option, priced – appropriately enough – at $1000.
It follows an identical move by Volkswagen Australia with the redesigned Golf R, with chip shortages forcing the company to move the sound system to the option list or risk blowing out waiting times for buyers.
The company says no such shortage has been flagged for the Tiguan R but it’s aware of the possibility.
Like the Golf R hatch, the Tiguan R will launch locally in April but the company says the hotted-up mid-sized SUV “will not begin to be visible in showrooms until May or June along with Golf R wagons”.
The only other option, beyond the sound system, is a panoramic sunroof for $2000.
MORE: 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R prices cut ahead of launch
Volvo
On the Volvo website it indicates that “some optional features may not be available” on vehicles in its line-up.
A Volvo Car Australia spokesperson said that the brand doesn’t have any models currently missing features due to semiconductor shortages but may in the future.
We’ll update this in the future if/when features become temporarily unavailable.
If features do become unavailable though, the Volvo spokesperson mentioned that affected owners would be taken care of. They also said that Volvo isn’t compromising on any of its safety equipment.
Volvo says you should contact your local dealer to get the most up-to-date information.
MORE: Staggering impact of semiconductor shortage on car industry revealed
