Audi Recalls | Page 4 | MotorSafety.org

Volkswagen Recalls More Than 1,000 Vehicles Due to Potential Fuel Leak

December 24, 2018 Sean Reyes Audi Recalls, Volkswagen Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – December 24, 2018 – Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles due to a fault in the fuel line connection. The potential number of units affected is 1,104.

The defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, recalled vehicles were manufactured between March 9, 2018 and April 13, 2018 and have received fuel lines built in a specific time period where dimensional deviations in production may have occurred.

These vehicles are also equipped with a guiding sleeve for the assembly of the fuel line to the quick connector. Due to the dimensional deviations at the fuel line, the guiding sleeve may not be leak-proof at the connection point.

The underhood fuel supply hose quick connector may also not be securely attached to the fuel supply line, creating a risk that the fuel line may open at the quick connector, which may cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment.

Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. The customer may recognize a fuel odor in the vehicle prior to fuel igniting.

Timeline of events

On September 20, 2018, the U.S. market was made aware of a possible issue and began working to obtain additional information. On October 5, 2018, the U.S. market informed AUDI AG about a few single field cases on 2018 MY Audi A3 vehicles (vehicles with production dates in early April 2018).

The regular fault elimination process was started. On November 1, 2018, Audi received information from Volkswagen AG about a similar issue occurring on certain Volkswagen brand vehicles. The Audi AG Product Safety Committee was subsequently informed.

Between November 5 and 27, 2018, Audi AG conducted an investigation of field incidents, and an analysis regarding root cause, scope, influences and impacts.

The results were such that on November 28, 2018, the Audi AG Product Safety Committee made the determination of a safety defect and decided to conduct a voluntary recall.

The solution

Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will inspect the affected fuel line connection. The guiding sleeve will be removed, and a tension test will be performed to assure secure locking. The dealers will secure the fuel line connection, as necessary, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2018. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-863.

Check your car’s recall status using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Volkswagen Recalls a Dozen Audi Vehicles for Improperly Fastened Airbags

December 10, 2018 Sean Reyes Audi Recalls, Volkswagen Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – December 10, 2018 – Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and 2017-2018 Audi A4 all-road vehicles due to potential, improperly tightened airbag module mounting screws. The potential number of units affected is 12.

The defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, one of the four passenger airbag module mounting screws may not have been torqued to the correct specification during production.

In a crash with passenger airbag deployment, an improperly torqued screw may cause the airbag housing in the instrument cluster to deform.

This can change how the airbag unfolds during deployment and result in the airbag not providing protection as intended, leading to an increased risk of injury to the front passenger seat occupant.

Timeline of events

On September 25, 2018, the Audi Product Safety Committee was informed that road vehicle testing showed abnormalities in passenger airbag mounting screw connection.

Between October and November 2018, the issue was evaluated. This process included detailed testing and investigation regarding root cause, impact, scope and affected vehicles.

The recall condition was determined to be the result of human error during passenger airbag assembly. All affected vehicles can be traced to airbag assembly by one factory employee.

The recall population was determined by reviewing screw data logs and samples tests. On all other (unaffected) vehicles, the screw connection was tightened properly.

On November 19, 2018, the Audi Product Safety Committee made a determination of a safety defect and decided to conduct a safety recall. The relevant tool for airbag mounting has been modified so that this type of error cannot occur in the future.

The solution

Volkswagen will notify owners and dealers in mid-January, and the affected passenger airbag screw connection will be inspected and, if necessary, correctly tightened to the required torque specification.

Also, the screw will be replaced if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 26, 2019. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-836.

Check your car’s recall status using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Volkswagen Recalls Vehicles with Defective Fuel Pumps

July 31, 2018 Sean Reyes Audi Recalls

Auburn Hills, Mich. – July 31, 2018 – Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 6,600 vehicles potentially equipped with defective fuel pumps, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The campaign affects multiple models across the Audi brand, including:

2013 – 2015 Audi S8 sedans produced between June 27, 2012, and October 21, 2014.
2013 – 2015 Audi A8 sedans produced between June 11, 2012, and August 1, 2014.

The German automaker suspects that all the vehicles named in the recall contain the defective parts.

The defect

Affected vehicles contain high-pressure fuel pumps with porous fuel lines prone to leakage. These fixtures greatly increase the likelihood of engine fire and therefore pose a serious hazard to occupants.

However, Volkswagen has yet to receive reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of events

Audi AG began receiving field reports outlining instances of fuel leakage throughout the fourth quarter of 2016. This trend continued into 2017, leading the brand to launch an official investigation.

In May 2017, members of the Audi AG Product Safety Committee reviewed the issue and directed engineering teams to collect parts from the field for further analysis. This unfolded between June and September.

The tests that engineers conducted during this timeframe revealed that the high-pressure fuel pumps in affected vehicles were equipped with fuel lines that grew porous over time, leading to leakage. The Audi AG PSC evaluated these findings and called for an in-depth root cause investigation.

Between November 2017 and May 2018, Audi engineers analyzed additional field reports, all of which originated from the U.S. and Canadian markets, and conducted technical reviews of industry-standard fuel line assemblies.

However, these tests failed to reveal the root cause of the defect. On June 18, 2018, members of the Audi AG PSC convened again to make a final determination on the issue. The group ultimately chose to greenlight a voluntary safety recall.

The solution

Audi will direct dealers to replace the fuel lines in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The automaker intends to notify both dealers and owners on August 21, 2018.

Check your car’s recall status using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Volkswagen Recalls Vehicles with Defective Brake Components

July 5, 2018 Sean Reyes Audi Recalls, Volkswagen Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI – March 20, 2022 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has remedied issues with 10,086 vehicles including the 2018 Audi Q5 and 2018 Volkswagen Atlas dealing with brake system failures. So far, two of these Volkswagen vehicles have been declared unreachable and 0 has been removed from the recall. Three groups of these 2018 Audi Q5 models were remedied in 2018, and four groups were remedied in 2019 due to this issue with insufficient coating on brake caliper pistons.

Auburn Hills, Mich. – July 5, 2018 – Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 10,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective brake components, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The campaign affects models across multiple brands, including:

2018 Audi Q5 sport utility vehicles produced between March 20, 2018, and May 12, 2018.
2018 Audi SQ5 performance sport utility vehicles produced between March 20, 2018, and May 11, 2018.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas sport utility vehicles produced between April 9, 2018, and June 4, 2018.
2018 Volkswagen Beetle sedans and convertibles produced between March 21, 2018, and May 16, 2018.
2018 Volkswagen GTI hatchbacks produced between March 21, 2018, and May 23, 2018.
2018 Volkswagen Golf hatchbacks produced between March 21, 2018, and May 25, 2018.
2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen sedans produced between March 21, 2018, and May 23, 2018.
2018 Volkswagen Passat sedans March 21, 2018, and May 16, 2018.

The German automaker unsure how many of the recalled vehicles actually contain the defective parts.

The defect

Affected vehicles contain brake caliber pistons with flawed chrome coating. This defect may allow gas bubbles to form within the braking system, ultimately inhibiting brake performance.

Consequently, the problematic coating poses a serious safety hazard for occupants. However, Volkswagen has yet to receive reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of events

On May 17, 2018, Volkswagen engineers at an assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee came across multiple finished vehicles with low or soft brake pedals.

This finding forced the vehicle manufacturer to stop shipment immediately and initiate an official investigation. 24 hours later, Volkswagen initiated a stop-shipment order for in-transit vehicles.

Then, on May 21, 2018, Kelsey-Hayes Company, the vendor that supplied the problematic brake calibers, informed Volkswagen that some of its brake calibers were not properly coated.

Following this revelation, the Volkswagen Product Safety Committee reviewed the issue and decided to halt the sale of all vehicles potentially equipped with the defective parts.

Over this time, Audi engineering teams also discovered newly manufactured vehicles with low or soft braking systems. Audi launched a stop-sale initiative June 1, 2018.

Members of the Volkswagen PSC reconvened June 29, 2018, and chose to initiate a voluntary safety recall campaign.

The solution

The German automaker will direct dealers to inspect the braking systems installed in affected vehicles and, if necessary, bleed them free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document.

Volkswagen intends to notify dealers of the forthcoming action July 30, 2018, and reach out to customers via first-class mail July 31, 2018. Check your car’s recall status using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Volkswagen recalls vehicles with defective occupant detection systems

July 2, 2018 Sean Reyes Audi Recalls, Volkswagen Recalls

Auburn Hills, Mich. – July 2, 2018 – Volkswagen Group of America has recalled almost 140,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective passenger occupant detection systems, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The recall affects multiple models across the Audi brand, including:

2012-2018 Audi A6 sedans produced between April 4, 2011, and April 30, 2018.
2012-2018 Audi A7 sedans produced between Jan. 27, 2011, and April 6, 2018.
2014-2018 Audi RS7 sedans produced between July 25, 2013, and April 4, 2018.
2013-2018 Audi S6 sedans produced between June 25, 2012, and April 26, 2018.
2013-2018 Audi S7 sedans produced between June 27, 2012, and March 23, 2018.

The German automaker suspects all of the vehicles referenced in the recall contain the defective components.

The Defect

Affected vehicles contain PODS with control modules that are prone to overstress and failure. In the event that this occurs, the PODS system may not deploy passenger air bags during collisions. As a result, this defect poses a serious hazard to passengers. However, Volkswagen has yet to receive reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

Volkswagen on Sept. 14, 2016, initiated an internal investigation after an active field monitoring program centered on the PODS modules indicated increased failure rates. Between October 2016 and April 2017, the automaker investigated the issue. Then, in December 2017, the car manufacturer requested engineering staff to develop potential solutions and called for a life-time field monitoring initiative.

The Audi Product Safety Committee reviewed the matter in January 2018. The group then re-evaluated the issue May 28, 2018, and decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

Volkswagen will direct dealers to install PODS repair kits in affected models free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The automaker intends to notify both dealers and owners July 31, 2018. Owners can use MotorSafety’s free vehicle look up tool to find out if their vehicle is effected.

Volkswagen recalls vehicles with defective engine coolant pumps

May 4, 2018 Sean Reyes Audi Recalls

Auburn Hills, Mich. – May 4, 2018 – Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 342,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective engine coolant pump s, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Administration. The campaign affects multiple models across the Audi brand, including:

2013-2016 Audi A4 sedans produced between Feb. 20, 2012, and Dec. 8, 2015.
2013-2016 Audi A4 Allroad sedans produced between March 12, 2012, and April 1, 2016.
2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolets produced between March 9, 2012, and Dec. 16, 2016.
2012-2015 Audi A6 sedans produced between April 4, 2011, and Dec. 22, 2014.
2013-2017 Audi Q5 sport utility vehicles produced between July 4, 2012, and Dec. 20, 2016.

Volkswagen suspects all of the vehicles involved in the recall contain the defective parts.

The Defect

The models referenced in this action are likely to include engine coolant pumps prone to overheating and short circuiting due to blocked ventilation components or internal moisture development. Both conditions increase the likelihood of an engine fire. Consequently, the defective pumps pose a serious risk to occupants. However, Volkswagen has yet to receive reports linking the problematic parts to any accidents or injuries.

Owners operating vehicles equipped with the defective features may see an engine warning light prior to overheating or short circuiting, depending on the engine control software present.

Timeline of Events

On Dec. 23, 2016, the Audi Product Safety Committee issued a voluntary safety recall, filed under the NHTSA identification code 17V-002, to address defective engine coolant pumps in more than 342,000 vehicles. Dealers across the U.S. market executed the required remedy in the months following the recall, updating the ECU software installed in affected models with new programming designed to switch off the engine coolant pump power supply in the event of overheating or short circuiting. Between March 2017 and August 2017, Audi received multiple complaints from customers outlining instances of overheating and short circuiting, despite the existence of the updated ECU software. The automaker requested parts review following these reports.

More customers submitted identical complaints throughout September 2017 and October 2017. These instances prompted Audi to launch more exhaustive field tests and laboratory analyses to identify error patterns, significant mechanical variables and ultimately pinpoint the root cause of the issue. These inquiries revealed that moisture, in addition to ventilation blockage, affected engine coolant pump performance.

Members of the Audi Product Safety Committee convened April 4, 2018, to review the results of the field and laboratory tests. These stakeholders decided that the engine coolant pumps in the affected vehicles should be replaced along with the ECU software and chose to call for a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

As stated above, Audi intends to replace the engine coolant pumps and ECU software in recalled vehicles free of charge. However, replacement parts are not currently available, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The automaker plans to notify both dealers and owners when these components are ready for installation.

That said, Audi does intend to reach out to owners initially via first-class mail June 11, 2018, to prepare them for the forthcoming action.

Vehicle owners can use MotorSafety.org’s free vehicle look up tool to find information on their vehicle

Volkswagen recalls vehicles with incorrect tire labels

February 20, 2018 Ken Boyd Audi Recalls, Volkswagen Recalls

Auburn Hills, Mich. – Feb. 20, 2018 – The Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 3,500 vehicles potentially equipped with defective tire labels, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects:

2014-2015 Audi S7 sedans produced between July 25, 2013, and Jan. 17, 2015, along with

2016-2018 Audi RS7 sport sedans produced between Feb. 16, 2015, and Oct. 20, 2017.

Volkswagen estimates all of the vehicles named in the recall possess the defective labels.

The Defect

Affected models feature tire placards that list an incorrect maximum load weight of 1146 pounds instead of the correct figure, 992 pounds. These fixtures make the recalled vehicles noncompliant under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110, which states vehicles must have placards “with the vehicle capacity weight and seating designations as finally manufactured.” While relatively minor, the defect does create some risk as owners could accidentally overload their vehicles based on the incorrect information, thereby affecting maneuverability and increasing the likelihood of an accident. However, Volkswagen has not received field reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

Volkswagen engineers conducted conformity of production tests in October 2017 and found that multiple recently manufactured vehicles were equipped with tires affixed with placards displaying incorrect vehicle weight information. Production staff immediately amended existing assembly processes to prevent recurrences.

In November 2017, the Audi Product Safety Committee reviewed information related to the conformity test results and initiated an investigation that concluded in January 2018. Following the inquiry, which revealed the the defective placards violated FMVSS 110, the APSC requested for a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

Volkswagen intends to direct dealers to replace the tire labels on the recalled vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. The German automaker will notify both dealers and owners April 8, 2018.

To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Audis Recalled Due To Potential Air Bag Explosions

January 23, 2018 admin Audi Recalls, Takata Airbag Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI – Jan. 23, 2018 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) recently announced a recall of more than 10,000 of popular Audi models produced between the 2009 and 2011 model years, over concerns that the front passenger air bag could explode, according to a filing made with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Audi vehicles in question include:

2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet
2009-2011 Audi A6
2009 Audi S4 Cabriolet
2009-2011 Audi S6

Recall Summary

Specifically, the problem with the passenger frontal air bags relates to the inflators that could degrade over time if left exposed to high humidity or dramatic temperature changes. That, in turn, could lead inflators to rupture and potentially explode in the event of a crash during which the frontal passenger air bag is deployed. This issue is related to the broader Takata air bag recall.

In the event the inflator were to cause the air bag to rupture and potentially explode, metal fragments could launch into vehicles’ cabins, which could result in serious industry or death. This issue would likely arise only after several years of exposure to the adverse conditions described above, per Takata testing of the faulty air bags. The likelihood of a rupture could, however, increase due to a number of other factors.

Unfortunately, it would be impossible for owners to determine whether their vehicles are likely to be affected by this issue, or if their air bags had already ruptured.

As part of the Takata recall, three “zones” were set up to describe regions where affected vehicles were sold or registered. In this case, A6 Avants and Sedans, as well as S6 Sedans – all from the 2010 and 2011 model years in Zone B. So too were, certain 2011 A6 Avants and Sedans and S6 Sedans.

As for vehicles in Zone C, recalled vehicles include model year 2009 A4 and S4 Cabriolets, A6 Avants and Sedans, S6 Sedans, as well as model year 2010 and 2011 A6 Avants and Sedans, and S6 Sedans.

This filing was made in early January 2018 at the request of the NHTSA, as part of a Coordinated Remedy Order.

The repair

Drivers who own the affected vehicles will be notified by mail about the issue, and asked to take their cars to authorized Audi dealers to have their frontal air bag inflators replaced at no cost. Due to the size of the Takata air bag recall, Volkswagen is working with the NHTSA to stagger its announcement and planning of the recall efforts as part of the coordinated remedy program.

As such, owners and dealers alike will officially receive notification of the recall on or around March 3, 2018.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 10,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. On June 22, 2018, This recall was rolled into a larger recall of 237,947 vehicles. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 116,835 airbags from the recall. had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Audi A5s Recalled for Curtain Air Bag Issue

January 12, 2018 admin Audi Recalls

Auburn Hills, Michigan – Jan. 12, 2018 – Volkswagen Group of America recently announced a recall of more than 8,000 of its Audi A5 Coupes from the 2018 model year, citing concerns about side curtain air bags potentially not deploying properly in the event of an accident, according to a filing made with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Specifically, the head curtain air bag has a chance to get caught on the trim of the vehicle’s A-pillar and therefore may not unfold from its compartment properly.

All vehicles in the recall are expected to be affected by this defect, and were produced from Nov. 17, 2016 to Dec. 14, 2017.

The Defect

The issue arises because all air bags for these luxury vehicles were produced with excess fabric as well as a paper sleeve on the upper part of the A-Pillar.

In crashes in which the head curtain air bags are supposed to deploy, the potential for the air bag to get hung up on the A-pillar could result in injury for occupants, due to “positional tolerances.” As of Dec. 8, all Audi A5s from the 2018 model year were produced without the excess fabric and paper sleeves in question.

Timeline of Events

Prior to July 2017, testing on these vehicles showed that there was 100 percent compliance with production standards in air bag deployment issues, but at that time, testing showed certain abnormalities in deployment for air bags in the “foremost position.”

The next month, the issue came before the Audi Product Safety Committee, which ordered more testing and evaluation to be conducted on the affected vehicles. Those tests took place between August and November, 2017, which determined the factors and causes related to the air bag deployment issue, as well as what that could mean for drivers and passengers.

On Dec. 13, 2017, the Product Safety Committee determined the root cause of the defect and decided to issue the recall.

The Solution

Drivers of the affected vehicles were advised to bring their Audi A5s to a dealer, where excess fabric on the curtain air bags will be removed, as will the paper sleeves on the upper parts of the A-pillars. As these alterations are free of charge, the repairs will not require reimbursement for owners.

Both Audi dealers and affected owners will begin receiving notification in the near future, starting on or before Jan. 31, 2018.

Audi Recalling A6 and A7 Vehicles Over Fuel Line Issues

December 26, 2017 admin Audi Recalls, Volkswagen Recalls

Auburn Hills, Michigan – Dec. 26, 2017 – Volkswagen Group of America recently announced that it would recall nearly 49,000 Audi A6 and A7 executive cars from model years 2012 to 2014, over concerns about the potential for a leaking fuel line, according to a defect report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The issue stems from a compression point in the design of the fuel line that was supposed to facilitate installation. However, that part of the fuel line may weaken over time due to issues in the manufacturing process, potentially leading to a leak.

The vehicles in question were produced from March 28, 2011, to Sept. 13, 2013, and 100 percent of the A6s and A7s in the recall are affected by the issue.

The Defect

The defect was first noticed as far back as the middle of 2013, but various intermediate fixes were apparently not effective in fully reducing the risk of a fuel line leak. In fact, various attempted fixes may have exacerbated the problem in certain situations. The fuel line was manufactured by a parts supplier based in Denmark, but many of the fixes were made by Audi on the basis of software updates to the vehicles’ internal gearbox computer.

Leaking fuel could lead to a fire or explosion if in the presence of an ignition source. Drivers or vehicle occupants may be able to spot this issue by noticing a gasoline smell, or puddles under their vehicles.

Timeline of Events

In 2013, Audi began receiving reports of A6 and A7 vehicles that had the 3.0TFSI engine installed, prompting an investigation by the company. In June 2014, with reports of leaking fuel lines increasing, the company’s Product Safety Committee received more information on the issue and made the decision to update the gearboxes’ software, with an eye toward reducing vibration and strain on the fuel lines. Monitoring of the issue continued even after this point.

From March 2015 to April 2017, more information came in that some Audi vehicles were still suffering the same type of damage even after getting the gearbox software update. Once again, the Product Safety Committee received the latest data on the investigation and conducted more field analysis.

In October 2017, the company’s laboratory analyzed 11 fuel lines, none of which showed any damage, but later that month and into November, more incidents were reported.

Then on Nov. 29, the Product Safety Committee completed further analysis and determined it was time to recall the vehicles in question.

The Solution

Audi drivers whose vehicles are affected by the recall will be able to take them to their local Audi dealerships or other locations for free repairs. The company will also offer reimbursement to owners who already paid to have these issues fixed.

The replacement fuel lines have a redesigned fuel hose that shrinks during installation instead of being compressed.

Both dealers and owners will be formally informed of the recall on Feb. 5, 2018.

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Recall Summary

The repair

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

The Defect

Timeline of Events

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The Defect

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