Volkswagen recalls over 153,000 Audis due to airbag malfunction

Volkswagen recalls over 153,000 Audis due to airbag malfunction

April 2, 2021 Rebecca Rand ,

Auburn Hills, MI – April 2, 2021 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY), which owns the Audi brand, has recalled 153,152 Audi A3-generation cars whose passenger-side airbags may deactivate while someone is sitting in that seat, increasing that passenger’s risk of injury in a crash. The recall includes the following convertibles, sedans and crossover SUVs:

  • 2015 – 2020 Audi A3 
  • 2016 – 2018 Audi A3 e-tron
  • 2017 – 2020 Audi RS3 
  • 2015 – 2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet
  • 2015 – 2020 Audi S3 

The component in question is the “repair kit for passenger seat occupant detection,” part number 8V0898522.

Recall summary  

This recall addresses an ongoing problem with the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), which senses when there is a passenger sitting in the front seat. The PODS is supposed to deactivate the passenger airbag when the seat is empty, but in the case of recalled cars, the airbag “turns off” even when the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of an injury to the passenger in a crash.

The deactivation may occur sporadically and “for a limited amount of time.”

Previous recall

A previous recall for this issue was conducted in 2019 but failed to fix the issue as the manufacturer kept receiving reports that some repaired PODS have continued to malfunction. 

Recent customer complaints about this issue highlighted that this was a “known problem” for “many Audi models, not just A3 and S3” and that, in addition to the airbag issue, some of these models also experienced a seat belt malfunction. The seat belt warning kept going off even though there was no one in the seat.

Risks

Data shows that airbags reduce crash fatalities by 11%, but they can only protect people if they actually deploy. Deactivated airbags cannot protect passengers in a crash. 

Safety tips

Vehicle occupants need to pay attention to the airbag indicator light, which will illuminate if the airbag system has been deactivated. Along with the light, the occupants should also hear a chime and see an error message in the instrument panel. If the warnings come on:

  • Have the front passenger sit elsewhere in the car.
  • Do NOT use the front passenger seat going forward.
  • Take the car to the nearest dealership as soon as possible.

The repair

Audi is still investigating the problem and has not determined what the repair will be.  Owners will receive letters in the mail with more information about the recall on May 21.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 153,000 vehicles are included in this Audi recall. To see if your Audi is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandVolkswagen recalls over 153,000 Audis due to airbag malfunction
Volkswagen recalls Atlas SUVs as part of Continental tire recall

Volkswagen recalls Atlas SUVs as part of Continental tire recall

March 17, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Auburn Hills, MI – June 7, 2022 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has remedied issues with 2,110 vehicles including the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas that had problems with Continental tires. So far, six of these Volkswagen vehicles have been declared unreachable and 0 has been removed from the recall. Four groups of these 2019 Volkswagen Atlas models were remedied in 2021, and one group was remedied in 2022 due to this issue with Continental tires that can suffer a sudden air loss and rupture.

Auburn Hills, MI – March 17, 2021 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has recalled 2,535 SUVs equipped with problematic Continental tires that may break apart or rupture. The recall includes 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Volkswagen 2019 SUVs and concerns 255/50 R20 and 245/60 R18 105 T CrossContact LX Sport tires.

Recall summary

When tires are manufactured, they have to be “cured” inside a mold to hold their final shape.  The tires used on the 2019 and 2018 VW Atlas were accidentally cured for longer than necessary, making them more brittle and susceptible to breakage.

The tires are part of a larger problem with Continental brand tires, which has led to recalls by General Motors and Mercedes Benz in the past month.

Risks

The tire rupture could take place in two possible ways:  the tire wall may burst, causing a flat. Alternatively, the tire tread – the part that touches the road – could separate from the rest of the tire. Both could result in the car spinning out of control, raising the risk of an accident.

Although VW recall documents do not specify any warning signs that drivers should look out for,  Mercedes Benz’s recall of the same tires on their GLE SUVs says that the following may be signs of trouble:

  • Visible wear of the tire tread
  • A bulge in the tire tread area
  • Excessive vibrations of the car

The repair

Volkswagen will inspect and, if needed, replace vehicles’ tires for free. Owners will be notified with more information about the recall starting on May 4.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 2,500 vehicles are included in this Volkswagen recall. To see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandVolkswagen recalls Atlas SUVs as part of Continental tire recall
Volkswagen recalls Audi Q7 whose airbag may injure children

Volkswagen recalls Audi Q7 whose airbag may injure children

February 25, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Auburn Hills, MI – August 24, 2022 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has remedied issues with 25,509 vehicles including the 2021 Audi Q7 that had problems with front passenger airbags. Additionally, 16 of these Audi vehicles have been declared unreachable and 0 has been removed from the recall. Four groups of these Audi vehicles were remedied in 2021, and one group was remedied in 2022 due to these issues with the front passenger airbags.

Auburn Hills, MI – February 25, 2021 – Volkswagen  (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has recalled 26,967 luxury SUVs whose airbags may injure children in the front seat. This VW recall includes 2020 Audi Q7 and 2021 Audi Q7 luxury SUVs.

Recall Summary  

Due to a programming error, the front passenger airbag in these Audi Q7 2021 and 2020 cars may deploy too quickly during a crash and injure a child who is in the front seat.  

The issue was discovered during testing with a dummy meant to mimic the body of a six-year-old. Airbags hit the dummy’s neck with slightly more force than is allowed by federal safety standards. The impact only occurred in “low-speed front crashes.”

Even though the back seat is the safest place for children in the car, it is still legal in many states for children to ride in the front seat, which is why this test was conducted.

Risks

Airbags deploy in a matter of milliseconds with great force to protect drivers and passengers from impact. But this force can, in some cases, injure children especially if they are too close to the airbag. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends the following to prevent airbag injuries:

  1. Children in rear-facing car seats should not be seated in front of an active air bag.
  2. Children under 13 should be seated in the back seat.
  3. Front-seat passengers should sit as far back from the steering wheel or dashboard as possible.
  4. Always wear a seat belt—airbags are designed to work WITH seat belts, not by themselves.

The repair

To address this Audi recall, dealers will update the airbag computers so that the airbags deploy more safely. This fix will be free. Recall notifications with more details about when and how to get the update will be sent out to owners on April 16.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 30,000 vehicles are included in this Audi Q7 recall. To see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandVolkswagen recalls Audi Q7 whose airbag may injure children
Volkswagen recalls Atlas vehicles for steering issue

Volkswagen recalls Atlas vehicles for steering issue

February 23, 2021 Ken Boyd

Auburn Hills, MI – February 23, 2021 – Volkswagen AG (NASDAQ:VWAGY) has recalled 10,303 vehicles, due to a manufacturing error that may cause the front steering knuckles – which is what allows the wheels to turn – to fracture, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes 2021 VW Atlas SUVs and 2020-2021 VW Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The affected component’s part number is 3QF.407.255.E-256.

Recall summary  

Steering knuckles – also known as spindles – connect the car’s wheels to the suspension and steering components. Each front wheel has their own knuckle. Because of a supplier error, one or both of the front steering knuckles may fracture, and the driver may lose control of the vehicle.

Risks 

If the knuckles fracture while the vehicle is moving, the driver may immediately lose control, which greatly increases the risk of a crash. Without the ability to steer properly, the driver may hit other vehicles, stationary objects or a pedestrian. 

Other recalls, lawsuit

The 2020 Atlas SUV has been recalled for front seat frame, improperly aligned headlights, tires and rearview camera issues. In March of 2020, Volkswagen was the subject of a class action lawsuit regarding warranties on the Atlas and other vehicles.

VW’s Atlas 2021 cars are not subject to any additional recalls.

The repair

To fix the VW recall issue, dealers will need to inspect and possibly replace both steering knuckles. The repair is free of charge. Owners will be notified on March 26.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 10,300 vehicles are included in this recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydVolkswagen recalls Atlas vehicles for steering issue
Audi vehicles recalled for battery power supply issue

Audi vehicles recalled for battery power supply issue

January 28, 2021 Ken Boyd ,

Auburn Hills, MI – January 28, 2021 – Volkswagen Group (NASDAQ:VWAGY) has recalled 2,355 Audi vehicles, due to an issue with a battery terminal cover. The 12-volt battery power supply may be compromised in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The recall includes 2018 Audi RS5 Coupe and 2019 Audi RS5 Coupe vehicles. The affected component is terminal cover; part number 8K0 915 429C.

Recall summary  

Vehicle batteries include covers on both the positive and negative charging terminals.

The recalled vehicles have the wrong cover on one battery terminal, which protects the 12-volt battery power supply.  As a result of the incorrect cover being installed, the power supply “may become compromised” in the event of a rear-end crash. This may make it difficult for first responders and bystanders to open the vehicle doors after a crash and also disable hazard warning lights.

2021 Audi R25 Sportback, 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportbacks and Audi S5  Sportbacks were recalled in December for faulty wiring which could result in the same issues as this one.

Risks 

For risks related to this issue, please visit this article about another Audi recall.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the cover for the positive terminal of the 12-volt battery. The repair is free of charge, and Audi expects the recall to begin February 7, 2021. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 2,300 vehicles are included in this Audi RS5 Coupe recall. To perform an Audi recall check, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydAudi vehicles recalled for battery power supply issue
Volkswagen recalls over 100,000 cars equipped with Takata airbag inflators

Volkswagen recalls over 100,000 cars equipped with Takata airbag inflators

January 4, 2021 Rebecca Rand ,

Auburn Hills, MI – January 4, 2021 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has recalled 105,652 Beetles and Beetle convertibles whose driver-side Takata airbag inflators could explode, hitting the occupants of the vehicle with its potentially lethal metal fragments.

This is the latest in the series of widespread Takata airbag recalls. General Motors and Nissan recently announced their own recalls associated with these dangerous airbags.

This round of recalls involves the following model years:

  • 2012 Volkswagen Beetle compact cars, as well as the 2013 and 2014 models
  • 2012 Volkswagen Beetle convertibles, as well as the 2013 and 2014 models

Recall summary

Cars involved in this ever-growing Takata airbag recall were made with Takata inflators that may blow up during a crash and hurl metal fragments at the driver and passenger, injuring or killing them. 

The airbags on these Volkswagen Beetle convertible and compact cars are no exception, despite being made with a desiccant, or drying agent, that was designed to prevent moisture – which is one of the factors in the explosion – from getting into the airbags.  However, while the addition of the drying agent does help, it does not fully prevent these inflators from degrading, resulting in a high risk of an explosion. The risk becomes higher as the inflators age, according to a study submitted to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) on behalf of the manufacturers involved in the Takata recall in 2019.

Volkswagen’s internal efforts failed to show that these airbags were dangerous. However, the manufacturer agreed to recall the cars “out of an abundance of caution.”

To read more about the background of the Takata airbag recall, please see the following article about the recent General Motors recall of Takata airbags that suffered the same issue.

Risks

Exploding inflators pose a serious threat to the safety of car occupants. More than 25 people have been killed and at least 250 injured so far in the Takata airbag recall, which has turned into the biggest automotive recalls in U.S. history. 

The report provided by NHTSA to the public about the recall does not furnish any information about injuries associated with this particular Volkswagen recall.

Additional recalls

This is only the first round of Volkswagen recalls replacing desiccated Takata airbag inflators. The manufacturer has agreed to issue further recalls as vehicles age. The next recall, which will take place in 2023, will include 2015-2016 Volkswagen Beetles and Beetle convertibles. 2017-2019 Beetles and convertibles will be recalled in 2025, along with 2011-2014 Passats.

Repair

Volkswagen dealers will replace the airbag with one that does not contain ammonium nitrate. The repair is not yet available. Owners will be notified by mail starting February 12, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 100,000 vehicles are included in this Volkswagen recall. As of April 29, 2021, 2,151 airbags had been replaced, with 103,501 remaining. Use MotorSafety’s free recall lookup tool to see if your vehicle is among the ones that still need to be repaired.

Note: June 8, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have updated the completion rate of this recall in the last paragraph to reflect the most up-to-date information.


Rebecca RandVolkswagen recalls over 100,000 cars equipped with Takata airbag inflators
Volkswagen recalls Audi Sportbacks for faulty wiring

Volkswagen recalls Audi Sportbacks for faulty wiring

December 21, 2020 Rebecca Rand ,

Auburn Hills, MI – December 21, 2020– Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has recalled 5,426 Audi Sportbacks whose wiring may become damaged in a crash, preventing the doors from being opened from the outside. Hazard lights may also fail, increasing the risk of an injury and death to the occupants of the vehicle.

The recall includes:

  • 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportbacks
  • 2021 Audi RS5 Sportbacks
  • 2020-2021 Audi S5  Sportbacks

Recall summary  

The recall concerns the wires in the rear of the car that control the rear lights and supply power to parts of the car. Due to a supplier error, these wires were not built with scuff protection and may become damaged in the event of a crash.

Safety concerns

The damage – that could occur during a rear crash at 50 miles per hour – could affect the vehicle’s power supply, making it impossible to turn on the hazard lights or open the car doors from the outside. Both of these problems increase the risk of injury in the case of a crash. Hazard lights serve to warn approaching drivers of a stopped or a slowed car, preventing rear-end crashes.

Inability to open doors from the outside may result in the death or injury of the driver and passengers, especially if they are incapacitated and the car is burning.

The repair

Audi will notify owners of the recall by Jan 22, 2021. As a free fix for this Audi Volkswagen problem, dealers will apply adhesive tape to protect the wires.  This repair is not yet available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 5,000 vehicles are included in this Volkswagen recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandVolkswagen recalls Audi Sportbacks for faulty wiring
Volkswagen 2018 Tiguans recalled for potential seat belt tear

Volkswagen 2018 Tiguans recalled for potential seat belt tear

December 9, 2020 Ken Boyd

Auburn Hills, MI – December 9, 2020 – Volkswagen Group (NASDAQ:VWAGY) has recalled 10,835 vehicles, due to an issue with the front seat belts. If a crash occurs, a seat belt’s webbing may tear, and the belt will not properly restrain the occupant.This Volkswagen (VW) recall includes certain 2018 Tiguan LWB SUVs.

Recall summary  

A seat belt tear (referred to by Volkswagen as a rupture) was initially noted during tests performed by the NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) in December 2017. 

  • During each test, the vehicle was driven at 35 mph into a full frontal impact, and the front driver side seat belt ruptured. 
  • The seat belt webbing separated completely in the area of the seat belt latch.

In 2020, Volkswagen ran a series of tests but could not determine the root cause of the seat belt issue uncovered by NHTSA. Despite that, VW recalled the vehicles “out of abundance of caution.” Vehicles that are being recalled may have received seat belts from the same production lot used in the NHTSA test.

Risks 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “[m]otor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among those aged 1-54 in the U.S.” More than half of the fatalities in people aged 13-44 years occurred when they were not buckled into a seat belt. 

If a seat belt malfunctions and does not restrain the occupant, the individual may be injured inside of the car or thrown from the vehicle.

The repair

To fix this potential 2018 Tiguan problem, dealers will replace front seat belts with seat belts from a different production lot. The repair is free of charge. Volkswagen expects the recall to begin on January 19, 2021. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 10,800 vehicles are included in this Volkswagen recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydVolkswagen 2018 Tiguans recalled for potential seat belt tear
Audi recalls Q7 SUVs over higher risk of head injury in event of crash

Audi recalls Q7 SUVs over higher risk of head injury in event of crash

November 27, 2020 Aleksandra Snesareva ,

Pleasanton, CA – April 14, 2022 – Volkswagen AG (NASDAQ:VWAGY) has remedied issues with 86,004 2018-2020 Audi Q7 that were dealing with roof issues caused by inadequate padding on the c-pillar. Additionally, 154 of these 2018-2020 Audi Q7 vehicles have been declared unreachable and 0 have been removed from the recall. One group of these Audi Q7 models with c-pillar issues that may cause head injuries were remedied in 2020 and four more groups were remedied in 2021.

Pleasanton, CA – November 27, 2020 – Volkswagen AG (NASDAQ:VWAGY) has recalled nearly 10% of its 2018-2020 Audi Q7 luxury SUVs due to inadequate padding on one of the pillars – a structure that supports the roof of the car. This issue may translate into a higher risk of a head injury in the event of a crash. Around 94,000 vehicles are affected by this recall.

Part number for the deformation element is 4M0 880 619.

Recall summary

C-pillar is one of the four or five pillars that support the roof of the car and is located towards the back of the car. Recalled vehicles do not have enough padding on this pillar, due to a production error made by a sub-supplier based in Austria.

Risks

Inadequate padding may result in a head injury if a passenger who is not wearing a seatbelt hits his or her head during an accident. Until your car is repaired, pay special attention to your surroundings to protect your loved ones.

The repair

Dealers will replace the non-conforming element of C-pillar free of charge. It is not clear from the recall documents if that element is padding.

The recall started on November 17 but it is uncertain when the remedy will be available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 94,000 vehicles are included in this recall. To see if your Q7 is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Aleksandra SnesarevaAudi recalls Q7 SUVs over higher risk of head injury in event of crash
Volkswagen Jettas recalled for fuel leak issue

Volkswagen Jettas recalled for fuel leak issue

November 19, 2020 Ken Boyd

Pleasanton, CA – April 14, 2022 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has remedied issues with 109,627 2022 Volkswagen Jetta that were dealing with fuel leak issues caused by a manufacturing error. Additionally, 3,100 of these 2017 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles have been declared unreachable and 35 have been removed from the recall. In total Volkswagen remedied the manufacturing error that may cause the fuel rail bolts to loosen provoking a fuel leak in one group all during 2021.

Pleasanton, CA – November 19, 2020 – Volkswagen AG (NASDAQ:VWAGY) has recalled 218,192 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles, due to a manufacturing error that may cause a fuel leak. The recall includes 2016-2018 Volkswagen Jetta sedans.

Recall summary  

A fuel rail is a high-pressure tube that delivers fuel to the vehicle’s fuel injectors. In recalled cars, the bolts that secure the fuel rail are not properly tightened. That can cause them to loosen over time, which can result in a leak.

Risks 

A fuel leak may cause a fire, particularly if it occurs near the sedan’s ignition source. When a leak takes place, drivers may notice fuel leaking from the engine compartment or smell a fuel odor.

A vehicle fire creates a tremendous safety risk for sedan occupants, other drivers and pedestrians. In 2017, for example, vehicle fires were the second most fatal after residential fires, according to a report by the U.S. Fire Administration.

What to do in the event of a vehicle fire

If you suspect that an engine fire is occurring, follow these important steps.

If other people attempt to approach the sedan, warn them to stay away until first responders arrive. Do not attempt to remove any items from the car before exiting. 

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will need to inspect the fuel rail and the fuel rail bolts. Both of these parts will be replaced, if necessary. The repair is free of charge and Volkswagen expects the recall to begin on December 20, 2020.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 218,000 vehicles are included in this Volkswagen Jetta recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydVolkswagen Jettas recalled for fuel leak issue
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