Volkswagen recalls Audis over reduced braking performance

Auburn Hills, MI – September 16, 2023 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY), which owns the Audi brand, has recalled 7,499 cars with incorrectly labeled brake fluid caps. This may cause the driver to use the wrong type of brake fluid which may hinder the car’s braking ability, upping the risk of a crash.

Vehicles affected by this recall include:  

  • 2021 Audi RS6  
  • 2021 Audi RS7
  • 2021 Audi S6
  • 2021 Audi S7  
  • 2021 Audi A6 Allroad
  • 2019 – 2021 Audi A6 
  • 2019 – 2021 Audi A7

Recall summary  

The affected vehicles were fitted with a brake fluid cap which has incorrect information regarding the kind of fluid to use.

As a result, the owner may pour the wrong type of fluid into the reservoir which could damage the brake system.

Recall risks

The damage can reduce “braking ability,” increase stopping distance and augment the risk of a crash.

Other VW recalls

There was an Audi recall in November 2022 caused by a partial power loss, as reported.

In May 2023, over 35,000 ID.4 electric SUVs were recalled due to the risk of their doors opening while driving, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will check the brake reservoir cap and replace it with the corresponding version free of charge.

Owners should receive letters with more information by  October 17, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Nearly 8,000 cars are affected by this Volkswagen brake cap recall. To do a Volkswagen recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicVolkswagen recalls Audis over reduced braking performance

Volkswagen recalls Audi vehicles over rearview display issue

Auburn Hills, MI – October 26, 2022 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY), which owns the Audi brand, is recalling 170,296 vehicles over a problem with the rearview camera display, which can up the risk of an accident.  

The recall covers the following models: 

  • 2021 Audi e-tron
  • 2022 Audi e-tron GT
  • 2021– 2022 Audi RSQ8
  • 2021 Audi RS7, RS6 and RS5
  • 2021 Audi S8, S7, S6, S5, S5 Cabriolet and S4
  • 2021 Audi A8, A7, A6, A5, A5 Cabriolet and A4
  • 2021 Audi SQ8, SQ7 and SQ5
  • 2021 Audi Q8, Q7 and Q5

Recall summary

The dashboard screen on the affected models may fail to display the rearview camera image when Reverse gear is engaged, showing only a blank screen. In certain situations, the dashboard main unit could malfunction, leading to no image being shown. 

Recall risks

For risks of this recall please visit this article about a similar GM recall.

Other Audi recalls

In September 2022, Volkswagen issued a recall for 13,004 2021-2022 Audi Q3 SUVs over a damaged fuel tank vent pipe that could lead to fuel spills and prevent the vehicle’s fuel tank from being filled.

In December 2021, Volkswagen recalled 288,991 2018-2022 Audi Q5 and SQ5 SUVs over gateway control modules that could sustain water damage, leading the engine to lose power, increasing the risk of accidents.

The repair

Dealers will fix these Audi software issues by updating the infotainment software on the affected vehicles at no cost to owners.

 Affected owners will be notified on or around December 2, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 170,000 vehicles are affected by this Audi rearview display recall. To check for Audi e-tron recalls or other Audi recalls on your vehicle,  run an Audi recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloVolkswagen recalls Audi vehicles over rearview display issue

Volkswagen recalls over 153,000 Audis due to airbag malfunction

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