Volkswagen recalls Audis for loss of engine power

Auburn Hills, MI – April 1, 2022 – Volkswagen  (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has issued a recall for 26,053 vehicles due to the loss of power because of an engine issue. 

This recall comes on the heels of a U.S. government investigation and covers the following models:

  • 2013 Audi A8
  • 2014 Audi A8
  • 2015 Audi A8
  • 2016 Audi A8
  • 2017 Audi A8
  • 2013 Audi S6 
  • 2014 Audi S6 
  • 2015 Audi S6 
  • 2016 Audi S6 
  • 2017 Audi S6 
  • 2013 – 2017 Audi S6 
  • 2013 – 2017 Audi S7 
  • 2013 – 2017 Audi S8
  • 2014 – 2017 Audi RS7

Recall summary

Turbocharger is a device that is fitted on the engine to improve its performance and fuel efficiency. There are bearings inside the turbocharger that are essential to its operation as they allow the charger to spin at high speeds, increasing the vehicle’s power output. The bearings must be sufficiently lubricated by an oil supply system so they can withstand extremely high temperatures and pressures produced as a result of the turbocharger operation. 

The strainer used by the supply system to keep impurities can become clogged by “carbon deposits” and other contaminants present in the oil. When this happens, it can deprive bearings of lubrication, causing them to wear out faster than usual. It is not clear why this is occurring.

Recall risks


This defect can cause the turbocharger to break. This can cut off power to the engine and result in the vehicle stalling, which increases the risk of a crash. 

Warning signs

Warning messages such as the malfunction indicator light (MIL), low oil warning light or electronic power control (EPC) may flash on the dashboard. Customers may also notice “extended cranking or rough idling.”  

Background of the recall

This recall is a result of an investigation by the U.S. auto safety regulator, the National Transportation Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), launched a year ago on the back of 58 complaints and a number of field reports alleging a sudden stall while driving. Some of the complaints allege that the car was not able to be restarted after losing power. Several drivers mentioned that repairs ran them in tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The repair

Volkswagen will reimburse owners who have already incurred repair expenses arising from the defect while dealers will replace the defective oil strainer for the turbocharger and perform an oil change. All repairs will be done free of charge.

Affected owners will be notified by May 20, 2022. 

Other Audi recalls 

There was an Audi RS6 recall earlier this month due to fuel gauges that could show an inaccurate fuel level, which could lead to the car running out of gas and a stall, as reported. The recall included more than 45,000 RS6 and other vehicles, such as RS7, also as reported.

A recall was issued for more than 280,000 Audi vehicles in December 2021 over due to the loss of control due to premature tire wear, as reported.

Volkswagen also recalled more than 40,000 Audi models in May 2021 over the suspension system which could potentially break, compromising the vehicle’s control.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 26,000 vehicles are included in this Audi turbocharger recall. To see if your vehicle is part of this Audi recall,  use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.  

Joseph EstabilloVolkswagen recalls Audis for loss of engine power

Volkswagen recalls Audi Q7 whose airbag may injure children

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

Audi vehicles recalled for battery power supply issue

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 Audi Sportbacks for faulty wiring

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

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

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