Audi has recalled about 600,000 vehicles for a variety of problems. The problems include issues with the coolant pump and side curtain head-protecting airbag systems.
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Nearly 600,000 Audis, including the automaker’s best-selling Q5 mid-sized crossover, have been recalled to fix airbag and coolant pump issues. A third, small recall covers Volkswagen models with an airbag and seatbelt problems.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a total of 342,867 Audis has been recalled because of coolant pump problems that may lead the device overheating.
Cooling Fan Issues
In a posting on its website, www.safercar.gov, NHTSA noted that debris from the cooling system could block the electric pump. Once blocked, the coolant pump can overheat. VW has developed a software fix for the problem. If the system determines that there is a blockage, the power supply will be shut down to prevent the issue. The recall is set to begin Feb. 20. Audi will notify owners when they can visit their dealers to have the free software update applied.
The vehicles involved include:
- 2013-17 A5, A5 Cabriolet, Q5 crossovers
- 2012-15 A6
- 2013-16 Allroad, A4
The vehicles are equipped with turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines.
Audi owners can contact Audi customer service for more information at 800-253-2834. The VW recall number is 19M1. Or, consumers can contact NHTSA at 888-327-4236 (800-424-9153 for TTY users). Or customers can visit the agency’s website www.safercar.gov. The recall number is 17V00200.
In the second major recall, Audi has recalled 234,054 Audi Q5s built from 2011-17. According to a post on the agency’s site, water may cause the aide-curtain airbag inflator canister to corrode. The corroded inflator canister can, if the side-curtain airbag deploys, cause the canister to explode, shattering the housing, turning the hurtling pieces into shrapnel that, in turn, spray passengers in an accident.
The corrosion’s cause is the sunroof drainage system. The drainage system lets water soak into the foam surrounding the airbag inflator canister, resulting in the corrosion of the canister. Incidents that occurred in 2016 in China and Israel spurred the recall
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Audi will notify owners when to bring their vehicles back to their dealers and repair of the problem. Dealers will inspect and replace the inflator if it needs it. Or, inflators may be coated to keep them dry. The foam will be removed free of charge as part of the recall.
Further Information
For further information, contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi’s identification number for this recall is 69P1. Or, owners can contact NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (800-424-9153 for TTY users). Or you can find more information at the agency’s website, www.safercar.gov. The recall number is 17V001000.
In a third small recall, tied to defects in airbags and seatbelts, affects 5,901, 2017-18 Audi and VW vehicles. Driver-side airbags in the affected vehicles may not deploy properly. Equally as important, the seatbelt pretensioners on the same vehicles may not activate correctly. Dealers will replace airbags and seatbelt pretensioners for free.
Sources: Automotive News, www.safercar.gov
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