The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·20V737000·Announced 2020-11-25

Audi recalls S5, A5, and RS5 for rear wiring defect

Volkswagen Group (Audi) is recalling 2020-2021 S5, A5, and RS5 vehicles due to missing anti-abrasion protection on rear light wiring. In a crash, exposed wires may be damaged, potentially disabling door locks and hazard lights.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: This is a structural vehicle defect affecting critical safety systems (door locks and hazard lights). While the potential for injury is explicitly stated, no actual injuries or property damage have been reported, and the defect only manifests in a crash scenario, qualifying it as High severity.

Plain-English summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020 and 2021 Audi S5, A5, and RS5 vehicles. The wiring harness for the rear lights is missing anti-abrasion protection in the spare wheel well area.

Without this protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash. Damaged wiring could prevent the exterior doors from being opened from outside, disable hazard lights, and increase the risk of injury.

Approximately 5,426 vehicles are affected. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will apply scuff protection free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 (recall number 97EU) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
AUDI A5, RS 5, S5
Brand
AUDI
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Exterior Lighting / Door Locks
Hazard
Affected units
5,426

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (3)

  • A5
  • RS 5
  • S5

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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