The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·21V295000·Announced 2021-04-26

Multiple Audi vehicles recalled for defective rear axle suspension lock nuts

Audi is recalling certain 2019-2021 vehicles for rear axle lock nuts that may break from stress corrosion. A broken lock nut can cause axle misalignment, loss of control, and increased crash risk.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: This is a structural vehicle defect affecting a safety-critical suspension component (rear axle). A broken lock nut can cause rear axle misalignment, loss of control, and increased crash risk. Although no injuries or deaths are reported in the source, the defect meets the threshold for a structural vehicle defect per the severity rubric.

Plain-English summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain Audi vehicles from model years 2019, 2020, and 2021. The issue involves lock nuts on the trailing arm of the rear axle assembly that may break due to stress corrosion.

If the lock nut breaks, the rear axle can become misaligned. This misalignment can cause a loss of control of the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. No specific incidents or injuries have been reported to date, but the defect is being addressed through this recall.

The recall affects the 2020 Audi S7, S4, S5, S6, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5, SQ5, RS5, and S8, as well as vehicles from other model years across multiple Audi model lines. In total, approximately 40,993 vehicles are affected by this recall.

Owners will be notified by mail (notification letters were sent on June 4, 2021). Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, at no charge to the owner. Owners can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 to schedule service. Audi's internal recall number is 42L1.

The recalled product

Product
AUDI S5 CABRIOLET, S5, S4, RS 7
Brand
AUDI
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Suspension / Rear Axle
Hazard
Affected units
40,993

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 (19)

  • S5 CABRIOLET
  • S5
  • S4
  • RS 7
  • S8
  • S7
  • SQ5
  • RS 5
  • Q5
  • A8
  • A7
  • S6
  • A4
  • A5
  • A6
  • Q8
  • Q7
  • RS 6 AVANT
  • RS Q8

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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