The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·24V251000·Announced 2024-04-03

Audi vehicles may have deactivated front passenger airbags

Volkswagen is recalling certain 2023-2024 Audi models because an electrical connection in the front passenger occupant detection system may loosen, disabling the front passenger airbag and preventing deployment during a crash.

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 recall affects a critical vehicle safety system—the front passenger airbag—which, when deactivated, prevents crash protection and significantly increases injury risk. Although no injuries have been reported, the defect represents a documented safety hazard that would cause harm in actual crash situations.

Plain-English summary

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling certain 2023 and 2024 Audi vehicles, including the A8, Q3, Q5, Q7, Q8, A3, A4 Allroad, S5, RS5, SQ7, and TT models. The recalled vehicles have an electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module that may loosen over time.

When this electrical connection loosens, the ODS control module becomes deactivated, which disables the front passenger airbag. A deactivated airbag will not deploy during a crash, significantly increasing the risk of injury to the passenger.

VW has notified owners by mail as of May 8, 2024. The remedy is free replacement of the ODS control module. Owners can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
AUDI Q8, RS Q8, Q5, S5 CABRIOLET
Brand
AUDI
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Airbag System
Hazard
Affected units
91

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 (14)

  • Q8
  • RS Q8
  • Q5
  • S5 CABRIOLET
  • E-TRON
  • RS 5
  • SQ7
  • S5
  • A4 ALLROAD
  • A3
  • TT
  • A8
  • Q3
  • Q7

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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