More Than 582,000 Volkswagen, Audi Vehicles Recalled
The automaker issues three separate recalls, which involve both Volkswagen- and Audi-branded vehicles.

Photo of 2017 Audi Q7 courtesy of Audi.

Photo of 2017 Audi Q7 courtesy of Audi.
Volkswagen Group of America has issued three separate recalls, which cumulatively affect more than 582,000 vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The largest of the three recalls covers 342,867 2013- to 2017-model year Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles, and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. Equipped with 2.01 Turbo FSI engines, these cars have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system. This condition can lead to pump overheating that poses a fire risk, NHTSA said.
Audi dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 19M1.
The second recall affects 234,054 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. In these cars, the sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister. Corrosion of the canister might result.
“This corrosion can weaken the canister and, during deployment of the side head air bag, the inflator may fracture and propel fragments into the passenger compartment,” NHTSA warned on its website. If this occurs, occupants might suffer serious injuries.
Audi dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as needed, after removing the surrounding foam.
The third recall involves replacing faulty air bags or seat belt pretensioners in a total of 5,901 vehicles. Certain 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf, and Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles, along with 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf cars, have driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags, or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are under recall because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
As with the other recalls, there will be no charge for the dealer remedy. Vehicle owners can reach Volkswagen customer service at (800) 893-5298 or Audi customer service at (800) 253-2834.
More Safety

Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset
Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.
Read More →
Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program
For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.
Read More →
How Camera Data Can Strengthen a Fleet’s Insurance Renewal
Insights from a commercial insurance carrier and a broker show how fleets can turn video telematic data, driver coaching, and improved claims results into a stronger case at insurance renewal.
Read More →
The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology
You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.
Read More →
Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks
Fleet compliance isn't just about having policies — it's about consistently enforcing them. This practical guide reveals six hidden compliance risks common in public sector and shared fleet operations and outlines proven strategies to improve visibility, accountability, and audit readiness
Read More →
NETS Sets 2026 Fleet Safety Benchmark Conference for Indianapolis
The Sept. 15–17 program will feature fleet benchmarking data, case studies, emerging technologies, and implementation strategies while running alongside the NSC Safety Congress & Expo.
Read More →
Off-the-Job Crashes Account for 43% of Employers’ $61.7 Billion Crash Burden
NETS quantifies costs dispersed across fleet, risk, HR, and other departments while providing new per-crash benchmarks for employers.
Read More →
Ram Recalls More Than 1.27 Million 1500 Pickups for Seat Belt Anchor Issue
The recall affects certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 pickups that may have improperly attached second-row seat belt buckle anchors.
Read More →How Better Visibility Cut Speeding Violations by 48%
Fleet leaders don't need more data, they need clearer visibility into what the data is saying. This case study explores how one utility replaced speeding-event counts with a single metric — miles driven in violation — to strengthen safety and significantly reduce speeding violations.
Read More →
Operation Safe Driver Week: Why the Industry's Oldest Safety Campaign Still Matters to Fleets
A look at how a 2007 enforcement initiative became one of the most consequential weeks on the fleet safety calendar, and what it means for your drivers in 2026.
Read More →