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More Than 582,000 Volkswagen, Audi Vehicles Recalled

The automaker issues three separate recalls, which involve both Volkswagen- and Audi-branded vehicles.

by Staff
January 30, 2017
More Than 582,000 Volkswagen, Audi Vehicles Recalled

Photo of 2017 Audi Q7 courtesy of Audi.

2 min to read


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.

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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.

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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.

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