Air bags: side/windowRecall 16V-045 · Audi and Volkswagen vehicles
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. recall 16V-045 covers 734 Audi and Volkswagen vehicles for a air bags: side/window problem, reported to NHTSA on January 28, 2016. The manufacturer's latest report (2017 Q4) shows 80% of affected vehicles repaired.
Source: NHTSA recall 16V045000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by the manufacturer.
The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW).
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fast cars are being fixed
80%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. 5 vehicles were listed as unreachable.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from January 13, 2015 to February 3, 2015. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.