Driver side: inflator moduleRecall 18V-082 · Audi vehicles
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. recall 18V-082 covers 162,782 Audi vehicles for a driver side: inflator module problem, reported to NHTSA on January 30, 2018. The manufacturer's latest report (2020 Q3) shows 75% of affected vehicles repaired.
Source: NHTSA recall 18V082000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
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
75%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. 3,609 vehicles were listed as unreachable.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from May 30, 2005 to October 22, 2012. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.
The investigation behind this recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureNHTSA