Certain 2021 Audi RS6 Avant, RS7, 20202021 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, S7, 20192021 A6 Sedan, and A7 vehicles are being recalled by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi). If the fuel level sender sticks, the instrument cluster may provide an incorrect fuel level reading.
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How can I find out if there is a recall on my car?
Everyone makes errors, and everyone experiences bad days.
We’ve survived more than one internal crises thanks to the classic song from none other than Hannah Montana, and it also applies to manufacturers. Every now and again, an automaker or one of its component suppliers will make a mistake that might put you in risk.
Fortunately, there are procedures in place to make those errors right. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tens of millions of vehicles are recalled annually in the United States, including more than 31 million from 786 recalls in 2020 alone (NHTSA). We’re here to explain why and how auto recalls are issued, the cost of doing recall work, and how to find out if your car is now under recall. Let’s start now.
What Is a Car Recall?
A product recall in the automotive industry is a manufacturer’s admission that some of its vehicles pose a safety concern. Recalls are specifically issued when a vehicle or a part of a vehicle does not meet one or more Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards established by the NHTSA or when a vehicle or a part of a vehicle exhibits a safety-related flaw.
A recall campaign may affect a large number of vehicles, such as all 2019 and 2020 model year Volvo automobiles, or it may just affect a small number. Mercedes-Benz and Porsche both conducted recalls in 2021, however they each only affected one model. Although the Takata airbag recall, which affected over 42 million vehicles, is likely the most well-known in recent memory, additional recall campaigns in 2019 were brought on by problems with the brakes, electrical, external lighting, and powertrain systems.
According to the NHTSA, manufacturers typically decide whether to recall a product on their own, without the requirement for intervention from the federal safety agency. That idea was validated in a conversation with Hyundai’s chief safety officer, Brian Latouf. According to Latouf, OEMs, like Hyundai, have safety offices that monitor customer and dealer data streams for trends and, when appropriate, undertake investigations into those trends by calculating the frequency and risk value associated with a particular car issue.
In terms of origin, manufacturing flaws or subpar supplier parts are typically to blame for issues in new cars, though recalls can also occur with older models. Latouf noted that recalls for older cars are typically the consequence of metals corroding or parts wearing out, problems that frequently take years to manifest. To avoid future problems, Hyundai has increased the technical standards for potential fatigue and corrosion.
It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to notify the NHTSA of its findings and take necessary action if a recall is deemed necessary. There are other instances where the NHTSA discovers a car that doesn’t adhere to a safety requirement and notifies the automaker.
Are Car Recalls Free? Do They Expire?
Yes, but there are some exceptions, in brief. The law gives consumers three alternatives for rectification when a recall is issued: repair, replacement, or refund. The decision to repair the issue for free, replace the car with a similar or identical model, or refund the full purchase price after making a reasonable allowance for depreciation depends largely on cost.
However, if the car was made 15 years or more before the fault was discovered, the manufacturer is not compelled to correct it. Although owners would have to pay out of pocket in this scenario, they are still urged to have the recall work done.
How to Check if Your Car Is Affected by a Recall
Oh, and don’t believe that just because you purchased a used automobile from a dealership, all of the recall work has been done. According to Juliet Guerra of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), secondhand cars can still be sold by dealers unless the NHTSA or the manufacturer deems them to be too risky to drive or operate. Guerra claims that “dealers enthusiastically embrace” informing customers of any found flaws so they may arrange to have them fixed as soon as replacement components are available.
Visit the NHTSA’s recall website (nhtsa.gov/recall) and enter your vehicle’s VIN to find out whether there are any active recalls for your model of vehicle. (The VIN of a car is typically located on your registration as well as in the lower left corner of the windshield.)
The NHTSA also just released its SaferCar app, which may alert you when your vehicle is subject to recalls. The app will notify you if the manufacturer issues a recall once you download it. You can enter your VIN or year, make, and model at this point (although the VIN is more precise).
The system will show you any unrepaired safety recalls issued in the previous 15 years when you enter your VIN. It won’t appear if the recall work was done by you or a previous owner. We advise looking into recalls no less than twice a year.
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To keep moisture and dust from getting into the swivel bearing mechanism, the steering assembly’s tie rods are sealed on either side. Certain tie rod seals might not function properly. The swivel bearing system could wear out over time, reducing the vehicle’s steering control, if moisture or dust particles get inside.
The tie rods will be changed by dealers. On October 15, 1999, owner notification started. Owners should call Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987 or Audi at 1-800-822-2834 if they do not get the free solution within a reasonable amount of time.
Seats
Certain 20172020 Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 20182019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 20182020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles are being recalled by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi). A contact issue in the cable that connects the seat warmer to the passenger occupancy detection system (PODS) could lead to the software misdiagnosing a problem and disabling the passenger air bag.
In the case of a collision, the danger of injury is increased by a disabled passenger air bag.
The connecting wire and either the heating mat or the complete seat cover will be replaced by dealers at no cost to the customer. On January 7, 2022, owner notification letters were sent out. The customer support number for Audi is 1-800-253-2834. The recall number for Audi is 74E3. Recall 19V-547 is expanded by this recall (74D9). For the new fix, vehicles that have already been repaired under 19V-547 must be returned.
Air bags
Certain 2000-2001 Audi TT Coupe, TT Roadster, 2000-2002 A4, and S4 vehicles with Non-Azide Driver Air Bag Inflators (NADI) that do not include phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant are being recalled by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen). The NADI inflators may collect moisture as a result of a manufacturing flaw, which might result in the air bag not deploying properly in the case of a collision.
The risk of a serious injury or death is increased if the air bag does not adequately protect the occupant in the event of a crash requiring air bag deployment.
Dealers will give customers a free replacement frontal airbag inflator for the driver. Letters informing the owners should arrive in the mail on August 20, 2021. The customer support number for Audi is 1-800-253-2834. The recall number for Volkswagen is 69CJ.
Certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not utilize phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant are being recalled by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW). The NADI inflators may collect moisture as a result of a manufacturing flaw, which might result in the air bag not deploying properly in the case of a collision.
When the replacement inflators are ready, dealers will swap out the driver’s frontal air bag inflator for free. On March 27, 2020, interim owner notifications are anticipated to start. The customer support number for Audi is 1-800-253-2834. The recall number for Volkswagen is 69AE.
Air bags: Sensor: Occupant classification
Certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, 2017-2018 A4 Sedan, and A4 Allroad vehicles are being recalled by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi). Oxidation on the connection cable for the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) might lead to the software misdiagnosing a problem and disabling the passenger air bag.
Owners will be notified by Audi, and dealers will attach cable ties to the harness at no additional cost. Recall started on September 9, 2019. The customer service number for Volkswagen is 1-800-893-5298. The recall number for Audi is 74D9.
Air bags: Frontal: Passenger side: Inflator module
Certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and 20172018 Audi A4 Allroad vehicles are being recalled by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen). It’s possible that a mounting screw for a passenger air bag module wasn’t tightened enough, which could have an impact on how the air bag operates in an accident.
Injury risk can increase if the air bag does not deploy properly in the case of a collision.
Owners will be notified by Volkswagen, and dealers will check the air bag mounting screw, tightening or replacing it free of charge as necessary. Beginning with December 19, 2018, the recall. The customer support number for Audi is 1-800-253-2834. The recall number for Volkswagen is 69Y4.
Certain 20052008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and Sedan, 20072008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 20072009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 20052011 A6 Sedan, 20062011 A6 Avant, and 20072011 S6 Sedan vehicles are being recalled by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen). Some air bag inflators are installed in these vehicles as original equipment or aftermarket replacements as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules. These inflators run the risk of exploding in the event of a crash that calls for the deployment of the passenger frontal air bag due to propellant degradation brought on by prolonged exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
In the event of an inflator explosion, the driver or other passengers may be seriously hurt or killed when sharp metal shards strike them.
Owners have been informed by Audi, and dealers will free of charge replace the passenger frontal air bag with a different replacement part. Recall commenced on June 29, 2018. The customer support number for Audi is 1-800-253-2834. The recall number for Volkswagen is 69R7. The cars covered by this recall, which replaces recalls 16V382, 17V032, and 18V004, may have previously had their air bags changed as part of one of those campaigns.
Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system
A number of 20132017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan, and Audi Q5 vehicles, 20122015 Audi A6 vehicles, and 20132016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles are being recalled by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen). These vehicles use electric coolant pumps that can either short circuit due to moisture inside the pump or become blocked with debris from the cooling system, causing the engine to overheat.
Owners will be notified by Audi, and dealers will replace the pumps at no cost. Beginning on September 14, 2018, the recall. The customer support number for Audi is 1-800-253-2834. The 19N3 and 19N4 are Audi’s numbers for this recall. Recall 17V002’s coolant pump software update was also issued, although this recall is extra to it.
Certain 2010-2011 Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan, and S6 Sedan cars that have ever been registered in the “Zone B” states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia are being recalled by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen). Additionally, Volkswagen is recalling some 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet vehicles, as well as 2009-2011 Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan, and S6 Sedan vehicles, all of which were sold new and were registered in “Zone C,” which is comprised of the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington These vehicles have specific air bag inflators installed as original equipment in the passenger frontal air bag modules.
Owners will be notified by Audi, and dealers will free of charge replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator. Before March 3rd, 2018, Audi will send an interim owner notification. Audi will contact owners when the necessary parts are available for the recall repair, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost to the customer. In June 2018, the recall is anticipated to begin. The customer support number for Audi is 1-800-253-2834.
Structure: Body: Door: Hinge and attachments
Certain 2017-2018 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad, as well as 2018 A5 Sportback vehicles, are being recalled by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen). Sharp edges might be exposed when the aluminum trim on the front and back doors comes loose from around the door speakers.
The speaker trim’s jagged edges raise the possibility of damage to passengers in cars.
Owners will be notified by Audi, and dealers will replace the aluminum speaker cover trim at no cost. Recall started on March 13, 2018. The customer support number for Audi is 1-800-253-2834. The recall number for Volkswagen is 70G6.