VW / Audi recalls approx 600,000 Audi vehicles in the U.S. for airbag and coolant pump problems

VW and Audi’s troubles extend beyond the ongoing emissions scandal as both makers have had to recall vehicles for some fairly high-risk problems.

An estimated 576,000 vehicles and SUVs are under a recall for two problems associated with the vehicles: one is for airbag defects, which can be obviously very dangerous for road users, and the second is for coolant pumps problems that may overheat and cause fires.

Both are potentially very dangerous.

Airbag defect

According to regulators, airbag recalls have been made to 234,054 Audi Q5 vehicles from model years 2011 to 2017. The issues with the airbag recalls appear to stem from the sunroof drainage system on the SUVs which may allow water to soak the foam protecting the airbag inflator, causing the canister to corrode.

The problem can be further complicated by the potential risk of the canister rupturing and spraying the driver or occupants with metal fragments in the event of an accident. The potential risk isn’t unfounded; the recall stems from reports of the risk in China and Israel in 2016.

When vehicles are returned to dealers they plan to take apart drainage systems in the sunroof as well as remove the foam pieces and replace corroded canisters, or use sealing wax. Audi has also taken extra precautions to better protect the canister by modifying its production process last July.

Coolant pump defect and seat belt pretensioners

It’s reported that the driver’s airbags on Audi A7s, Audi A4s and Audi A6s and VW Golf, VW e-Golf and VW Tiguan models may not work properly.

Some of the Audi Q7s, Audi A4, Audi A4 Allroad (2017) and Audi Q5s (2016) vehicles have reported issues with the seat belt pretensioners too. The purpose of such pretensioners is to tighten the belt so it prevents the passenger from jolting forward in the event of a crash. Dealers are to replace the airbags and seat belt pretensioners on affected models.

More unrelated issues…

The bad streak for VW and Audi doesn’t stop there. Some of the same Audi Q5s have been recalled for an unrelated fault with the electric coolant pump which has been identified in 342,867 vehicles. The fault can cause the pumps to become blocked with debris from the cooling system, and if the cooling system doesn’t work, this may effectively increase the risk of fire if the pump overheats.

The recall for the coolant pump issue applies to Audi Q5s, Audi A5s and Audi A5 Cabriolets from model years 2013 to 2017; Audi Allroads and Audi A4s from model years 2013 to 2016; and Audi A6s from model years 2012 to 2015. All affected vehicles must be equipped with the 2-litre turbocharged FSI engines.

To rectify this issue, the German automaker has developed software that allows the pump’s power to be turned off if and when it becomes blocked.

Airbag and seat belt defect

There’s also a separate recall which is tied to defects in airbags and seat belts which reportedly affects 5,901 Audi and VW vehicles from model years 2017 and 2018.

All issues identified are high-risk issues and the failure to rectify these issues could well be fatal. Audi should notify all affected vehicle owners and complete repairs free of charge.