Vehicle recall 18V082000 · January 30, 2018
Audi A3, Q5 and 5 more models
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
- Notes
- 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 details
- NHTSA campaign
- 18V082000
- Reported to NHTSA
- January 30, 2018
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Manufacturer campaign
- 69R6
- Owner notification
- February 23, 2018
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 162,782
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Audi A3 (2006-2013): 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006
- Audi A4 Cabriolet (2007-2009): 2009, 2008, 2007
- Audi A5 Cabriolet (2010-2012): 2012, 2011, 2010
- Audi Q5 (2009-2012): 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009
- Audi RS 4 (2008): 2008
- Audi S4 Cabriolet (2009): 2009
- Audi S5 Cabriolet (2010-2012): 2012, 2011, 2010
Has your Audi been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Audi dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.