Volkswagen has been forced to issue an urgent recall of 89,000 Audi vehicles in the United States. The reason is not minor, a defect could be causing oil leaks in the engine and a risk of fire. Audi Q5 and Q5 Sportback Quattro are the protagonists of this recall. Apparently, some cylinder head cover screws may have been improperly installed. What!?
And the worst part is that this defect had been reported by customers for a long time, and now, through an internal investigation, they discovered that metal burrs on the screws were damaging the sealing surface, and all of this compromised the system. Stay tuned to find out what’s happening with Audi and how to know if this recall affects you.
Which models are affected?
This recall affects:
- Audi Q5 Quattro (2022–2024)
- Audi Q5 Sportback Quattro (2022–2024)
Both models have the 2.0 TFSI engine and share the same cylinder cover design, which is why the recall adds up to more than 89,000 units just in the U.S.!
How do I know if my car is on the list?
Very easy, go to the official NHTSA website, or contact Audi’s customer service directly (1-800-253-2834). In both cases, you’ll need to enter your VIN (which is your vehicle’s identification number) to find out if this recall affects you or not.
What?
The official recall report was published last May 7. The main issue is that the screws lose torque over time, causing the engine to leak oil in the engine area. This combination can lead to smoke, fires, and even vehicle explosions.
Of course, Audi has warned to pay attention to strange smells, presence of smoke, or oil stains. If any of these symptoms are detected, you should go immediately to an authorized repair shop or dealership to fix the issue.
How much will the repair cost?
For users, nothing. Volkswagen has confirmed that the repair will be completely free of charge. Audi dealers will inspect and replace the defective screws after sending out official notifications starting July 8.
Why is Volkswagen handling it if it’s an Audi recall?
It may seem like they’re different companies, but Volkswagen is the parent company, and under its umbrella are brands like Audi, Porsche, Seat, Skoda, and Lamborghini.
That’s why, when there’s a manufacturing problem, the logistics coordinating the process come from Volkswagen, even if it carries another brand’s logo.
Is this Audi’s first recall?
Of course not, but this adds to a list of problems Audi has had to deal with in the past. In 2023 they had to respond to battery failures in some of their electric models, which ended in a class-action lawsuit for not informing properly… This time it seems they’ve learned the lesson and want to act as soon as possible to improve their image with customers.
Will there be an impact on Audi’s image?
Let’s hope not, although almost as a rule, every time a recall is issued, something breaks inside consumers: trust. Audi is also a luxury brand, so people who buy an Audi expect higher safety standards in their vehicles…
For now, it’s clear that the most important thing for any brand is to ensure user safety, and Audi has managed to act quickly to fix this defect. If you own an Audi with these characteristics, don’t hesitate to take it in for inspection so they can fix the problem, better safe than sorry!