Recall 18V082000
NHTSA safety recall campaign 18V082000. Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 162,782 units potentially affected.
Risk Summary (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.
Defect 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.
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.
Key Dates
Affected Vehicles
Other VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC. Recalls
Recent campaigns from the same manufacturer (last 3 years)
Recent VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC. Recalls
| Campaign | Report Date | Component | Makes | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V185000 | Mar 25, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | VOLKSWAGEN | 75,323 |
| 26V138000 | Mar 11, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | VOLKSWAGEN | 48,165 |
| 26V125000 | Mar 4, 2026 | LANE DEPARTURE | AUDI | 1,620 |
| 26V028000 | Jan 21, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY | VOLKSWAGEN | 670 |
| 26V030000 | Jan 21, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY | VOLKSWAGEN | 43,881 |
| 25V899000 | Dec 19, 2025 | SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR | AUDI | 27,768 |
| 25V900000 | Dec 19, 2025 | BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA | AUDI | 356,894 |
| 25V854000 | Dec 10, 2025 | AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER | VOLKSWAGEN | 3,138 |
| 25V835000 | Dec 3, 2025 | WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | VOLKSWAGEN | 27 |
| 25V836000 | Dec 3, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY | VOLKSWAGEN | 629 |
Related NHTSA Investigations
Investigations opened by ODI covering the same manufacturer or make (AUDI) in the last 3 years
4 Investigations
| Investigation | Opened | Closed | Status | Vehicle | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA24004 | Dec 18, 2024 | Unknown | OPEN | 2019 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking |
| RQ24010 | May 16, 2024 | Nov 4, 2024 | CLOSED | 2021 VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | Inadvertent Door Opening |
| RQ23007 | Dec 12, 2023 | Jul 1, 2024 | CLOSED | 2015 AUDI A3 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness… |
| PE23017 | Sep 28, 2023 | Dec 18, 2024 | CLOSED | 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking |
Consumer Complaints Referencing This Campaign
NHTSA complaints whose narratives mention 18V082000
Referencing Complaints
| Complaint ID | Incident Date | Vehicle | Component | Narrative Snippet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020565 | Aug 28, 2024 | 2006 AUDI A3 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2006 Audi A3. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warnin… |
| 1560942 | Apr 24, 2019 | 2007 AUDI A3 | AIR BAGS | TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED FOR NHTSA CAMPA… |
| 1538875 | Feb 1, 2019 | 2011 AUDI Q5 | AIR BAGS | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAG… |
| 1536506 | Feb 1, 2019 | 2011 AUDI A3 | AIR BAGS | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). T… |
| 1522615 | Dec 10, 2018 | 2010 AUDI A5 | AIR BAGS | TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V08200… |
| 1507003 | Oct 16, 2018 | 2007 AUDI A4 | AIR BAGS | TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V08200… |
| 1506915 | Oct 16, 2018 | 2008 AUDI A4 | AIR BAGS | TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V08200… |
| 1506714 | Oct 15, 2018 | 2006 AUDI A3 | AIR BAGS | TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V08200… |
| 1530027 | Oct 9, 2018 | 2012 AUDI Q5 | AIR BAGS | TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V08200… |
| 1507121 | Oct 1, 2018 | 2007 AUDI A3 | AIR BAGS | TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V08200… |
How to Act on This Recall
- Owners: Contact your authorized dealer to schedule the remedy at no cost. Remedy is covered under 49 U.S.C. 30120.
- Fleets: Use the Fleet Recall Checker to scan your VIN list against this and other open campaigns.
- Looking up a specific VIN? Check VIN against NHTSA for open recalls on that vehicle.
- NHTSA contact: Vehicle Safety Hotline 1-888-327-4236.