Recalls

Audi Recalls 35,000 Cars in Canada to Fix Airbag Problem

by Guillaume Rivard
Photo: Audi Canada Inc.

Some of the most popular models from Volkswagen’s luxury brand have just been hit with a recall due to a problem with the airbag system. The list includes the 2017 Audi A4, 2018 A5, 2018-2019 RS 5, 2018 S4 and 2018 S5.

A total of 35,107 units are affected in Canada.

In some cases, the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction, which could cause the airbag system to turn off the passenger-front airbag even when a passenger is seated.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi says an error message will display on the instrument panel and a warning chime will sound whenever that happens. The airbag indicator light will also display "passenger airbag off".

Affected owners will be contacted by Audi in the coming weeks. Dealers will first inspect the front passenger seat. Depending on the seat type, they will replace either the seat heating mat (including the connecting cable) or the entire seat cover.

A similar recall on 26,000 Audi cars was announced back in August 2019. The remedy involved a software update to the airbag control module. It’s unclear how effective that solution proved to be.

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