2009–2011 Audi A4 Cabriolet and 3 other Audi models: air bags recall
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
What was reported
Source: manufacturer filing, 49 CFR Part 573Reported to NHTSA Jan 4, 2018 by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc, owners notified Jun 29, 2018.
What that means, in plain English
Source: WhichTrim's reading of the filing above — not NHTSA's wordingTakata-type inflator explosion can propel metal fragments into occupants, causing serious injury or death — a direct, unwarned loss of occupant safety with lethal potential.
Written for us by a language model from the manufacturer's filed text, which is quoted in full above. Where the two differ, the filing is the record and this is only our summary of it.
Which vehicles are covered
Source: NHTSA campaign 18V004000Vehicles built Oct 10, 2008 to Mar 23, 2011 — a VIN outside that window is not part of this campaign even if the year, make and model match.
| Model year | On WhichTrim |
|---|---|
| 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet | every Audi on this site |
| 2009 Audi A6 | every Audi on this site |
| 2010 Audi A6 | every Audi on this site |
| 2011 Audi A6 | every Audi on this site |
| 2009 Audi S4 Cabriolet | every Audi on this site |
| 2009 Audi S6 | every Audi on this site |
| 2010 Audi S6 | every Audi on this site |
| 2011 Audi S6 | every Audi on this site |
None of the vehicles this campaign names has a page on WhichTrim: every model year it names is older than the catalogue, which begins at 2016. The campaign record above is complete as filed, and whether one specific vehicle is included is settled by its VIN. Other campaigns on vehicles without a page here →
The federal paperwork
Source: nhtsa.govFiled documents
NHTSA has not published the scanned filings for this campaign, or has not published them yet. The campaign record itself is on their site.
Check one specific vehicle
A recall applies to a build range, so year, make and model cannot settle it. Type the VIN and the WhichTrim recall report checks this campaign’s build window and engine against it.
Campaign 18V004000 · the manufacturer calls it 69U1
Own one, or run a fleet? Recall Watch checks each VIN against every new NHTSA campaign and emails you when one lands, this one's expansions included. Or take a free one-line alert by model year.
NHTSA’s investigation file links this recall to engineering analysis EA15001.
A recall covers a build range. Only your VIN settles it.
Check it with the WhichTrim recall report now, or have us check it every night and email you when something new is filed.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573Is 69U1 the same recall as 18V004000?
Yes. 69U1 is the number Volkswagen Group of America, Inc uses for this campaign in its own paperwork and in the letter it sends owners. 18V004000 is the number NHTSA files it under. One recall, two references — dealers and service departments generally quote the manufacturer's.
Does this recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to remedy a safety defect or a compliance failure at no charge, for vehicles up to 15 years old measured from the date of first sale. A dealer that asks you to pay for a recall repair is in the wrong.
How do I know whether my vehicle is included?
By VIN, not by model year. This campaign covers vehicles built Oct 10, 2008 to Mar 23, 2011. The manufacturer files a build range with NHTSA and only vehicles inside it are covered, so two identical-looking cars from the same year can differ. NHTSA's own lookup checks a VIN against the manufacturer's list.
What if the repair is not available yet?
It happens, and often. Manufacturers must notify owners when a defect is found even if the parts or the software are not ready, then notify them a second time once the remedy exists. This campaign was filed without a repair available — Volkswagen Group of America, Inc says so in the text above.
What did the manufacturer say was wrong?
The problem, risk and fix quoted on this page are the manufacturer's own words as filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR Part 573. WhichTrim does not paraphrase them.
Who started this recall?
NHTSA's record credits NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA’s investigation file links this recall to engineering analysis EA15001. A recall can begin with the manufacturer's own testing, with a defect investigation, or with a compliance test against a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.