Audi Launches Three U.S. Recalls to Fix Airbags, Coolant Pumps

Audi AG is recalling 582,800 vehicles in three campaigns to address airbag and coolant pump defects.

The coolant pump recall targets 342,900 of the company’s 2-liter turbocharged engines. The group includes 2012-2015 model A6 large sedans; 2013-2016 model A4 sedans and Allroad wagons; 2013-2017 model A5 midsize sedans and cabriolets and Q5 midsize crossovers.

The pumps can become blocked by debris in the cooling system, then overheat and perhaps cause a fire under the hood, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Dealers will install software that turns off the pump’s power supply if the unit becomes clogged.

Audi also is calling back 234,100 of its Q5 crossovers—including some also involved in the cooling pump recall—to replace side curtain airbag inflators that could explode. The problem is caused by a flawed sunroof drainage system that can soak the foam that surrounds the inflator canister. If sufficient corrosion occurs, the damage can cause it to rupture when the device is activated in a crash.

NHTSA says Audi and parent Volkswagen AG also are recalling several 2016-2017 models to replace the driver’s frontal airbag and in some cases the seatbelt pretensioners system, which may not activate as they should. The campaign involves 2016 model Audi Q5 crossovers and 2017 mode Audi A4, A6 and A7 sedans, VW Golf hatchbacks and VW Tiguan SUVs.