Audi is recalling over a million cars: Airbag problems with several models

10/11/2025

First published 23. 2. 2023, last update 10. 11. 2025 – see below.
Audi recalls several models to the workshops. The reason is a fault in the front airbags. Metal fragments that may become detached could injure the occupants.

A current Audi recall due to problems with the driver and passenger airbag covers 1,145,364 older vehicles worldwide. The reason is a fault in the airbag’s gas generator. This can cause uncontrolled inflation in the event of an airbag deployment. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority warns that metal fragments detaching from the airbag could injure the occupants.

The following model series are affected:
– Audi A4, RS4, A6 and RS6 from the production period 2005 to 2011 – 824.891 units
– Audi A5 and Q5, built from 2008 to 2012 – 295.900 units
– Audi R8 and TT, built from 2013 to 2017 – 24.573 units

Update 10. 11. 2025
In November 2025, an update to this recall appeared in the KBA database for another 8,382 vehicles of the R8 and TT series produced in 2014. Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) monitors the recall under the reference number „15590R“. The internal manufacturer code is „69ER“.

As a remedial measure, the corresponding airbag module is replaced in the workshop with a new one with a different propellant. The internal codes are as follows: The A4, RS4, A6 and RS6 models (code “69EQ”, KBA 012491), the A5 and Q5 (code “69EP”, KBA 012488) and the R8 and TT models (code “69ER”, KBA 012489).

Recall details

Make:	Audi
Model:	A4, A5, A6, RS4, RS6, R8, TT, Q5
Year of manufacture:	2005 – 2017
Production:	2005 – 2017
Extent:	1,145,364
Code:	69EP, 69ER, 69EQ

Source: KBA 012488, 012489, 012491

Do you know the year your car was made? You most probably don’t

Audi recalls in Rapex

This notification is purely informative for the vehicle type you have selected. As these deficiencies often relate to specific components (engine type, bodywork, equipment), the recall may not apply to all vehicles of this type. For more detailed information on possible recalls for your vehicle, please contact an authorised workshop (see below at “What the owner should do?”).

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What should an owner do if there's a recall?

Please note that the recall may not apply to all vehicles produced in a given period. If you think your car might be affected, you should immediately contact a dealer or workshop officially authorised to perform repairs on behalf of the manufacturer and ask for the details. You can use our sample request text. After reporting the vehicle's VIN code, you will find out if the defect is present on your car, or if it has already been resolved by the previous owner if the car was purchased second-hand.