2022-2025 Audi A5/S4/S5 Continental Tire Recall 44CT

Why This Matters: Safety Risk

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA) has initiated a voluntary safety recall, identified by code 44CT, for certain passenger tires. The design of these tires can lead to higher flexing in the tread shoulder, which causes heat to build up. This excessive heat can result in a belt edge separation.

If a belt edge separation occurs, the tires may experience partial or full tread/belt loss. This condition significantly increases the risk of a crash, serious injury, or even death. Owners might also notice localized tread wear on the shoulders, excessive vibrations, and noise from the affected tires.

What's Being Recalled

This recall, 44CT, specifically targets Continental ProContact GX AO tires, size 255/35 R19 96H XL, with Article Number 1557369 and DOT Number CP32 WMC9. The affected tires were manufactured during DOT Weeks 1921 through 3224. These tires were sold as original equipment, replacement tires, or were in dealer inventories.

Audi has applied the code 44CT to help dealers identify vehicles produced with these specific tires. The recall affects various 2022-2025 Audi A5, S4, and S5 models, including A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and S5 Sportback variants.

How to Check if Your Vehicle is Affected

To determine if your 2022-2025 Audi A5, S4, or S5 is part of this Audi A5 Continental tire recall, you should contact your authorized Audi dealer. Dealers can verify if your vehicle's VIN qualifies for repair under campaign 44CT by checking the Campaigns/Actions screen in Elsa. This system is the only valid source for campaign inquiry and verification.

Manufacturer's Remedy

If your vehicle is identified as having affected tires under recall 44CT, Continental will notify you to schedule an appointment with your tire dealer or car dealer for inspection. The inspection and any necessary tire replacements will be performed free of charge.

For new, unsold vehicles (Criteria K1), the exact tire model, Continental ProContact GX AO, must be used for replacement. For retail-sold units (Criteria K2), substitute tire models are permitted as long as they meet the minimum requirements for the vehicle.

Important Warnings for Owners and Dealers

Owners should be aware of critical information regarding this safety recall:

• New Vehicles in Dealer Inventory: "It is a violation of federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification under a sale or lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied. By law, dealers must correct, prior to delivery for sale or lease, any vehicle that fails to comply with an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard or that contains a defect relating to motor vehicle safety."
• Pre-Owned Vehicles in Dealer Inventory: "Dealers should not deliver any pre-owned vehicles in their inventory which are involved in a safety or compliance recall until the defect has been remedied."
• "Dealers must ensure that every affected inventory vehicle has this campaign completed before delivery to consumers."

Repair Procedure Summary

Dealers will follow a specific procedure for the Audi A5 Continental tire recall 44CT:

1. Vehicle Check: The VIN will be entered into the Elsa system to confirm the campaign status is 'open'.
2. Tire Inspection: All four tires on the vehicle must be inspected. If the customer has a second set of tires (e.g., snow tires), those should also be brought in for inspection.
3. DOT Number Verification: The DOT number on the tire's outside sidewall will be checked to identify affected tires. The affected tire model is Continental ProContact GX AO, size 255/35 R19 96H XL, Article Number 1557369, DOT Number CP32 WMC9, and DOT Weeks 1921-3224.
4. Tire Replacement (if necessary): If tires require replacement, the dealer's tire vendor or distributor will handle the ordering, return of defective tires, and reimbursement for mounting and balancing.
5. Installation: Replaced tires will be balanced and inflated according to the vehicle's "Tire and Loading Information" label. Wheel bolts will be torqued to 120 Nm.

Owner Action

If you own a 2022-2025 Audi A5, S4, or S5, and believe your vehicle may be equipped with the affected Continental ProContact GX AO tires, it is crucial to contact your authorized Audi dealer immediately. They will arrange for a free inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the tires under recall 44CT. Continental will be notifying owners directly.

For additional information, you can contact Continental Tire at 1-888-799-2168 (USA) or 1-855-453-1962 (Canada). You can also visit https://tinyurl.com/continentaltire for USA-specific information, or www.continentaltire.ca for Canada. The NHTSA recall number is 24T-009, and the Transport Canada number is 2024-487.

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Source: NHTSA ID 11009210