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

Why This Matters: Safety Risk

This recall addresses a significant safety concern related to specific Continental ProContact GX AO tires installed on certain Audi models. The design of these tires may lead to higher flexing in the tread shoulder, causing excessive heat buildup. This heat can result in belt edge separation, potentially leading to a partial or full loss of the tire tread.

Such a failure dramatically increases the risk of a crash, serious injury, or even death. Affected tires may also exhibit localized tread wear on the tread shoulders, excessive vibrations, and unusual noise before a complete failure occurs. This Audi A5 Continental tire recall is crucial for affected vehicle owners to address promptly.

What's Being Recalled

This safety recall, identified by campaign code 44CT, involves Continental ProContact GX AO tires, size 255/35 R19 96H XL, with Article Number 1557369 and DOT Number CP32 WMC9. Specifically, tires manufactured between the 19th week of 2021 and the 32nd week of 2024 (DOT Weeks "1921 - 3224") are affected.

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA) initiated this voluntary recall after discovering a non-compliance condition in these passenger tires. The issue stems from the tire's construction, which can compromise its structural integrity over time. The recall was originally published on September 13, 2024, for USA only, and later updated on September 20, 2024, to include the Canadian market and clarify identification procedures. Further clarification was provided on September 24, 2024.

How to Check if Your Vehicle is Affected

Continental will notify owners of affected vehicles. You can also contact your authorized Audi dealer to verify if your vehicle's VIN qualifies for repair under this action. Dealers use the Elsa system to confirm eligibility for recall campaign 44CT.

To visually check your tires, locate the DOT (Department of Transportation) serial number on the tire's sidewall. The last four digits of this number indicate the week and year of manufacture. For example, a DOT number ending in "3821" means the 38th week of 2021. If your tires are "Continental ProContact GX AO" with DOT Number "CP32 WMC9" and the last four digits fall within "1921 - 3224", they are subject to this Audi A5 Continental tire recall.

Manufacturer's Remedy

Audi dealers will inspect all four tires on affected vehicles. If any of the tires are identified as potentially defective, they will be replaced free of charge. This includes the cost of the new tire, mounting, balancing, and handling. The reimbursement for these services will be managed through the dealer's tire vendor, distributor, or a representative of the tire manufacturer.

For unsold vehicles in dealer inventory (Criteria K1), replacement tires must be the exact "Continental ProContact GX AO" model. For retail sold units (Criteria K2), substitute tire models are permitted, provided they meet the minimum requirements for the vehicle.

Important Warnings for Owners and Dealers

• Do Not Drive on Potentially Affected Tires: If you suspect your vehicle has affected tires, contact your dealer immediately for inspection and replacement to mitigate the risk of a crash.
• Dealer Delivery Prohibition: 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.
• No Charge for Tire Replacement: Owners should not be charged for the replacement of affected tires. Dealers are instructed with "DO NOT ENTER TIRES ON CLAIM" for the tire cost, as this is handled separately by the tire vendor.
• No Wash/Loaner Claim: Dealers are advised, "Do not claim wash/loaner under this action."

Repair Procedure Summary

Upon bringing your vehicle to an authorized Audi dealer for the Audi A5 Continental tire recall, the technician will perform the following steps:

1. VIN Verification: The technician will enter the vehicle's VIN into the Elsa system and navigate to the "Campaign/Action" screen to confirm that the campaign status for 44CT is "open." A printout of this screen will be kept with the repair order.
2. Tire Inspection: All four tires on the vehicle, as well as any associated tire sets (e.g., snow tires), must be inspected. The DOT number on the tire sidewall will be checked to determine if the tires fall within the affected manufacturing date range of "1921 - 3224." This may require lifting the vehicle to make the DOT number visible.
3. Tire Replacement (If Necessary): If tires are identified as affected, they will be replaced. For unsold vehicles (Criteria K1), the exact "Continental ProContact GX AO" model must be used. For sold vehicles (Criteria K2), substitute tires meeting minimum vehicle requirements are allowed.
4. Mounting and Balancing: New tires will be mounted and balanced according to dealership equipment and safety guidelines.
5. Inflation and Torque: Tires will be inflated to the pressures specified on the "Tire and Loading Information" label located on the B-pillar. Wheel bolts will be torqued to 120 Nm.
6. Campaign Completion: Once the repair is complete, the technician will stamp the repair order to confirm the campaign has been performed.

Warranty Claim Information

Dealers will process claims for recall 44CT using the following details:

• Service Number: 44CT
• Damage Code: 0099
• Parts Vendor Code: 002
• Claim Type: 7 10 for sold vehicles, 7 90 for unsold vehicles
• Causal Indicator: Mark labor as causal
• Criteria I.D.: K1 or K2

Two labor operations are available, both with 20 time units:

• Labor Op 01830099: For inspecting all four tires when no tires require replacement.
• Labor Op 44405099: For inspecting all four tires when one or more tires require replacement.

NHTSA ID: 24T-009