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

Why This Matters: Safety Risk

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA) has announced a safety recall, identified by code 44CT, for specific passenger tires. The design of these tires allows for higher flexing in the tread shoulder, which can cause excessive heat buildup. This condition may lead to a belt edge separation, potentially resulting in a partial or full loss of the tire tread or belt.

Such a failure significantly increases the risk of a crash, serious injury, or even death. Owners might notice symptoms like localized tread wear on the tire shoulders, excessive vibrations, or unusual noise before a complete failure occurs. This Audi A5 tire recall 44CT addresses a critical safety concern.

What's Being Recalled

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

How to Check if Your Vehicle is Affected

The Continental Tire Safety Recall 44CT applies to certain 2022-2025 Audi A5, S4, and S5 models. To determine if your specific vehicle is included in this recall, an authorized Audi dealer can check your vehicle's VIN in the Elsa system. The campaign status for your VIN must show "open" for the repair to be performed.

Manufacturer's Remedy

All tires identified as affected by this recall will be replaced free of charge. This includes the cost of the new tire, mounting, balancing, and handling. The tire ordering and reimbursement process will be managed through the dealer's tire vendor, distributor, or a representative of the tire manufacturer.

Important Warnings for Owners

Owners should be aware of critical restrictions related to this recall:

• "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." This means new or pre-owned vehicles with affected tires cannot be sold or leased until the recall repair is completed.
• "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

The repair procedure for the Audi A5 tire recall 44CT involves several key steps performed by an authorized dealer:

1. VIN Verification: The dealer will first check the vehicle's VIN in the Elsa system to confirm that the campaign is open and applicable.
2. Tire Inspection: All four tires on the vehicle, as well as any associated tire sets (e.g., winter tires), must be inspected. The DOT number on the tire sidewall will be used to identify affected tires.
3. Tire Replacement: If affected tires are found, they will be replaced with new, compliant Continental ProContact GX AO tires or approved substitute models for retail sold units.
4. Balancing and Inflation: The new tires will be balanced according to dealership procedures and inflated to the correct pressure as specified on the vehicle's "Tire and Loading Information" label.
5. Wheel Bolt Torque: Wheel bolts will be torqued to 120 Nm.
6. Removed Tire Handling: Removed tires will be handled according to the dealer's tire vendor instructions.

Dealers will use specific labor operations for this recall: 0183 00 99 for inspection without replacement, and 4440 50 99 for inspection with one or more tire replacements.

Required Parts and Identification

The primary part involved is the Continental ProContact GX AO tire, size 255/35 R19 96H XL, Article Number 1557369. Technicians will use the DOT Serial Number, specifically the manufacturer's plant code (CP32 WMC9) and the week/year of manufacture (1921-3224) to identify affected tires. Tire ordering and reimbursement for replacement tires will be managed through the dealer's designated tire vendor.

Owner Action

If you own a 2022-2025 Audi A5, S4, or S5, and suspect your vehicle might have the affected Continental ProContact GX AO tires, you should contact your authorized Audi dealer or tire dealer immediately. They will arrange for an inspection and, if necessary, the free replacement of any recalled tires. Continental will be notifying affected owners directly.

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Source: NHTSA ID 11009237