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

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA) has announced a voluntary safety recall, identified by code 44CT, affecting certain Continental ProContact GX AO tires. This recall impacts various 2022-2025 Audi A5, S4, and S5 models. The issue stems from a non-compliance condition in the tire design that could compromise vehicle safety.

Why This Matters: Safety Risk

The affected tires were designed in a way that allows for higher flexing in the tread shoulder. This increased flexing can lead to heat buildup within the tire, potentially causing a belt edge separation. If this separation occurs, the tire could experience partial or full tread/belt loss. Such an event significantly increases the risk of a crash, which could result in serious injury or even death.

Owners might notice symptoms such as "localized tread wear in the tread shoulders" or experience "excessive vibrations and noise" if their tires are affected.

What's Being Recalled

This recall, designated as 44CT, involves specific Continental ProContact GX AO tires. These tires, with size 255/35 R19 96H XL and Article Number 1557369, have a DOT Number of CP32 WMC9. The affected production range for these tires is identified by the last four digits of the DOT Number, specifically DOT Weeks 1921 - 3224, which corresponds to the 19th week of 2021 through the 32nd week of 2024.

These tires may have been installed as original equipment on new vehicles, sold as replacement tires, or held in dealer inventories. The recall applies to various 2022-2025 Audi A5, S4, and S5 models.

How to Check if Your Vehicle is Affected

To determine if your Audi A5, S4, or S5 is part of this safety recall 44CT, you should first check the tires installed on your vehicle. Look for the specific tire model, size, and DOT number details mentioned above. The DOT number is typically found on the tire's sidewall. The last four digits of the DOT number indicate the week and year of manufacture (e.g., '1921' means the 19th week of 2021).

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA) will begin notifying affected consumers. You can also contact Continental Tire directly at 1-888-799-2168 (USA) or 1-855-453-1962 (Canada) for more information. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 24T-009.

Important Warnings for Owners and Dealers

Owners should be aware of critical restrictions and requirements related to this 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." This means new vehicles with affected tires cannot be sold or leased until the recall repair is completed.
• 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."
• Dealer Responsibility: "Dealers must ensure that every affected inventory vehicle has this campaign completed before delivery to consumers."
• Claim Entry: Dealers are instructed, "DO NOT ENTER TIRES ON CLAIM:" if a tire requires replacement. Reimbursement for replacement tires, mounting, balancing, and handling will be managed directly through the dealer's tire vendor, distributor, or a representative of the tire manufacturer.

Manufacturer's Remedy

Audi has applied internal code 44CT to help dealers identify vehicles produced with the affected tires. Vehicles identified with potentially affected tires will undergo an inspection. If the tires are found to be within the affected range and exhibit the non-compliance condition, they will be replaced free of charge to the owner.

Continental will direct owners to contact their tire dealer or car dealer to schedule an appointment for this inspection and, if necessary, replacement. The repair process is covered under warranty.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair process for the Audi A5 tire recall 44CT involves several key steps for technicians:

1. Verify VIN: Technicians must enter the vehicle's VIN into the Elsa system to check the campaign status. The campaign must show as "open" for the vehicle to qualify for the repair.
2. Tire Inspection: All four tires on the vehicle, and any additional tire sets (e.g., snow tires) associated with the vehicle, must be inspected. Technicians will visually confirm the tire's product line, size, DOT number, and manufacturing date range (DOT Weeks 1921 - 3224).
3. Tire Replacement (If Necessary): If affected tires are identified, they will be replaced. For unsold vehicles (Criteria K1), the exact tire model "Continental ProContact GX AO" must be used. For retail sold units (Criteria K2), substitute tire models meeting minimum requirements are allowed.
4. Mounting and Balancing: New tires will be mounted and balanced according to dealership tire changing equipment and safety guidelines.
5. Inflation and Torque: Tires will be inflated to the specifications found on the vehicle's "Tire and Loading Information" label (typically on the B-pillar). Wheel bolts will then be torqued to 120 Nm.
6. Documentation: Upon completion, the repair order will be stamped to confirm the campaign has been performed.

Owner Action

If you own a 2022-2025 Audi A5, S4, or S5, and suspect your vehicle may be equipped with the affected Continental ProContact GX AO tires, it is important to act promptly. Continental Tire will notify affected owners directly. Once notified, or if you wish to proactively check, contact your authorized Audi dealer or a Continental Tire dealer to schedule an inspection. The inspection and any necessary tire replacements will be performed free of charge.

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Source: NHTSA ID 11009241