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

Why This Matters: Safety Risk

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA) has announced a voluntary safety recall, identified by code 44CT, for certain passenger tires. The affected tires have a design flaw that allows for excessive flexing in the tread shoulder, leading to heat buildup. This condition can cause a belt edge separation, potentially resulting in a partial or full loss of the tire's tread or belt.

Such tire failure significantly increases the risk of a crash, serious injury, or even death. Owners may also notice symptoms like localized tread wear on the tire shoulders, excessive vibrations, and unusual noise from the tires.

Important Warnings for Dealers and Owners

Federal law strictly regulates the sale and delivery of vehicles affected by safety recalls. For this Audi A5 Continental tire 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. Dealers must correct this prior to delivery.
• 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.

What's Being Recalled

This recall, designated by code 44CT, involves specific Continental ProContact GX AO tires. These tires were sold as original equipment, replacement tires, or were in dealer inventories for various Audi models. The affected tire details are:

• Product Line: Continental ProContact GX AO
• Size: 255/35 R19 96H XL
• Article Number: 1557369
• DOT Number: CP32 WMC9
• Affected DOT Weeks: 1921 - 3224 (last four digits of the DOT Number)

How to Check if Your Vehicle is Affected

Audi dealers use the campaign code 44CT to identify vehicles equipped with the affected tires. To determine if your 2022-2025 Audi A5, S4, or S5 is part of this Audi A5 Continental tire recall, you should contact an authorized Audi dealer. They can check your vehicle's VIN in their system (Elsa) to verify if it qualifies for this repair action. Ensure the campaign status shows "open" in Elsa.

Continental will begin notifying end consumers and car owners identified as having affected tires. You will be directed to contact your tire dealer or car dealer to schedule an appointment for inspection and replacement.

Manufacturer's Remedy

All tires subject to this recall will be replaced free of charge. The replacement process, including tire ordering, mounting, balancing, and handling of defective tires, will be managed through the dealer's tire vendor, distributor, or a representative of the tire manufacturer.

Repair Procedure Summary

Dealers will perform the following steps for the Audi A5 Continental tire recall:

1. Verify Campaign Status: Technicians must check the VIN in the Elsa system's "Campaign/Action" screen to confirm the campaign is open. A printout of this screen should be kept with the repair order.
2. Tire Inspection: All four tires on the vehicle, and any associated tire sets (e.g., snow tires), must be inspected. The DOT number on the tire sidewall will be used to identify affected tires. If the DOT number is not visible, the vehicle may need to be lifted.
3. Tire Replacement (if necessary): If affected tires are found, they will be replaced and balanced according to dealership tire changing equipment and safety guidelines. Tires must be inflated to the pressure specified on the vehicle's "Tire and Loading Information" label, and wheel bolts torqued to 120 Nm.

Vehicles with criteria K1 (unsold dealer inventory) must use the exact Continental ProContact GX AO tire model. Vehicles with criteria K2 (retail sold units) can use substitute tire models that meet minimum requirements.

Warranty and Claim Information

Dealers will submit claims using the following details:

• Service Number: 44CT
• Damage Code: 0099
• Parts Vendor Code: 002
• Claim Type: 7 10 (Sold vehicle), 7 90 (Unsold vehicle)
• Causal Indicator: Mark labor as causal
• Labor Operations:
  • 0183 00 99: 20 Time Units for inspecting all four tires, no replacement needed.
  • 4440 50 99: 20 Time Units for inspecting all four tires, with one or more replacements needed.

Note: Dealers are instructed "DO NOT ENTER TIRES ON CLAIM". Reimbursement for the tire, mounting, balancing, and handling will be managed by the tire vendor, distributor, or manufacturer's representative directly.

NHTSA ID: 24T-009