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 for specific passenger tires, identified by Audi with recall code 44CT. The design of these tires can lead to higher flexing in the tread shoulder, causing excessive heat buildup. This condition may result in a belt edge separation, potentially leading to partial or full tread or belt loss. Such a failure significantly increases the risk of a crash, serious injury, or even death, making the Audi A5 tire recall 44CT a critical safety concern.

What's Being Recalled

This recall specifically involves 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 between DOT Weeks 1921 and 3224. These tires were sold as original equipment, replacement tires, or were in dealer inventories for various 2022-2025 Audi A5, S4, and S5 models.

Symptoms of Affected Tires

Owners of affected vehicles may notice several indicators that their tires are experiencing this issue. These can include localized tread wear in the tread shoulders, which might be visible upon inspection. Additionally, drivers might experience excessive vibrations or unusual noise coming from the tires. If you observe any of these symptoms, it's important to have your vehicle inspected promptly.

How to Check if Your Vehicle is Affected

Continental will begin notifying owners of affected vehicles. If you own a 2022-2025 Audi A5, S4, or S5, you can contact your authorized Audi dealer or tire dealer. They will be able to check your vehicle's VIN against the campaign database (ELSA) to verify if it qualifies for repair under recall 44CT. The NHTSA campaign number for this tire issue is 24T-009, and the Transport Canada campaign number is 2024-487.

Important Warnings for Owners and Dealers

Federal law strictly prohibits dealers from delivering any new motor vehicle or new/used motor vehicle equipment, including tires, that are subject to a safety recall until the defect has been remedied. This applies to both new and pre-owned vehicles in dealer inventory. Dealers must ensure that every affected inventory vehicle has this campaign completed before delivery to consumers.

Dealership personnel, including Sales, Service, Parts, and Accounting, are advised to be aware of this action and to contact Warranty with any questions. Furthermore, dealers are instructed not to claim wash/loaner services under this action.

Manufacturer's Remedy

For all vehicles identified under recall 44CT, an inspection of all four tires will be performed. If the tires are found to be affected by the non-compliance condition, they will be replaced free of charge. The cost of the new tires, mounting, balancing, and handling will be covered by the dealer's tire vendor, distributor, or the Representative of the Tire Manufacturer. The service number for this recall is 44CT, with a Damage Code of 0099 and Parts Vendor Code 002. Claim types are specified as "Sold vehicle: 7 10" and "Unsold vehicle: 7 90", with labor marked as causal.

Detailed Repair Procedure

Initial Check and Eligibility

Technicians must enter the vehicle's VIN into the Elsa system and navigate to the "Campaign/Action" screen. It is crucial to confirm that the campaign status shows "open." If Elsa indicates other open actions, the customer should be informed so that all necessary work can be completed during the same workshop visit. The Applicable Criteria ID (K1 or K2) must be noted to determine the correct work and associated parts. All available campaigns and actions must be performed in order of their start date, with the oldest performed first unless otherwise specified.

Tire Inspection

All four tires on the vehicle must be inspected. If the vehicle has multiple tire sets (e.g., snow tires), all sets must be inspected. The DOT number, which identifies the tire's manufacturing details, should be visible on the outside facing sidewall. If not, the vehicle may need to be lifted for inspection. Vehicles with criteria K1 must use the exact tire model Continental ProContact GX AO, while K2 (retail sold units) can use substitute tire models that meet minimum requirements.

Tire Replacement (if needed)

If tire replacement is required, the ordering of new tires, return of defective tires, and reimbursement for mounting and balancing will be handled directly through the dealer's tire vendor, distributor, or the Tire Manufacturer's Representative. Technicians must replace and balance the tires according to dealership tire changing equipment and safety guidelines. New tires must be inflated to the correct pressure as indicated on the vehicle's "Tire and Loading Information" label located on the B-pillar. Finally, wheel bolts must be torqued to 120 Nm.

Claim Entry and Reimbursement

For claim entry, the Service Number is 44CT, Damage Code is 0099, and Parts Vendor Code is 002. The Claim Type for sold vehicles is "7 10" and for unsold vehicles is "7 90". Labor is marked as causal. There are two primary labor operations: 0183 00 99 (20 Time Units) for inspecting all four tires when no replacement is needed, and 4440 50 99 (20 Time Units) for inspecting all four tires when one or more tires require replacement. It is critical to note: "DO NOT ENTER TIRES ON CLAIM"; reimbursement for tires, mounting, balancing, and handling is managed by the tire vendor, not through the claim system.

Removed Tire Handling and Completion

Information regarding the handling of replaced or removed tires should be obtained from the dealer's tire vendor, distributor, or the Tire Manufacturer's Representative. Once the campaign is completed, the technician must stamp the repair order. Stamps are available for ordering through the Compliance Label Ordering Portal.

NHTSA Source Citation

This information is based on NHTSA Document ID 10258525.