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. These tires were installed on various 2022-2025 Audi A5, S4, and S5 models as original equipment, or sold as replacement tires. This Audi Continental tire recall addresses a critical safety concern that could lead to serious incidents.

Why This Matters

The affected Continental ProContact GX AO tires have a design flaw that allows for excessive flexing in the tread shoulder. This increased flexing can cause heat buildup within the tire structure. Over time and with continued use, this heat buildup can lead to a belt edge separation, where the tire's internal belts begin to detach. This separation can result in a partial or full loss of the tire tread, significantly increasing the risk of a vehicle crash, serious injury, or even death.

Owners might notice symptoms such as localized tread wear on the tire shoulders, excessive vibrations, or unusual noise before a complete failure occurs.

What's Being Recalled

This recall, designated by Audi with code 44CT and by NHTSA as 24T-009, involves specific Continental ProContact GX AO tires, size 255/35 R19 96H XL, with Article Number 1557369. The affected tires can be identified by their DOT (Department of Transportation) number, specifically those with a DOT Number of CP32 WMC9 and a DOT Week range between 1921 and 3224. This range corresponds to tires manufactured from the 19th week of 2021 through the 32nd week of 2024.

These tires were supplied as original equipment on numerous Audi vehicles, sold as replacement tires, or were part of dealer inventories. The recall applies to approximately 30,531 vehicles in the USA and 2,989 vehicles in Canada.

How to Check if Your Vehicle is Affected

Continental applied recall code 44CT to affected vehicles on September 11, 2024. Continental Tire the Americas, LLC will begin notifying owners of potentially affected vehicles. If you own a 2022-2025 Audi A5, S4, or S5, you should contact your authorized Audi dealer or tire dealer to schedule an appointment for inspection. Dealers will verify if your vehicle's tires fall within the affected production range using the VIN and the tire's DOT number.

Manufacturer's Remedy

For vehicles identified with affected tires, an authorized Audi dealer or tire dealer will inspect all four tires. If any of the tires are found to be within the affected range, they will be replaced free of charge. The replacement, mounting, and balancing of the tires will be handled by the dealer's tire vendor, distributor, or a representative of the tire manufacturer.

Important Warnings for Owners and Dealers

Owners should be aware of the potential for tire failure and contact their dealer promptly. For dealers, there are strict legal obligations regarding 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 is remedied.
• Pre-Owned Vehicles in Dealer Inventory: Dealers should not deliver any pre-owned vehicles in their inventory 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 process for this Audi Continental tire recall involves several key steps performed by the dealer:

1. Check Campaign Status: Technicians will enter the vehicle's VIN into the Audi Elsa system to confirm that the 44CT campaign is open for the specific vehicle and to identify the applicable criteria ID (K1 for unsold vehicles, K2 for sold vehicles).
2. Tire Inspection: All four tires on the vehicle, and any other tire sets (e.g., snow tires) associated with the vehicle, must be inspected. The DOT number, visible on the tire's sidewall, will be checked to confirm if it falls within the affected production range (DOT Weeks 1921-3224).
3. Tire Replacement (If Necessary): If affected tires are identified, they will be replaced. For K1 vehicles (unsold), the exact original tire model (Continental ProContact GX AO) must be used. For K2 vehicles (sold), substitute tire models meeting minimum requirements are permitted.
4. Balancing and Inflation: Replaced tires will be balanced and inflated to the specifications found on the vehicle's B-pillar "Tire and Loading Information" label.
5. Wheel Bolt Torque: Wheel bolts will be torqued to 120 Nm.
6. Documentation: The repair order will be stamped upon completion of the campaign.

Required Tools or Parts

No special tools are explicitly mentioned beyond standard tire changing and balancing equipment. The primary parts involved are the replacement Continental ProContact GX AO tires or approved substitutes. The original Article Number for the affected tire is 1557369.

Source: NHTSA ID: 11009301