2009-2011 Audi A6 Airbag Inflator Recall 18V004000

Why This Matters

This recall addresses a critical safety concern involving the passenger frontal airbag inflator. In the event of a crash requiring airbag deployment, the inflator may explode. This explosion can cause sharp metal fragments to strike vehicle occupants, potentially leading to serious injury or even death.

What's Being Recalled

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan, and S6 Sedan vehicles, as well as certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet vehicles. The affected component is the AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. These vehicles are equipped with specific airbag inflators that may degrade over time due to long-term exposure to humidity and temperature fluctuations. This propellant degradation is the root cause of the potential explosion.

How to Check if Your Vehicle is Affected

The recall, identified by NHTSA ID 18V004000 and Audi's internal number 69U1, impacts vehicles based on their registration location. Specifically, the 2011 Audi A6 recall applies to:

• Zone B: 2010-2011 Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan, and S6 Sedan vehicles ever registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
• Zone C: Unless already included in Zone B, 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet vehicles, and 2009-2011 Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan, and S6 Sedan vehicles registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Owners can contact Audi customer service or visit the NHTSA website to check if their specific VIN is included in this 2011 Audi A6 recall.

Manufacturer's Remedy

Audi will notify owners of affected vehicles. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator free of charge. An interim owner notification was mailed on March 2, 2018. Once the necessary parts become available, Audi will send a second notification, and the repair will be performed. The recall repair was expected to begin in June 2018. Owners can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 for more information.

It is important to note that this recall (18V004000) has been superseded by NHTSA recall 18V427. Owners should ensure they receive the most current information regarding the repair.

Important Warnings

This recall is a critical safety measure. If you own an affected vehicle, it is crucial to have the repair completed as soon as possible to mitigate the risk of serious injury or death due to an airbag inflator explosion.

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Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Recall ID: 18V004000