Defective Crash Sensor Leads To Recall Of Certain 2021 Audi A6 Allroad, RS6, RS7 And Q7 Models

Audi is recalling a handful of vehicles in the United States over a defective part that could affect the proper functioning of the restraint systems.

There are only 166 2021MY vehicles involved in this safety campaign, including the A6 Allroad, RS6 Avant, RS7 Sportback and Q7, which were made this summer between July and August and have a 5 percent estimated defect rate.

Watch Also: 2020 Audi RS6 Avant Review – One Car To Rule Them All?

The recall was issued due to the electrical connector that can detach from the front door crash sensor on both sides of the car. If this happens, then the side and curtain airbags might have a delayed activation, and the seatbelt pretensioner could also fail. As a result, the occupants would be exposed to an increased risk of injury in the event of a side impact.

“Due to a temporary fault (approximately 6 hours) in the die-cast process at the sub-supplier (Continental was the component manufacturer), the cast of the sensor housings may not have been fully molded, causing imperfection in the locking geometry”, the NHTSA explained in the ‘Description of the Cause’. “This error was not detected immediately because there was no permanent and automated monitoring process.” Meanwhile, the sub-supplier has implemented a monitoring system for the process to avoid similar issues in the future.

Authorized technicians will check the crash sensors in the front doors of the vehicles included in this recall and, if required, they will replace them free of charge. The planned owner notification has been scheduled for January 2021, and the recall is expected to commence at the end of next month.

Audi A6 Allroad pictured above