Audi Q5 recalled for Takata airbag fix

Audi has officially announced its preliminary plan to replace defective Takata airbags, in line with the industry-wide safety recall mandated by the federal government at the end of February.

The first model named is the Audi Q5 (pictured), built between 2009 and 2012, the importer has revealed. Owners of the Audi A5 Sportback (2009-2012), the Audi A5 Cabriolet (2010-2011) and the Audi A3 (2006-2013) will be contacted by the importer from the end of July to have the driver-side Takata airbags fitted in those vehicles replaced before the end of 2018.

After recall notices are issued for those vehicles, Audi will issue further notices for a host of other models in the local line-up, at the insistence of the ACCC (Australian Consumer and Competition Commission). A recall timetable for the vehicles affected can be viewed at this link.

The company plans to have all the affected vehicles repaired before the government-imposed deadline of December 31, 2020. Over 40,000 vehicles will be subject to recall.

"Our customers are our first priority, and, as a result of the Australian Government's mandatory recall of certain vehicles with frontal Takata airbag inflators, we will be conducting a staged recall of the affected vehicles between now and the end of 2020," said Audi spokesperson, Shaun Cleary.

"We will contact owners to let them know when they should visit a dealer to have their Takata airbag inflator replaced, free of charge."

Audi advises that owners can use an online VIN lookup tool to check whether their car is fitted with one or more of the deadly airbags, which have claimed one life in Australia to date, prompting the mandatory recall. No Audis sold in Australia are fitted with the 'alpha' airbags that are being replaced as a matter of urgency by other brands.

Audi invites owners seeking more information to contact the company's Takata Information Line on 1800 856 770, between 8.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday.

Vehicles currently or soon to be subject to the mandatory recall are as follows:
A4 Cabriolet from 2005-2008, driver airbag – 473
A3 from 2005-2013, driver airbag – 13,119
A5 Cabriolet from 2009-2011, driver airbag – 1,143
Q5 from 2008-2012, driver airbag – 9,244
A5 from 2009-2011, driver airbag – 2,172
TT from 2014-2017, driver airbag – 1,305
R8 from 2016-2017, driver airbag – 128
A4 from 2004-2009, passenger airbag – 8,345
A6 from 2004-2011, passenger airbag – 4,177