by Audi Recalls Thousands of Cars Due to Safety Issue
Audi has initiated a recall of nearly 28,000 vehicles from the 2025 model year due to a defect in the rear seat belts. This issue may affect the proper installation of child seats, rendering these vehicles non-compliant with federal safety standards.
List of Models Affected by the Recall
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall affects a range of models, including:
The core of the problem is that the seat belt’s automatic locking mechanism may not function properly when installing a child seat using the vehicle’s seat belt.
Origin of the Defect and Its Discovery
The issue was identified by Audi in September during an internal audit. The investigation revealed that the automatic locking mechanism may not prevent excessive webbing payout after locking when used to secure a child seat. This additional slack means the seat may not be secured tightly enough, increasing the risk of injury.
The automatic locking mechanism may not engage when a child seat is installed using the seat belt.
Technical Cause of the Malfunction
The defect has been traced to the spring cassettes used in the seat belt assemblies, which may have been damaged during the production process. The cause is believed to be a loose or improperly installed pin, which can cause housing deformation and lead to the pawl failing to engage. Fortunately, only about 3% of the recalled vehicles are estimated to have this defect.
Plan to Rectify the Situation
Owner notifications are scheduled for mid-February. Dealerships will inspect the rear seat belt retractor mechanisms. If the seat belt webbing can be pulled out more than the allowable length after locking, the entire assembly will be replaced free of charge.
While the fix seems straightforward, the situation is complicated by the fact that, according to dealer instructions, these vehicles are under a stop-sale order, and replacement parts are currently unavailable.
Replacement parts are currently unavailable.
Inspection Procedure and Further Actions
Dealers are advised to perform the inspection and hold any vehicles found to have faulty seat belt assemblies. The inspection procedure itself is quite simple: a ruler is attached to the rear seat, and then the amount of belt payout is checked.
Recalls like this, especially those concerning passive safety systems, underscore the importance of stringent manufacturing controls. The fact that the problem was discovered during an internal audit indicates the company has quality monitoring systems in place. However, the delay in the availability of spare parts to remedy the defect may cause concern for new car owners who find themselves in a waiting situation. For parents who regularly transport children, this information is critically important, as it serves as a reminder to always check the secure installation of a child seat, regardless of the car’s make and model.
