Driver's frontal air bag inflator may rupture
Defect Summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 audi a3, 2007-2009 a4 cabriolet and s4 cabriolet, 2008 rs4 cabriolet, 2009-2012 q5, and 2010-2012 audi a5 cabriolet and s5 cabriolet vehicles. upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Safety Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Corrective Action
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. the recall began february 23, 2018. owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. volkswagen's number for this recall is 69r6. note: this recall partially supersedes recall 16v-078.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. or involving Air Bags.
FAQ: Recall 18V082000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 18V082000?
NHTSA recall 18V082000 was issued by Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. on January 30, 2018. It addresses: Driver's frontal air bag inflator may rupture. The recall affects approximately 162,782 vehicles, with the defect involving the Air Bags component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 18V082000 or the manufacturer campaign number 69R6. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.