A German luxury automaker is putting thousands of American drivers at risk with faulty vehicles that could burst into flames without warning.
Volkswagen Group of America is recalling nearly 90,000 Audi SUVs because of improperly tightened screws that could cause dangerous oil leaks and trigger engine fires while families are on the road.
The company announced the pull of 89,417 Audi Q5 and Q5 Sportback vehicles from model years 2022 to 2024. It includes 78,313 regular Q5 models and 11,104 Q5 Sportback models.
These luxury vehicles, which typically cost American families over $45,000, suffer from a potentially deadly manufacturing defect that the company failed to address for months.
The problem stems from irregular tightening torque of cylinder head cover screws, which may loosen over time and cause oil leaks. When oil contacts hot engine components, it creates a serious fire hazard.
Since May 2023, Audi has received 2,539 warranty claims and 11 fire reports related to this defect, yet the company has delayed a full recall.
Despite receiving numerous reports of problems last year, Audi initially sent only a technical note to dealerships in January 2024.
After continued complaints and fire reports piled up, the company finally initiated this official recall.
Yet, owners will not be notified until July 8th to schedule inspections, leaving many Americans driving potentially dangerous vehicles without their knowledge.
While Audi claimed no injuries were reported, this is not the first time the German automaker has faced quality issues.
Investigations revealed that screws with burrs were damaging the sealing surface, leading to potential oil leaks and reduced torque.
The company advised owners to stop driving immediately if they notice smoke or unusual odors from the engine compartment.
Furthermore, vehicle safety experts pointed out that many Americans miss recall notices and may unknowingly continue driving dangerous vehicles.
This highlights the importance of a robust American manufacturing sector that prioritizes safety and quality control over foreign imports that may cut corners on crucial safety components.
Audi dealerships will provide free inspections and replace the cylinder head cover screws when the recall officially begins.
In the meantime, concerned vehicle owners can check if their vehicle is affected by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall page, entering their VIN, or calling Audi customer service.
The company is not currently facing legal action over this recall, but similar quality issues have led to class action lawsuits against Volkswagen and Audi in the past.
