A recall has also been issued affecting 2012-2018 models sold in the US.
Audi has suspended sales of A6 and A7 models equipped with certain seats in the US because of a defective sensor. A recall for the two luxury sedans has also been actioned affecting models built from 2012 to 2018. According to Automotive News, the sensor mat in front of the passenger seat in these models, which is designed to detect whether the passenger seat is occupied, could malfunction and prevent the airbag from deploying in a crash.
An Audi spokesman confirmed 139,249 A6s and A7s built between January 2011 and April 2018
equipped with standard or Super Sport seats are affected by the issue. Luckily,
no deaths or injuries have been reported as a result of the defect, but Audi
doesn’t have a fix available yet. Audi A6 and A7 models sold outside the US are not affected.
If you own a 2012-2018 A6 or A7 in the US, there’s a simple way to tell if
your car has been fitted with a defective sensor. If the indicator light showing
that the passenger-side airbags are not armed activates when the front passenger
seat is occupied, this means the sensor is faulty.
If that’s the case, Audi advises customers to stop using the seat immediately
and contact their local dealership. It’s otherwise safe to drive your A6 or A7 until it can be inspected or repaired, though.
This isn’t the first time the A6 has been recalled because of a potential
safety hazard. Last year, around 583,000 A6 models built between 2012 and 2015 and powered
by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine were recalled because
there was a possibility the electric coolant pump could overheat and cause a
fire.
Audi has suspended sales of A6 and A7 models equipped with certain seats in the US because of a defective sensor. A recall for the two luxury sedans has also been actioned affecting models built from 2012 to 2018. According to Automotive News, the sensor mat in front of the passenger seat in these models, which is designed to detect whether the passenger seat is occupied, could malfunction and prevent the airbag from deploying in a crash.
An Audi spokesman confirmed 139,249 A6s and A7s built between January 2011 and April 2018
equipped with standard or Super Sport seats are affected by the issue. Luckily,
no deaths or injuries have been reported as a result of the defect, but Audi
doesn’t have a fix available yet. Audi A6 and A7 models sold outside the US are not affected.
If you own a 2012-2018 A6 or A7 in the US, there’s a simple way to tell if
your car has been fitted with a defective sensor. If the indicator light showing
that the passenger-side airbags are not armed activates when the front passenger
seat is occupied, this means the sensor is faulty.
If that’s the case, Audi advises customers to stop using the seat immediately
and contact their local dealership. It’s otherwise safe to drive your A6 or A7 until it can be inspected or repaired, though.
This isn’t the first time the A6 has been recalled because of a potential
safety hazard. Last year, around 583,000 A6 models built between 2012 and 2015 and powered
by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine were recalled because
there was a possibility the electric coolant pump could overheat and cause a
fire.