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Audi Q7 passenger airbag may deploy too fast for children

NHTSA campaign 21V078000 · Reported 2021-02-17 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

medium How serious is it? About this label

The problem only matters in a crash, and mainly for an unbelted child in the front passenger seat; the notice does not tell owners to stop driving, so keep the software update on your list and keep children properly buckled — ideally in the back seat.

What's wrong, in plain English

Some 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles have a problem with the computer that controls the airbags. The front passenger airbag inflates in two stages. If an unbelted child is sitting in that seat, the second stage can fire too soon after the first one. That means in a crash where the passenger airbag goes off, a child in the front seat could be hurt by the airbag itself. Because of this, the vehicles don't meet the federal safety rule for crash protection. Dealers will update the airbag computer free of charge.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your Q7 is affected. 2. Call your Audi dealer about recall 69BV, or reach Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. 3. Have the dealer update the airbag control computer — the update is free.

Affected vehicles (2)

2020 Audi Q7
2021 Audi Q7

Who to contact

Audi — official Audi recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-253-2834

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Why do Audi passenger airbags switch off or fail to deploy? · all 14 Audi recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. The air bag control module may deploy the second stage of the front passenger air bag too quickly after the first stage when the seat is occupied by an unbelted child. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Safety risk: During a crash necessitating the deployment of the passenger air bag, the second stage may deploy too quickly when a child is in the front passenger seat, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2021. Owners can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BV.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.