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Audi Cars and SUVs: Rear Suspension Nut Can Break

NHTSA campaign 21V295000 · Reported 2021-04-26 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

high How serious is it? About this label

This is a serious problem because a broken nut can cause a loss of control, and although the notice does not tell owners to stop driving, you should get the free repair done promptly.

What's wrong, in plain English

On these Audi cars and SUVs, a lock nut holds part of the rear suspension — the trailing arm — to the rear axle. That nut can corrode under stress and break. If it breaks, the rear axle can shift out of alignment, and the car can become hard to keep straight in a way the driver may not be able to correct. That can lead to a loss of control and a crash. A dealer will replace the lock nuts, and the bolts with them if needed, at no cost.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your car is included.
2. Call your Audi dealer or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 (recall 42L1) to book the repair.
3. Have the lock nuts replaced — parts and labor are free.

Affected vehicles (26)

Show all 26 vehicles

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

Official notice

Component
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Safety risk
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.

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