Volkswagen Recall Notice For 90,000 Audi Q5 Vehicles Due To Fire Risk

Volkswagen is recalling close to 90,000 Audi Q5 and Q5 Sportback models in the U.S. due to a defect that could lead to engine fires. The issue? Loose screws in the cylinder head cover that allow oil to leak onto hot engine parts.

What Models Are Affected?

The recall applies to:

1. 2022–2024 Audi Q5
2. 2022–2024 Audi Q5 Sportback

What’s the Problem?

During assembly, some screws on the cylinder head cover weren’t tightened properly. As these screws loosen over time, they can let oil leak out. If that oil hits a hot engine part, it could catch fire.

Drivers might notice burning smells or smoke from under the hood. If that happens, Audi advises parking the car immediately and shutting off the engine.

How Audi Discovered the Issue?

1. May 2023: Audi received a customer complaint about oil leakage.
2. July 2023: Engineers traced the problem to burrs from the screw manufacturing process, which damaged the cylinder head cover.
3. August 2023–January 2024: Audi made some production fixes but kept monitoring the situation.
4. April 2024: A Technical Service Bulletin was issued.
5. May–October 2024: Audi saw a spike in thermal incident reports.
6. Late 2024: A task force was set up after oil leak cases increased.

By early 2025, over 2,500 warranty claims had been filed. Fortunately, no crashes or injuries have been reported so far.

Additional Risks

Besides the fire risk, leaking oil can:

1. Lower engine performance due to reduced lubrication
2. Lead to expensive engine repairs if not fixed quickly

What Audi Owners Should Do?

Starting July 8, 2025, Volkswagen will notify owners. Affected drivers can:

1. Visit an Audi dealer for a free inspection and repair
2. Enter their VIN at the NHTSA recall website to check recall status
3. Call Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 for more help

If you own a 2022–2024 Audi Q5 or Q5 Sportback, don’t wait. Get your car checked to prevent potential fire hazards and avoid costly repairs down the line.