DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY DEFECT On February 24, 2026, an Audi-certified technician at Audi of Milwaukee discovered substantial rust perforation of the rear subframe on my 2014 Audi A4 Allroad (Repair Order #[XXX]). The technician documented the condition as follows: “INSPECTED REAR SUBFRAME CORROSION. RECOMMEND TO REPLACE REAR …
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DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY DEFECT On February 24, 2026, an Audi-certified technician at Audi of Milwaukee discovered substantial rust perforation of the rear subframe on my 2014 Audi A4 Allroad (Repair Order #[XXX]). The technician documented the condition as follows: “INSPECTED REAR SUBFRAME CORROSION. RECOMMEND TO REPLACE REAR SUBFRAME AND RELATED PARTS.” The quoted cost to replace the rear subframe, control arms, and related components is $11,583.00. The vehicle was otherwise inspected as being in excellent condition with no body panel corrosion. Root Cause: Manufacturer-Installed Plastic Shield Design Defect (B8/B8.5 and B9 Platforms) The corrosion is caused by a design defect present on the Audi B8/B8.5 and B9 platforms: plastic aerodynamic shields are installed by the manufacturer on both sides of the rear subframe. These plastic shields trap road salt, water, and debris directly against the bare steel subframe, preventing it from draining or drying. Even vehicle owners who regularly wash the undercarriage—as I did—cannot prevent salt accumulation behind these shields. This is not general road salt exposure. The plastic covers are an Audi-designed component that actively concentrates corrosive materials against the subframe. The corrosion therefore originates from a manufacturer design decision, not from owner neglect or normal environmental exposure. III. SAFETY RISK The rear subframe is a primary structural and suspension component. It mounts the rear suspension, differential, and drivetrain to the vehicle. Rust perforation of this component poses the following safety risks: •Structural failure of the subframe while driving, potentially causing sudden loss of vehicle control •Collapse of rear suspension leading to loss of steering stability •Separation of the rear drivetrain or differential from the vehicle under load •Increased risk of catastrophic failure when towing, carrying passengers, or during emergency maneuvers •No visible warning to the drive INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFOR
NHTSA ODI #11722350
55,000 miles · Jun 19, 2019
SuspensionWheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS. THE FIRST DEALER (AUDI MEMPHIS, LOCATED AT 1825 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS, TN 38128, (901) 388-8989) DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING AND ALL FOUR TIRES N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS. THE FIRST DEALER (AUDI MEMPHIS, LOCATED AT 1825 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS, TN 38128, (901) 388-8989) DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING AND ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SECOND DEALER (AUDI WEST PALM BEACH, LOCATED AT 2101 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409, (561) 688-2000) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE THIRD DEALER (AUDI FORT LAUDERDALE, LOCATED AT 1200 N FEDERAL HWY, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33304, (954) 876-4144) DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OF THE RIMS WAS BENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COMPLETELY REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Audi A4 and S4 vehicles manufactured February 16, 2012, to October 21, 2014, and 2013-2015 Audi Allroad vehicles manufactured March 12, 2012, to October 21, 2014. Due to an improper algorithm in the air bag control module, if a crash necessitates deployment of the side air bags, a second impact to the front of the vehicle may not command the front air bags to also deploy.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front air bags do not deploy in the event of a secondary impact to the front of the vehicle, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will update the air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on November 14, 2014. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69K5.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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