Audi Airbag Recall: Chile – Models A3, A4, A5, Q5 (2006-2014)
Chile’s National Consumer Service (Sernac) has issued a safety alert for more than 2,000 Audi vehicles sold in the country between 2006 and 2014, citing a defective airbag that poses a risk of serious injury or death to occupants.
The alert specifically affects models A5 Cabrio, A4 Cabrio, A3, Q5, and A5 Sportback, all manufactured between 2006 and 2014. Sernac stated the defect lies within the Takata airbag inflator, which can degrade over time due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. This degradation can lead to the rupture of the inflator in the event of an airbag deployment during an accident.
According to Sernac, the Takata airbag inflator can break apart unexpectedly when activated, “fragmenting into little metal pieces that, once propelled by the force of the pyrotechnic device, become dangerous shrapnel causing serious damage to people.”
The potential risks associated with the defect include “injuries, lacerations and possible risk of death,” Sernac reported. Even as no accidents have been reported in Chile related to this specific issue, approximately 20 deaths have been recorded in other countries due to similar airbag failures. The most recent fatality occurred in Brazil in 2020, where a person died as a result of injuries caused by the fragmentation of the airbag components.
The affected vehicles originate from Germany and Hungary. Consumers can verify if their vehicle is subject to the recall by checking the chassis number (VIN) against a list published on the Sernac website: https://www.sernac.cl/portal/619/w3-article-88392.html
Owners of affected vehicles are advised to contact their preferred mechanic to schedule a free repair. Audi provides the following contact information for further assistance:
- Phone/Call Center: 600 712 8000
- Website: www.audi.cl
- Email: [email protected]