In the same month that Volkswagen agreed to a $4.3 billion settlement with US regulators related to its conspiracy to fraudulently engineer its automobiles to defy emission standards, the company’s Audi brand has also recalled over half a million automobiles in the US relating to dangers that can cause vehicle fires and spew metal fragments into the car due to defective airbags. All in all, the newest recalls relate to vehicles sold to consumers with at least three dangerous defects.
The Risk of Fire in Audi A4s, A5s, A6s, and Q5s
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that Audi has recalled 342,800 A4s, A5s, A6s, and Q5s manufactured in 2012 or after related to a faulty cooling pipe in the cars which can overheat and lead to fires. According to the NHTSA, “In certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0L TFSI engine, the coolant pump could become blocked by debris from the cooling system, which can lead to the pump overheating and the risk of a vehicle fire.” The NHTSA indicates that all such cars are affected by the defect.
Audi’s Defective Air Bags
In two separate recalls, Audi also indicated that hundreds of thousands of its vehicles included defective air bags with the danger of passenger injury. In the first, Audi recalled 234,504 Q5 SUVs from the years 2011 through 2017 due to the fact that water could enter the air bag canisters which could corrosion to the canisters over time, and potentially lead to the result of the airbag canister fracturing without airbag deployment and “propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle.”
In the second recall, over 5,000 2017 and 2018 Audis are being recalled due to the risk of air bags and seat belt pretensioners not deploying or working properly during a crash, which could lead to serious injuries. No deaths have yet been reported due to the various defects.
Legal Remedies for Automotive Defects
If you have been injured in accident caused by an automotive defect, recovery for your injuries, property damage, and other losses is available through the court system. The complex litigation attorneys at McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP have extensive experience in investigating consumer fraud and defective product matter issues in the automotive industry. Contact one of our attorneys today to schedule a consultation regarding your claim.