Recall 16V376 affects 8,381 2008-2009 Audi A5, Q5, and A4 vehicles for air bag control unit corrosion. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 8,381 2008-2009 A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles because corrosion can make the air bag control unit fail. If that control unit fails in a crash, the air bags can fail to deploy and raise the risk of occupant injury; Audi dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The air bag control unit in 2008-2009 Audi A5, Q5, and A4 vehicles is the small electronic controller that watches crash sensors and tells the air bags when to deploy. It depends on a stable internal power supply, because the controller has to stay awake and ready whenever the vehicle is in use.
In affected vehicles, a manufacturing defect in that power supply allows TiN corrosion to form inside the air bag control unit. As corrosion builds, the power supply can no longer feed the controller correctly, and the control unit fails. A failed control unit leaves the air bag system without the electronic command center it needs in a crash.
The warning sign is the air bag indicator light on the instrument panel. If that light stays on, the vehicle is telling you the air bag system has detected a fault.
Who's affected?
Included vehicles span the A5, Q5, and A4 across the 2008-2009 model years, with both air bag system and front air bag components named in the recall.
| 2009 Audi A5 | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2009 Audi Q5 | front air bag |
| 2008 Audi A4 | air bag system |
| 2008 Audi Q5 | front air bag |
| 2008 Audi Q5 | air bag system |
| 2008 Audi A4 | front air bag |
| 2009 Audi A4 | front air bag |
| 2009 Audi A4 | air bag system |
| 2009 Audi A5 | front air bag |
| 2008 Audi A5 | front air bag |
| 2008 Audi A5 | air bag system |
| 2009 Audi Q5 | air bag system |
| Units affected | 8,381 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A failed air bag control unit can keep the air bags from deploying in a crash, which increases the risk of occupant injury. The warning sign is an airbag indicator light on the instrument panel. If that light appears, drive cautiously and schedule service soon. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2009 Audi A5, Q5, or A4 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free air bag control unit replacement that fixes the corrosion-related control unit failure.
- Bring the recall notice if Audi mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V376 and Audi recall 69O1 when you call.
- Use extra caution until the repair is complete, and keep every passenger buckled.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician replaces the air bag control unit covered by recall 16V376. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Audi has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this repair. Bring documentation for any related out-of-pocket air bag control unit repair to the service desk, or contact Audi customer service to ask how to submit a claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 27, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 25, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| October 25, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 31, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 31, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V376?
Recall 16V376 covers 8,381 2008-2009 Audi A5, Q5, and A4 vehicles with air bag control units that can corrode and fail. If the control unit fails, the air bags can fail to deploy in a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
What should I do if my 2008-2009 Audi A5, Q5, or A4 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Audi is included in recall 16V376. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule replacement of the air bag control unit. Reference recall number 16V376 or Audi recall number 69O1 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Audi dealers will replace the air bag control unit free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Audi dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V376?
The risk is that the air bags can fail to deploy during a crash. The defect is corrosion and failure inside the air bag control unit, which is the part that helps command deployment. That loss of protection increases the risk of occupant injury.
What if I bought my Audi A4, A5, or Q5 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2008-2009 Audi is included, then call a franchised Audi dealer and reference recall 16V376.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V376000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V376 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V376000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →