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Campaign 17V001 Posted January 3, 2017 234,057 units

2011-2017 Audi Q5 Recall 17V001: Air Bag Corrosion

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 25, 2026

Recall 17V001 affects 234,057 2011-2017 Audi Q5 SUVs for sunroof-drain corrosion that damages side air bag inflators. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.

Audi is recalling 234,057 2011-2017 Q5 SUVs because water from the sunroof drainage system can soak the foam around a side head air bag inflator canister and corrode it. If the weakened canister ruptures, metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; Audi dealers will complete the repair free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The panoramic sunroof on 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles has drain channels that carry rainwater out of the roof area instead of letting it collect above the headliner. Near that area is the side head curtain airbag inflator canister, a sealed, helium-filled metal cylinder that supplies gas to inflate the curtain airbag in a side crash.

On affected Q5 vehicles, water from the sunroof drainage system can soak into foam around that airbag canister. Trapped moisture corrodes the canister over time. Corrosion weakens the metal shell, and the inflator can fracture even when the airbag is not deploying. NHTSA campaign 17V001 describes the risk as fragments entering the passenger compartment and striking occupants, causing serious injury.

There is no warning sign before failure. A wet headliner or evidence of water intrusion is still worth reporting to an Audi dealer, but the recall defect does not give the owner a dependable alert before the canister fractures.

Who's affected?

Both component categories appear for each model year: side air bag and sun or moon roof assembly.

2015 Audi Q5 side air bag
2015 Audi Q5 visibility component
2014 Audi Q5 side air bag
2014 Audi Q5 visibility component
2016 Audi Q5 side air bag
Units affected234,057
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged no field incidents to date.

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.

What's the safety risk?

Under NHTSA campaign 17V001, an airbag inflator rupture can send metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before the rupture, so schedule the recall repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2017 Audi Q5 is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free inspection and side-air-bag-inflator repair that addresses water-soaked foam and inflator-canister corrosion.
  3. Bring the recall notice if Audi mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V001 and Audi recall 69P1 when you call.
  4. Ask the dealer to remove the surrounding foam, then coat or replace the inflator canister if corrosion is found.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, an Audi technician removes the surrounding foam around the side head air bag inflator, inspects the inflator canister, then coats it or replaces it as needed. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Audi has a general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you've already paid out of pocket for a related repair, bring repair invoices or other documentation to the service desk and ask how Audi's reimbursement plan applies to your claim.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

January 3, 2017 NHTSA published the recall
March 3, 2017 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 17V001?

Recall 17V001 covers 234,057 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles with a sunroof-drainage defect. Water can soak foam around the side head air bag inflator canister, causing corrosion. Under NHTSA campaign 17V001, an inflator rupture can send metal fragments into the cabin and cause serious injury or death.

What should I do if my 2011-2017 Audi Q5 is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific Q5 is included in recall 17V001. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer and reference recall number 17V001 or Audi recall number 69P1. The dealer will inspect the inflator and complete the covered repair.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Audi's recall remedy says dealers will inspect the inflator, remove the surrounding foam, and either coat or replace the inflator as needed, free of charge. Federal recall law requires the defect repair at no cost at a franchised Audi dealer.

Is it safe to drive my Audi Q5 before the recall repair?

The source does not include a do-not-drive order for recall 17V001. The risk remains serious: NHTSA campaign 17V001 says an inflator rupture can send metal fragments toward occupants. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free dealer inspection and repair.

What if I bought my Audi Q5 used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN because the year and model are not enough, then call a franchised Audi dealer with recall number 17V001 or Audi recall number 69P1.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V001000
Audi customer service1-800-253-2834
NHTSA recall #17V001
NHTSA recall # (full)17V001000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →