Recall 17V032 covers 33,421 2005-2009 Audi vehicles with front passenger air bag inflators that can rupture. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 33,421 2005-2009 A4, A6, S6, S4, and RS 4 vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can rupture after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture can send metal fragments into occupants and cause serious injury or death; Audi dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger front air bag module in these 2005-2009 Audi A4, A6, S6, S4, and RS 4 vehicles contains an inflator. In a crash that requires the front air bags, the inflator is supposed to create gas quickly enough to fill the passenger air bag and help cushion the occupant.
The problem is inside certain inflators. The propellant wafers can break down after long-term exposure to high humidity, high heat, and repeated temperature changes. If the air bag deploys, that damaged propellant can burn too forcefully, creating pressure high enough to rupture the inflator body instead of filling the bag as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The inflator sits inside the air bag module, so an owner will not feel, hear, or see this problem during normal driving.
Who's affected?
Spans five Audi model lines across 2005-2009, all tied to the same front air bag inflator module.
| 2006 Audi A4 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2007 Audi A4 | front air bag |
| 2007 Audi A6 | front air bag |
| 2008 Audi A4 | front air bag |
| 2008 Audi A6 | front air bag |
| 2009 Audi A4 | front air bag |
| 2009 Audi A6 | front air bag |
| 2007 Audi S6 | front air bag |
| 2005 Audi A4 | front air bag |
| 2008 Audi S6 | front air bag |
| 2009 Audi S6 | front air bag |
| 2005 Audi S4 | front air bag |
| 2006 Audi S4 | front air bag |
| 2008 Audi S4 | front air bag |
| 2009 Audi S4 | front air bag |
| 2008 Audi RS 4 | front air bag |
| 2005 Audi A6 | front air bag |
| 2006 Audi A6 | front air bag |
| 2007 Audi RS 4 | front air bag |
| 2007 Audi S4 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 33,421 |
| 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 car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A rupturing passenger frontal air bag inflator can send metal fragments into the cabin, striking occupants and causing serious injury or death. Confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2005-2009 Audi A4, A6, S6, S4, or RS 4 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement that addresses the rupture risk during a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if Audi mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V032 when you call.
- Ask the dealer whether this recall has been superseded for your VIN before the repair order is written.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag inflator covered by recall 17V032. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Audi notes that this campaign has been superseded by recall 18V427, so ask the service desk to confirm which campaign number they will use for the repair order. Audi is not offering reimbursement for costs tied to prior passenger air bag inflator replacement for this campaign.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| January 11, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 5, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| March 30, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V032?
Recall 17V032 covers 33,421 2005-2009 Audi A4, A6, S6, S4, and RS 4 vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can rupture during deployment. Metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. Audi dealers replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator for free.
What should I do if my 2005-2009 Audi A4, A6, S6, S4, or RS 4 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Audi is included in recall 17V032. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement. Reference NHTSA campaign 17V032 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost, and Audi dealers replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator free of charge. The remedy for recall 17V032 began March 30, 2018, and the recall was superseded by recall 18V427.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an air bag inflator rupture during a crash that requires passenger frontal air bag deployment. In recall 17V032, NHTSA says metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants, causing serious injury or death. Confirm your VIN and arrange the free Audi dealer repair.
What if I bought my Audi used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received an Audi notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific A4, A6, S6, S4, or RS 4 is included, then call a franchised Audi dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V032000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V032 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V032000 |
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)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
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 →