Recall 18V004 affects 10,166 2009-2011 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 and S6 vehicles for passenger-air-bag inflators. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 10,166 2009-2011 A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6, and S6 vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during a crash deployment after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature cycling. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death, and Audi dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator in the 2009-2011 Audi S6, S4 Cabriolet, A4 Cabriolet, and A6 is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. In a qualifying crash, it produces gas that fills the air bag so the bag can cushion the passenger.
On affected vehicles, the inflator uses propellant wafers that degrade after years of exposure to high moisture, high heat, and repeated temperature changes. When the air bag deploys, degraded propellant burns too aggressively and builds excessive pressure inside the inflator body. That pressure can rupture the inflator instead of letting it vent gas through the designed path.
Owners will not feel this problem while driving. There is no warning sign before failure, because the dangerous event happens only when the passenger frontal air bag is commanded to deploy in a crash.
Who's affected?
Spans S6, S4 Cabriolet, A4 Cabriolet, and A6 cars from 2009-2011, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator.
| 2009 Audi S6 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2010 Audi S6 | front air bag |
| 2009 Audi S4 Cabriolet | front air bag |
| 2011 Audi S6 | front air bag |
| 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet | front air bag |
| 2009 Audi A6 | front air bag |
| 2010 Audi A6 | front air bag |
| 2011 Audi A6 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 10,166 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The model year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the passenger frontal air bag inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2011 Audi S6, S4 Cabriolet, A4 Cabriolet, or A6 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement.
- Ask the dealer whether recall number 18V004 has been superseded by 18V427 for your VIN before the repair is booked.
- Bring the recall notice if Audi mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V004 when you call.
- Call Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 with questions about owner notices, parts, or dealer scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag inflator covered by this recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. This repair is tied to Audi recall number 69U1, and the source remedy notes that this campaign has been superseded by 18V427, so the service desk should confirm the current open campaign for your VIN before work begins. Audi is not offering reimbursement for costs tied to prior air bag inflator replacement under this campaign.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| January 4, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 3, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| March 3, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 3, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 3, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 29, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V004?
Recall 18V004 covers 10,166 2009-2011 Audi A6, S6, S4 Cabriolet, and A4 Cabriolet vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode during deployment after long exposure to humidity and temperature cycling. Audi dealers replace the inflator for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2011 Audi A6, S6, S4 Cabriolet, or A4 Cabriolet is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Audi is included in recall 18V004. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer and ask for the passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall number 18V004 or Audi recall 69U1 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Audi dealers replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator free of charge, including parts and labor, for vehicles included in recall 18V004.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is sharp metal fragments entering the cabin if the passenger frontal air bag inflator explodes during a crash. That can seriously injure or kill occupants. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Audi dealer repair.
What if I bought this Audi used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Audi is included, then call a franchised Audi dealer and reference recall 18V004 or Audi recall 69U1.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V004000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V004 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V004000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →