Recall 19V473 affects 28 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles for a faulty instrument panel weld that can damage the passenger air bag. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 28 2019 Q5 and SQ5 vehicles under recall 19V473 because incorrect welding can cause the instrument panel carrier to break when the passenger frontal air bag deploys in a crash. A damaged air bag will not provide full protection, and Audi dealers will inspect and repair affected vehicles free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The instrument panel carrier is the structural frame behind the dashboard on the 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5. It holds the dashboard in place and anchors the passenger frontal air bag, including the chute channel that guides the air bag as it inflates during a crash. The carrier has to stay rigid so the air bag deploys along the path it was designed to take.
On affected Q5 and SQ5 vehicles, welds on the instrument panel carrier were made while the supplier's cooling system was offline for 40 minutes during one production shift. Those welds did not form to spec. In a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag, the carrier can break at the weakened weld and the air bag chute channel can separate from the dashboard. If that happens, the air bag itself can be damaged and its performance during the crash is no longer guaranteed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The defect only shows itself in a crash, when the passenger air bag deploys.
Who's affected?
Covers both the Q5 and SQ5 across the 2019 model year, all built in a single week of November 2018 with two separate component issues.
| 2019 Audi Q5 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2019 Audi Q5 | instrument panel |
| 2019 Audi SQ5 | front air bag |
| 2019 Audi SQ5 | instrument panel |
| Units affected | 28 |
| 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 SUV is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
A damaged frontal air bag in the passenger position can fail to protect the occupant in a crash, raising the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before the defect matters, so schedule the repair soon rather than waiting for a problem to appear. Dealers replace the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag at no cost. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Audi Q5 or SQ5 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Audi dealer to schedule the instrument panel and passenger frontal air bag replacement that addresses the incorrect weld.
- Reference recall number 19V473 (Audi recall 90N1) when you call the dealer so they pull the correct repair order.
- Call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834 with questions about the recall or the repair process.
- Bring the owner notification letter to your appointment if Audi has mailed one.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician replaces the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Audi is not offering a separate reimbursement program for this campaign, so out-of-pocket repairs already paid before the recall notice are not covered through a recall claim. If you have prior repair paperwork for the instrument panel carrier or the passenger air bag, ask the service desk whether any warranty coverage applies to your vehicle.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| June 19, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 16, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 18, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| August 18, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 18, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V473?
Recall 19V473 covers 28 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles with an incorrectly welded instrument panel carrier. In a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag, the carrier can break and damage the air bag, reducing the protection it provides. Audi dealers will replace the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Audi Q5 or SQ5 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V473. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the instrument panel and passenger frontal air bag replacement. Reference recall number 19V473 or Volkswagen's internal number 90N1 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost to the owner. Audi dealers will replace the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag free of charge, including parts and labor, at any franchised Audi dealer regardless of where the vehicle was purchased.
What is the safety risk?
If the instrument panel carrier breaks during a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag, the air bag itself can be damaged. A damaged frontal air bag does not provide adequate protection, which increases the risk of injury to a front-seat passenger in that crash.
What if I bought my Audi Q5 or SQ5 used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Audi never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V473, and reference that campaign number when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V473000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V473 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V473000 |
Source documents
-
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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →