Recall 20V505 covers 5,376 2020-2021 Audi vehicles for faulty front-seat welds. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 5,376 2020-2021 Q5, SQ5, Atlas Cross Sport, Atlas, Tiguan, and Jetta vehicles because parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster were not welded properly. In a rear-end crash, the backrest adjuster can break and reduce occupant restraint, which increases injury risk; Audi dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seat frame and backrest adjuster hold the front seat in position and let the seatback lock at the angle the driver or passenger chooses. On the 2020-2021 Audi Q5, SQ5, Atlas Cross Sport, Atlas, Tiguan, and Jetta vehicles in this recall, the backrest depends on welded joints in that frame to stay rigid during normal driving.
The problem is the weld quality. After supplier production restarted following the COVID-19 shutdown, parts that were not handled correctly were mixed with acceptable parts. Those affected seatback frames do not have the proper welds, so the backrest adjuster and frame can feel loose or make noise instead of holding the seatback firmly.
Owners can notice a small instability in the backrest or noise from the seat area. If the dealer finds an affected part, the fix is a new seatback frame with the proper welds.
Who's affected?
Spans six models across the 2020 and 2021 model years, all involving the seat assembly.
| 2020 Audi Q5 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2020 Audi SQ5 | seat assembly |
| 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | seat assembly |
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas | seat assembly |
| 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan | seat assembly |
| 2020 Volkswagen Jetta | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 5,376 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
In a rear-end crash, a front seat backrest adjuster can break and reduce occupant restraint, increasing the risk of injury. Treat a loose-feeling backrest or unusual seat noise as a reason to stop using that seat and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2020-2021 Audi Q5, SQ5, Atlas Cross Sport, Atlas, Tiguan, or Jetta is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free front-seat inspection and seatback-frame repair, which fixes improperly welded front seat frame and backrest adjuster parts.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 20V505 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance so the seatback restraint risk is reduced in a rear-end crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician inspects the front seats for improperly welded frame or backrest adjuster parts. If the inspection finds a covered seatback frame problem, the technician replaces the seatback frame. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Audi is not offering a separate reimbursement program because the affected vehicles were covered by the factory warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| August 26, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 11, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 25, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| October 25, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 25, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V505?
Recall 20V505 covers 5,376 2020-2021 Audi Q5, SQ5, Atlas Cross Sport, Atlas, Tiguan, and Jetta vehicles with front seat frame and backrest adjuster welds that were not done properly. Audi dealers will inspect the front seats and replace seatback frames for free when needed.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Audi Q5, SQ5, Atlas Cross Sport, Atlas, Tiguan, or Jetta is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V505. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the front seat inspection. Reference recall number 20V505000 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Audi dealers will inspect the front seats and replace the seatback frames free of charge when replacement is needed.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced occupant restraint in a rear-end crash. If the backrest adjustment breaks during that crash, the seatback cannot support the occupant as designed, increasing injury risk. The free dealer repair addresses the seat frame and backrest adjuster problem.
When did the repair become available?
The recall repair became available after the recall began on September 11, 2020. Owners can schedule service with a franchised Audi dealer for the front seat inspection and any needed seatback frame replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V505000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-888-241-2289 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V505 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V505000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →