Recall 21V159 covers 3,421 2019-2021 Audi A6 and A7 family vehicles for passenger air bag score-line defects. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 3,421 2019-2021 A6, A7, RS 7, RS 6 Avant, A6 Allroad, S6, and S7 vehicles because the passenger air bag score line was not manufactured correctly. During a crash, the air bag can deploy improperly or send plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing injury risk; Audi dealers will replace the passenger air bag free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The instrument panel on these 2019-2021 Audi A6, A7, RS 7, RS 6 Avant, A6 Allroad, S6, and S7 vehicles covers the passenger air bag. It also has a hidden score line, a thinned path in the panel that lets the air bag door open in the right place when the passenger air bag deploys.
On affected vehicles, supplier manufacturing deviations and process errors left that score line too weakly formed or missing. The automated quality check did not consistently catch the problem. If the passenger air bag deploys, the panel can interfere with proper air bag opening and inflation instead of splitting along the intended path.
There is no warning sign before failure. You will not see a dashboard light or feel a driving change that tells you the score line was made incorrectly.
Who's affected?
Across 2019-2021, the scope spans A6 and A7 family cars plus S and RS variants, all tied to the air bag system.
| 2019 Audi A6 | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Audi A7 | air bag system |
| 2021 Audi RS 7 | air bag system |
| 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant | air bag system |
| 2020 Audi A6 | air bag system |
| 2020 Audi A7 | air bag system |
| 2021 Audi A6 | air bag system |
| 2020 Audi A6 Allroad | air bag system |
| 2021 Audi S6 | air bag system |
| 2020 Audi S6 | air bag system |
| 2021 Audi S7 | air bag system |
| 2021 Audi A7 | air bag system |
| 2021 Audi A6 Allroad | air bag system |
| 2020 Audi S7 | air bag system |
| Units affected | 3,421 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching Audi model and year does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrectly manufactured passenger air bag can fail to deploy properly in a crash and send plastic debris into the cabin. That increases injury risk. There is no warning sign before this problem, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the dealer inspection. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2021 Audi A6, A7, RS 7, RS 6 Avant, A6 Allroad, S6, or S7 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free passenger-air-bag score-line inspection and repair that addresses improper deployment and plastic debris risk.
- Bring the owner notice if Audi mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V159 and Audi recall 70i2 when you call.
- Call Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 with questions about timing, inspection, or dealer scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician inspects the passenger air bag score line and repairs it if the scoring was not manufactured correctly. The inspection, any needed repair, parts, and labor are free under the recall. Audi is not offering a separate reimbursement program because the affected vehicles are within the warranty period. If you have prior repair paperwork tied to the passenger air bag score line, ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies to that work.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 10, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 26, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 7, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| May 7, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 7, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V159?
Recall 21V159 covers 3,421 2019-2021 Audi A6, A7, RS 7, RS 6 Avant, A6 Allroad, S6, and S7 vehicles with a passenger air bag score line that was manufactured incorrectly. Audi dealers will inspect the air bag score line and repair it for free if needed.
What should I do if my 2019-2021 Audi A6, A7, RS 7, RS 6 Avant, A6 Allroad, S6, or S7 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V159. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the passenger air bag score-line inspection. Reference Audi recall number 70i2 when you call. The inspection and repair are free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Audi will inspect the passenger air bag score line and repair it for free if needed. The repair is handled through a franchised Audi dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V159?
The risk is tied to the passenger air bag. In recall 21V159, an incorrectly manufactured air bag can fail to deploy properly or eject plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing injury risk during a crash. The dealer repair addresses that defect for free.
When did Audi begin this recall?
Audi began the recall on March 26, 2021. If you never received an owner letter, check your VIN and call an Audi dealer with recall number 70i2. Audi customer service is also listed at 1-800-253-2834.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V159000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V159 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V159000 |
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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →