Recall 22V471 affects 28,624 1997-1998 Audi A4 and A8 vehicles for exploding or underinflating driver air bag inflators. Free repair at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 28,624 1997-1998 A4 and A8 vehicles equipped with NADI driver air bag inflators that can absorb moisture and either explode or leave the air bag underinflated during deployment. The defect can send metal fragments into occupants or leave the driver poorly protected, increasing the risk of serious injury or death; Audi dealers complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver air bag inflator in the 1997-1998 Audi A4 and A8 is the metal canister inside the steering wheel air bag module. In a crash, it produces gas that fills the driver air bag cushion fast enough to help protect the driver. The cushion depends on the inflator opening in a controlled way and producing the right pressure.
These vehicles use a Takata NADI driver inflator, a non-azide design that does not use PSAN propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, moisture can enter the inflator over time. That moisture can change how the inflator behaves in a crash, leading to an explosion of the inflator or a driver air bag cushion that does not fully inflate. Audi also says the full failure mechanism has not been fully understood, with factors such as inflator subtype, manufacturing variation, climate, vibration, and vehicle application involved.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver is not expected to see a light, hear a sound, or feel a change that confirms the inflator is affected before it fails.
Who's affected?
Spans A4 and A8 sedans from the 1997 and 1998 model years, all tied to the same driver front air bag inflator.
| 1998 Audi A4 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 1998 Audi A8 | front air bag |
| 1997 Audi A4 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 28,624 |
| 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 sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
An exploding driver air bag inflator can send metal fragments toward the driver or passengers. An underinflated air bag also fails to protect the occupant as designed, increasing the risk of serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 1997-1998 Audi A4 or A8 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free driver's air bag inflator replacement, which replaces the moisture-sensitive NADI inflator with a different design.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, or reference recall number 22V471 when you call.
- Avoid unnecessary driving until the repair is complete, since the driver's air bag inflator can rupture or underinflate during deployment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician replaces the driver's air bag inflator with an alternative inflator of a different design. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and Audi says owners have already been notified that the remedy is available. Audi is not offering reimbursement for this campaign, so prior out-of-pocket repairs are not covered through a separate recall reimbursement program.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| September 13, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| September 13, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 21, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 1, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V471?
Recall 22V471 covers 28,624 1997-1998 Audi A4 and 1998 Audi A8 vehicles with a driver air bag inflator defect. Moisture can cause the inflator to explode during deployment or leave the air bag underinflated. Audi dealers replace the driver's air bag inflator for free.
What should I do if my 1997-1998 Audi A4 or A8 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 22V471. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free driver's air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall 22V471 and Audi recall number 69BT when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Audi dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Audi dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is serious. During driver air bag deployment, the inflator can explode and send metal fragments toward the driver or passengers. If the air bag underinflates, it does not protect the occupant as designed. Both scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
What if I bought my Audi A4 or A8 used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If Audi's mailed notice never reached you, check your VIN, then call a franchised Audi dealer with recall 22V471 and Audi recall number 69BT.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V471000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V471 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V471000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →