Recall 23V189 affects 5,224 2022-2023 Audi Q4 E-Tron SUVs because curtain air bags can tear. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 5,224 2022-2023 Q4 E-Tron vehicles because the head curtain air bag can tear during deployment after deforming the door seal. In a crash, a torn air bag cannot protect occupants as intended, and the Audi dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The head curtain air bag in the 2022-2023 Audi Q4 E-Tron is built into the upper side of the cabin. In a side-impact or rollover crash, it drops down along the windows to help keep occupants inside the vehicle. It has to unfold cleanly past the door opening and seal area.
On affected vehicles, the door seal near the B-pillar does not sit flat because nearby metal body-shell pieces overlap slightly. When the curtain air bag deploys, it presses against that seal and exposes the metal inlay inside the seal. That exposed metal edge can tear the air bag material during deployment, so the air bag does not provide the intended ejection protection.
There is no warning sign before failure. Audi reported no warranty claims, customer complaints, or field reports tied to this issue when the recall decision was made.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2022 and 2023 model years, both tied to the same air bag system issue.
| 2022 Audi Q4 E-Tron | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2023 Audi Q4 E-Tron | air bag system |
| Units affected | 5,224 |
| 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 SUV.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, a torn air bag cannot protect occupants as intended, increasing the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before this crash-related damage. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon and ask the dealer to install the B-pillar cloth tape. Repair will be free at any franchised Audi dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2022-2023 Audi Q4 E-Tron is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free B-pillar cloth-tape repair that helps prevent the door seal from tearing the head curtain air bag during deployment.
- Bring the Audi owner letter if you have it. If not, reference recall number 23V189 and Audi recall 69FA when you call.
- Call Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 with questions before your dealer visit.
- Drive with extra caution until the repair is complete, since a torn air bag cannot protect occupants as intended in a crash.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available, an Audi technician will install cloth tape in the driver and front passenger B-pillar area so the head curtain air bag has added protection around the door seal during deployment. The final dealer repair will be free once it opens, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Audi is not offering reimbursement for this campaign, so owners who already paid for a related repair do not have a separate reimbursement path under this recall.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| March 22, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 22, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 11, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 19, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| May 19, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V189?
Recall 23V189 covers 5,224 2022-2023 Audi Q4 E-Tron vehicles with a head curtain air bag issue. During deployment, the door seal can expose a metal inlay that can tear the air bag. Audi dealers install cloth tape in the driver and front passenger B-pillar area for free.
What should I do if my 2022-2023 Audi Q4 E-Tron is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 23V189. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the B-pillar cloth tape installation. Reference recall number 23V189 or Audi recall number 69FA when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Audi will install the cloth tape free of charge at any franchised Audi dealer. Parts and labor are covered under recall 23V189.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced air bag protection in a crash. If the head curtain air bag tears during deployment, it cannot protect occupants as intended, which increases injury risk. The dealer repair adds cloth tape to the B-pillar area to protect the air bag during deployment.
When did Audi notify owners about this recall?
Audi mailed owner notification letters on May 11, 2023. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your Q4 E-Tron is included, then call an Audi dealer with recall number 23V189 or Audi recall number 69FA.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V189000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V189 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V189000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
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 →