Recall 23V868 covers 1,001 2023-2024 Audi Q8, SQ7, RS Q8, SQ8, and Q7 vehicles. Improper side-airbag mounting is fixed free at franchised Audi dealers.
Audi is recalling 1,001 2023-2024 Q8, SQ7, RS Q8, SQ8, and Q7 vehicles because the driver's seat side air bag has an improper mounting issue at the seatback frame. In a crash, the air bag can fail to restrain the occupant as intended, increasing injury risk; Audi dealers will inspect and repair it free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The side airbag in these 2023-2024 Audi Q8, SQ7, RS Q8, SQ8, and Q7 vehicles is mounted inside the driver's seatback. It is a thorax airbag, which means it is designed to inflate from the side of the seat and help protect the driver's upper body in a side impact.
On affected vehicles, the driver's seat side airbag was not mounted correctly to the seatback frame during supplier seat assembly. The problem came from worker error on the supplier's assembly line. The airbag itself is not described as defective, and Audi says no parts are being replaced. The issue is the way the airbag was installed in the seat structure.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not expect a dashboard light, noise, seat movement, or change in normal driving feel to show that the side airbag mounting is wrong.
Who's affected?
Spans five Audi SUV models across the 2023 and 2024 model years, all tied to the same side air bag component.
| 2024 Audi Q8 | side air bag |
|---|---|
| 2024 Audi SQ7 | side air bag |
| 2023 Audi RS Q8 | side air bag |
| 2023 Audi SQ8 | side air bag |
| 2024 Audi RS Q8 | side air bag |
| 2024 Audi SQ8 | side air bag |
| 2024 Audi Q7 | side air bag |
| 2023 Audi Q8 | side air bag |
| 2023 Audi Q7 | side air bag |
| Units affected | 1,001 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
An improperly mounted air bag can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing injury risk in a crash. There is no warning sign before a crash exposes the problem, so schedule the inspection soon and avoid delaying the dealer visit. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023-2024 Audi Q8, SQ7, RS Q8, SQ8, or Q7 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free driver's seat side-air-bag inspection and reinstall work, which secures the air bag to the seatback frame.
- Bring the recall notice if Audi mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V868 when you call.
- Avoid delaying the repair, because the improperly mounted driver's seat side air bag can fail to restrain an occupant as intended in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician inspects the driver's seat side air bag and reinstalls it to the seatback frame if the mounting is not correct. Parts and labor are covered by the recall, so the dealer repair is free. Audi is not offering reimbursement for this campaign. If you already paid for a related air bag or seatback repair, ask the service desk to explain what the recall covers before authorizing any additional work.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| December 20, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 22, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| December 22, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 17, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 16, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 16, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V868?
Recall 23V868 covers 1,001 2023-2024 Audi Q8, SQ7, RS Q8, SQ8, and Q7 vehicles with a driver's seat side air bag that was improperly mounted to the seatback frame. Audi dealers will inspect and reinstall the air bag as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2023-2024 Audi Q8, SQ7, RS Q8, SQ8, or Q7 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Audi is included in recall 23V868. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the seat side air bag inspection and reinstallation. Reference recall number 23V868 or Audi recall number 69GA when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this defect at no cost to the owner. Audi dealers will inspect the driver's seat side air bag and reinstall it as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 23V868?
The safety risk is reduced side-impact protection during a crash. The driver's seat side air bag was improperly mounted, so it does not restrain an occupant as intended. That increases the risk of injury in a crash.
When did Audi mail owner letters for recall 23V868?
Audi mailed owner notification letters on January 17, 2024. If you own one of these vehicles and never received a letter, check your VIN and call an Audi dealer with recall number 23V868 or Audi recall number 69GA.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V868000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V868 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V868000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →