Recall 26V266 affects 7,425 2025 Audi Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, and SQ5 Sportback vehicles for faulty seat belts. Repair is free at franchised Audi dealers.
Audi is recalling 7,425 2025 Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, and SQ5 Sportback vehicles because the driver and front passenger seat belts are under recall for incorrect manufacturing. The defect can keep the belts from properly restraining occupants during a crash, increasing injury risk, and Audi dealers will complete the recall repair 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 front seat belt assembly in these 2025 Audi Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, and SQ5 Sportback vehicles includes a pretensioner. That pretensioner is the device that tightens the belt at the start of a crash, so the driver or front passenger is held firmly against the seat before the main crash load reaches the belt.
On affected vehicles, manufacturing variation at one of Audi's suppliers limited how the pretensioner locks after it fires. A sealing piston inside the mechanism allowed hot gas to leak past it after activation. That gas leakage impaired the lock, which led to extra lap belt slack and lower restraint performance in specific crash tests.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat belt looks and feels normal during everyday use, so the VIN is what decides whether the vehicle has the recalled seat belt assembly.
Who's affected?
Covers Q5 and SQ5 body styles, including Sportback versions, all tied to the front seat belt pretensioner. VINs became searchable on May 1, 2026.
| 2025 Audi Q5 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback | seat belt |
| 2025 Audi SQ5 | seat belt |
| 2025 Audi SQ5 Sportback | seat belt |
| Units affected | 7,425 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2025 Audi Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, or SQ5 Sportback does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
An affected driver or front passenger seat belt can leave an occupant improperly restrained, which increases injury risk in a crash. There is no warning sign listed for this defect, so the VIN check matters more than how the belt looks or feels. Schedule the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025 Audi Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, or SQ5 Sportback is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free driver and front passenger seat-belt replacement that fixes the incorrectly manufactured belts.
- Bring the recall notice if Audi has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 26V266 and Audi recall 69GT when you call.
- Limit driving until the seat belts are inspected and replaced; the concern is occupant restraint during a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician checks the driver and front passenger seat belts and replaces any covered belt that was manufactured incorrectly. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Audi says it will not offer a separate reimbursement plan because the affected vehicles are within the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period. If you already paid for a related seat belt repair, ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies to that prior work.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| April 24, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| May 1, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 1, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V266?
Recall 26V266 covers 7,425 2025 Audi Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, and SQ5 Sportback vehicles with driver and front passenger seat belts that were manufactured incorrectly. In a crash, the belts can fail to properly restrain occupants, increasing injury risk. Audi dealers will replace the affected seat belts for free.
What should I do if my 2025 Audi Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, or SQ5 Sportback is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V266. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the seat belt inspection and replacement. Reference Audi recall number 69GT 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 to owners. Audi dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts as necessary, free of charge, on vehicles included in recall 26V266.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is improper restraint in a crash. If the affected driver or front passenger seat belt does not perform correctly, the occupant has an increased risk of injury. The fix is to have an Audi dealer replace the affected seat belts for free.
When will Audi notify owners about recall 26V266?
Audi expects to mail owner notification letters on June 23, 2026. You do not need to wait for the letter to act. Check your VIN, and if your vehicle is included, contact a franchised Audi dealer about recall number 69GT.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V266000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V266 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V266000 |
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →