Volkswagen’s luxury brand, Audi, has issued a safety recall affecting approximately 27,760 vehicles due to a potential issue with the seat belt system. The recall, reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is specific to 2025 model year vehicles, including certain models of the A5, A6, Q6 E-tron, S5, and S6. The problem lies in the automatic locking retractor, which may not engage properly when a child’s car seat is installed, potentially failing to secure the seat in the event of a crash.
The issue is caused by a damaged spring, which can prevent the seat belt from locking into place. Vehicle owners who use the seat belt to restrain a child seat may notice that the belt does not stop before fully retracting. To address the issue, Audi is advising owners of affected vehicles to bring their car to a dealership, where the rear seat belt assemblies will be inspected and replaced free of charge if necessary.
Audi owners can contact the company’s customer service line at (800) 253-2834 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s safety hotline at (888) 327-4236 to determine if their vehicle is affected by the recall. Affected owners will be notified by mail starting in February. This is not the first recall issued by Audi in 2025, as the company previously recalled over 89,000 vehicles due to concerns about oil leaks potentially starting an engine fire. Vehicle owners are encouraged to take the necessary steps to ensure their car is safe and compliant with the recall. By doing so, they can help prevent potential accidents and ensure the safety of their passengers, particularly children who rely on properly secured car seats.