Safety Recall 97EU / Rear Light Wiring Harness Scuff Protection – 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, & 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportback

November 25, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V737000

Rear Light Wiring Harness Missing Scuff Protection

Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V737

Manufacturer Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Potential Number of Units Affected 5,426

 

Summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, and 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportback vehicles. The wiring harness for the rear lights could be missing the anti-abrasion protection in the area of the spare wheel well.

 

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will apply scuff protection, free of charge. The recall began January 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi’s number for this recall is 97EU.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

Check if your Audi has a Recall

 


Issue:

Scuff protection for the rear lights wiring harness in the area of the spare wheel well was not installed during production as required. In case of a rear crash according to FMVSS/CMVSS 301 at 80 km/h (50 mph) it may be possible that the affected wiring is damaged and power supply of the vehicle may become compromised. While there is no noncompliance with FMVSS/CMVSS 301, this could result in it not being possible to open the vehicle doors from the outside or the hazard warning lights may not function. This may lead to an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants in case of such a rear crash if the wiring becomes damaged.

 

Repair:

REPAIR AVAILABLE – January 08, 2021 – Install scuff protection tape to the trunk wiring harness

See ELSA/ServiceNet for complete repair & claiming instructions

Check daily campaign open inventory report or OMD for affected vehicles in inventory

Repair every affected inventory vehicle before delivery to consumers.

 


Affected Vehicles

Country Beginning Model Year Ending Model Year Vehicle Vehicle Count
USA20202021A54,307
USA20212021RS559
USA20202021S51,060
CAN20202021A5819
CAN20202021S5590

 

Problem Description

Scuff protection for the rear lights wiring harness in the area of the spare wheel well was not installed during production as required. In case of a rear crash according to FMVSS/CMVSS 301 at 80 km/h (50 mph) it may be possible that the affected wiring is damaged and power supply of the vehicle may become compromised. While there is no noncompliance with FMVSS/CMVSS 301, this could result in it not being possible to open the vehicle doors from the outside or the hazard warning lights may not function. This may lead to an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants in case of such a rear crash if the wiring becomes damaged.

 

Corrective Action

Install scuff protection tape to the trunk wiring harness.

 

Code Visibility

On or about December 09, 2020 the campaign code was applied to affected vehicles.

 

Owner  Notification

Owner notification will take place in January 2021. Owner letter examples are included in this bulletin for your reference.

 

Repair Overview

  • Install protective tape on trunk wiring harness.

 

Remove bench seat:

  • Remove lower child seat anchor guides:
    • See ELSA Repair Manual: Repair manual > Body > Body Interior > 69 Passenger Protection, Airbags, Seat Belts > Child Seat Anchors > Child Seat Anchors
  • Grab the bench seat <1> under the seat frame <2> using both hands on one side.
  • Using both hands on one side, forcefully pull the bench seat upward <arrow A> to release the seat frame from the front mount <3>.
  • Repeat the procedure on the other side of the bench seat <arrow B>.
  • Push the bench seat on the side toward the rear to release the seat frame from the mount.
  • Equipped on some models: disconnect the seat heating connectors.
  • Remove the bench seat.

 

NOTE

If equipped with a rear thorax airbag, leave the connector connected and carefully set the side cushion aside.

 

Remove side cushion on the left side:

  • Remove the nut <1>.
  • Hold the seat belt webbing to the side and remove the side cushion <2> from the threaded pins.
  • Fold the rear seat backrest forward.
  • Disengage hooks located at <circles> from the upper sill trim.
  • Pull the side cushion downward <arrow>, tilt slightly forward and disengage from the mount.

 

Remove tie downs on the left side:

  • Fold up the bracket <1> all the way.
  • Remove the bolts <arrows> and remove the tie down <2>.

 

Remove lock carrier trim panel:

  • Remove luggage compartment floor.
  • Free up the lock carrier trim panel near the rear lid seal <1>.
  • Grip the trim panel <2> by hand and carefully pull vertically upward using a jerking motion <arrows>.

 

Remove luggage compartment side trim on the left side:

  • Remove spare tire.
  • Remove bolts <arrows>.

 

  • Unlock service cover lock <1>.
  • Remove service cover <2> in direction of <arrow>.

 

 

Unclip cable guides:

  • Unclip cables guides <1> and <2>.

 

Free up wiring harness:

  • Carefully cut cable ties <circles>.
  • Remove cable ties from retainers.

 

  • Carefully pry wiring harness retainers <1> off retaining pins.

 

Apply first layer of tape:

Part NumberPart Description
N -107-290-04Thin blue tape

 

  • Start the first layer of tape in the approximate location of <arrows>.

 

NOTE

Wiring harness <1> does NOT get wrapped with tape.

 

  • The tape must be applied with an approximate 30%

 

  • Wrap each wiring harness section as shown, maintaining a 30% overlap for the length of the wrap.
  • Wrap section <1> to where the harness splits at location <A>.
  • Wrap section <2> to where the retainer is taped into the harness at location <B>.
  • Approximately one meter of tape will be used per section.

 

Apply second layer of tape: 

Part NumberPart Description
N -107-515-03Thick grey tape

 

  • Apply the next layer of grey tape directly over the first layer of tape on sections <1> and <2>.
  • Maintain a 30% overlap for the length of the wrap.
  • Wrap the tape up to the same spot as the first layer of tape.
  • Approximately one meter of tape will be used per section.

 

Apply end tape: 

Part NumberPart Description
N -105-919-02End tape (shop supply)

 

  • Cut two 10 cm sections of tape.
  • Securely wrap the end of each wiring harness section with one 10 cm section of tape.

 

Secure cables and install cable ties:

Part Number Part Description
N  -909-377-01Cable tie (x4)

 

  • Secure wiring harness retainers in the reverse order of removal.
  • When installing cable ties, the smooth side of the cable tie must face the harness. The ribbed side of the cable tie will be visible once the cable tie is secured around the harness.
  • Secure both wiring harness sections with cable ties <arrows> and cut off excess.
  • Reinstall cable guide covers in the reverse order of removal.

 

Reassemble vehicle in the reverse order of removal:

  • Remove trim clips remaining in the body using -T40280-.
  • Ensure all electrical connectors are reconnected.
  • Torque luggage compartment side trim screws to 1.5 Nm.
  • Torque tie down bolts to 9 Nm.
  • Torque side cushion nut to 9 Nm.
  • Replace seat grommets before installing seat bench.
Part Number Part Description
5G0-886-373Seat grommet (x2)

 



4 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
AUDIA52020-2021
AUDIRS52021
AUDIS52021

 


12 Associated Documents

Recall 573 Report-Amendment 1

RCLRPT-20V737-8020.PDF 217.003KB

 


Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V737-6479.pdf 304.44KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-20V737-6869.pdf 1522.537KB

 


Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V737-2864.PDF 216.998KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-1

RCLQRT-20V737-6442.PDF 211.163KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – AUDI Date: January 07, 2021 Repair Available – Safety Recall 97EU / Rear Light Wiring Harness Scuff Protection

RCMN-20V737-5921.pdf 700.561KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-2

RCLQRT-20V737-9273.PDF 211.262KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577) – 97EU Audi Customer

RCONL-20V737-0266.pdf 141.231KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577) – 97EU Audi Customer PRI

RCONL-20V737-3937.pdf 159.443KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Audi Date: December 08, 2020 Advance Notice – Safety Recall 97EU / Rear Light Wiring Harness Scuff Protection

RCMN-20V737-9012.pdf 697.627KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-20V737-5399.pdf 1528.471KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-3

RCLQRT-20V737-9805.PDF 211.348KB

 


Latest Recalls Documents

 


 

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