Safety Recall 69BM / Door Crash Sensor(s) – 2021 Audi A6 Allroad, Q7, RS6 & RS7

December 2, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V749000

Faulty Side Impact Crash Sensor In Front Doors

A detached connector can delay the activation of the restraint systems, including the side air bag, curtain air bag and/or seat-belt pretensioners during a side impact crash, increasing the risk of injury.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V749

Manufacturer VolkswageneBay logo Group of America, Inc.

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS

Potential Number of Units Affected 166

 

Summary

VolkswageneBay logo Group of America, Inc. (AudieBay logo) is recalling certain 2021 AudieBay logo A6 Allroad, Q7, RS6 and RS7 vehicles. The electrical connector can detach from the door crash sensor in either of the front doors.

 

Remedy

AudieBay logo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, replace the crash sensors in both front doors, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact AudieBay logo customer service at 1-800-253-2834. AudieBay logo’s number for this recall is 69BM.

 

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

 


Problem Description

Faulty sensor housings may have been used during the production of the door crash sensors at the supplier. As a result, the locking mechanism for the electrical connector on the crash sensor may be impaired and the electrical connector may become detached. In unfavorable circumstances while the vehicle is moving, the electrical connector may become detached from the crash sensor. If this happens in the event of a side crash, the restraint systems for the side of the vehicle may react slower. This may lead to an increased risk of injury in a side crash due to a delayed activation of the side airbag, curtain airbag and/or seat-belt pretensioner as the system has to rely on two other crash sensors only.

 

Corrective Action

Inspect and, if necessary, replace the affected door crash sensor(s).

 

Precautions

If the electrical connector becomes detached from the crash sensor while driving, it will turn on the airbag indicator light. Customers are advised not to ignore vehicle warning/indicator lights and should contact their authorized AudieBay logo dealer and arrange for vehicle inspection/repair in the event the airbag indicator light comes on while driving.

 

Code Visibility

On or about December 15, 2020, the campaign code will be applied to affected vehicles.

 

Owner Notification

Owner notification will take place in December 2020. Owner letter examples are included in this bulletin for your reference.

 

Repair Overview

  • Inspect left and right Front Passenger Thorax Airbag Crash Sensors -G179/G180- and replace if necessary.

 

Door Panel Disassembly and Crash Sensor Inspection

NOTE

  • The following steps describe work on the left side doors.
  • Both front door trim panels require removal.
  • Both front Passenger Thorax Airbag Crash Sensors must be inspected.
  • Work on the right side will be similar.

 

Removing front door panels:

Q7 Models:

Remove decorative trim:

  • Unclip the trim <1> using the -T10383/1- <arrow>, disengage the trim at the door trim panel and remove it.

 

Remove bolts:

  • Remove bolts <arrows>.

 

A6, RS6 and RS7 Models:

Remove decorative trim:

  • Starting at the front unclip the decorative trim <1> using a wedge from the -VAS6845- in direction of <arrow A>.

 

TIP

So that the rear retainers on the decorative trim are not damaged, the decorative trim must be held parallel to the door trim panel when removing.

 

  • Remove the remaining clips <B arrows> and the decorative trim from the door trim panel.
  • Pivot the decorative trim inward and remove it from the door trim panel <arrow C>.
  • Disconnect the connectors, if equipped.

 

Remove mid-range speaker trim:

  • Insert the -3409- between the door trim panel and the midrange speaker trim.
  • Unclip the midrange speaker trim <1> from the door trim panel in direction of <arrow>, to do this turn the -3409- on its axis.
  • Unclip the remaining tabs from the door trim panel and remove the speaker trim.

 

Remove bolts:

  • Remove bolts <arrows>.

 

All models:

Unclip door panel:

  • Using the -T10383-, unclip the door trim panel at the lower rear section in a radius beginning from the rear section in a radius by inserting the wedge between the door trim panel and the door near the clips in direction of <arrow>.
  • Unclip the remaining clips along the door trim panel from the door.

 

Remove door panel:

  • Pull the door trim panel <1> slightly off the door all the way around.
  • The clips must not be left inside the door.
  • Push the door trim panel upward and disengage it from the door at the window shaft in direction of <arrows>.
  • Pry out the door trim panel upward from the clamp <2>.

 

CAUTION

Risk of damaging the operating cable by deforming it.

Never sharply bend or kink the operating cable.

 

Disconnect release cable:

  • Carefully unclip the release cable <4> from the interior door mechanism <3> in direction of <arrow> at the same time the catches <2 and 5> are loosened.
  • Disengage the release cable nipple <1> from the interior door mechanism.

 

Disconnect door control module:

  • Disconnect the connectors <1 and 3> from the door control module <2> by pressing the release.
  • Remove the door trim panel.

 

Inspecting airbag crash sensors:

WARNING

There is a risk of injury.

Pyrotechnical components can deploy unintentionally.

Discharge static electricity by briefly touching the door striker.

 

  • Ignition must be turned off.
  • BOTH front crash sensors must be inspected.
  • Disconnect the connector to the crash sensor.
  • Inspect the airbag crash sensor connector locking tabs <arrows>:
  • If both locking tabs are intact and not damaged:
    • No further work is required.
    • Proceed to Section C for reassembly instructions.
  • If either locking tab is damaged or missing:
    • The crash sensor must be replaced.
    • Proceed to the next step.

 

Replacing crash sensor:

WARNING

There is a risk of injury.

Pyrotechnical components can deploy unintentionally.

Discharge static electricity by briefly touching the door striker.

 

  • Release the catch <2> and crash sensor <3> approximately 45° counter-clockwise in direction of <arrows>.
  • Disengage the thorax airbag crash sensor from the door and remove.

 

CAUTION

Risk of malfunction of the crash sensor (pressure) due to leaks.

Make sure that the door does not have leaks.

 

  • Install the new sensor in the reverse order of removal.
  • Make sure the seal on the sensor is seated correctly. Replace the crash sensor if seal is damaged or deformed.

 

WARNING

There is a risk of injury.

Pyrotechnical components can deploy unintentionally.

Discharge static electricity by briefly touching the door striker.

 

Engage the thorax airbag crash sensor in the door.

  • Turn the locking mechanism for the crash sensor clockwise.
  • The tabs must engage audibly.
  • Connect and lock the connector.
  • Ensure wires are not pinched.

 



4 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
AUDIA62021
AUDIQ72021
AUDIRS62021
AUDIRS72021

 


10 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V749-2011.pdf 244.023KB

 


Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V749-9474.PDF 217.618KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Audi Date: December 14, 2020 Repair Available – Safety Recall 69BM / Door Crash Sensor(s)

RCMN-20V749-9858.pdf 697.696KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-20V749-2783.pdf 1240.832KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577) – 69BM Audi Customer PRI

RCONL-20V749-4839.pdf 156.361KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577) – 69BM Audi Customer

RCONL-20V749-1530.pdf 139.367KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-1

RCLQRT-20V749-2512.PDF 211.256KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-2

RCLQRT-20V749-9751.PDF 211.335KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-4

RCLQRT-20V749-7080.PDF 211.157KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2021-3

RCLQRT-20V749-1604.PDF 211.443KB

 


Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V749&docType=RCL

 


 

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