The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 16V-078 (16V078000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Component | Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module |
| Report date | February 10, 2016 |
| Owners notified | March 10, 2017 |
| Vehicles affected | 659,493 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
- 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet
- 2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet
- 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet
- 2009 Audi Q5
- 2010 Audi Q5
- 2011 Audi Q5
- 2012 Audi Q5
- 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet
- 2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet
- 2012 Audi S5 Cabriolet
- 2009 Volkswagen CC
- 2010 Volkswagen CC
- 2011 Volkswagen CC
- 2012 Volkswagen CC
- 2013 Volkswagen CC
- 2014 Volkswagen CC
- 2012 Volkswagen Eos
- 2013 Volkswagen Eos
- 2014 Volkswagen Eos
- 2010 Volkswagen Golf
- 2011 Volkswagen Golf
- 2012 Volkswagen Golf
- 2013 Volkswagen Golf
- 2014 Volkswagen Golf
- 2010 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
- 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
- 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
- 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
- 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
- 2007 Volkswagen Passat
- 2008 Volkswagen Passat
- 2009 Volkswagen Passat
- 2010 Volkswagen Passat
- 2012 Volkswagen Passat
- 2013 Volkswagen Passat
- 2014 Volkswagen Passat
Owner complaints about the air bags
- 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet airbag problems 15
- 2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet airbag problems 12
- 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet airbag problems 13
- 2009 Audi Q5 airbag problems 16
- 2010 Audi Q5 airbag problems 50
- 2011 Audi Q5 airbag problems 67
- 2012 Audi Q5 airbag problems 85
- 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet airbag problems 2
- 2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet airbag problems 2
- 2009 Volkswagen CC airbag problems 59
- 2010 Volkswagen CC airbag problems 84
- 2011 Volkswagen CC airbag problems 32
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 16V-078 repair free?
Yes. Audi dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 659,493 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.