Audi Recalls Sedans Amid Yearlong Investigation Into Stalling Issues

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Audi Sedan Turbocharger Recall Overview:

• Who: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2013-2017 A8, S6 Sedan, S7, S8 and 2014-2017 RS7 vehicles. 
• Why: The turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.
• Where: The recall is nationwide.

After a yearlong investigation by federal safety agents, Audi is recalling more than 26,000 sedans due to an issue that can cause the vehicles to stall without warning while in motion.

The recall notice was issued Mar. 23 on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website and applies to some A8, RS7, S6, S7 and S8 sedans from the 2013-2017 model years.

According to the NHTSA, the vehicles’ turbocharger oil supply strainer can become blocked, causing wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication.

“Worn bearings can cause the turbine wheel to contact the turbocharger housing or cause the shaft to break, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash,” the recall notice states.

Only those with 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged engines are included in the recall, which affects 26,053 vehicles.

Audi has received 1,889 warranty claims and 47 field reports related to the problem since April 2017, according to NHTSA documents.

In February the automaker also extended the warranty period for the turbocharger to 10 years or 120,000 miles.

Dealers will replace the oil strainer and perform an oil change, free of charge, the company said. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 20, 2022. 

Audi Stalling Problem Due to Poor Design in Oil Strainer

The Audi stalling problem is due to a poorly designed oil strainer that allows oil and carbon deposits to build up, blocking oil from reaching the turbocharger bearings, NHTSA documents show.

If the turbocharger isn’t lubricated, it could fail. In addition to stalling, owners may also notice that the oil, Electronic Power Control or check engine warning lights are displayed on the dashboard. The engine may take longer to turn over when starting, have a rough idle when the vehicle is stopped or feel like it’s losing power when the car is in motion.

The Office of Defects Investigation said it has received 58 complaints and a number of field reports for 2013-2016 Audi vehicle models A8, S6, S7, S8 and RS7. The complaints allege that the vehicle stalls suddenly with no prior warning while driving on the highway or in city traffic. Several of the complaints alleged an inability to restart.

The company is not currently facing legal action over the recall, but Top Class Actions follows recalls closely as they sometimes end in class action lawsuits.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen is facing a class action lawsuit alleging it concealed a gateway control module defect that causes some Audi vehicles to shut down unexpectedly even while they are being driven.

Have you had an issue with your Audi? Let us know in the comments!

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