Seat-mounted air bag inflators may rupture
Defect Summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 volkswagen tiguan vehicles manufactured january 15, 2015, to january 21, 2015, and 2015 audi q5 vehicles manufactured january 13, 2015, to february 3, 2015. the affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.
Safety Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Corrective Action
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. the recall began july 7, 2016. owners may contact audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. volkswagen's number for this recall is 69m1 (for audi) and 69l9 (for vw).
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. or involving Air Bags.
FAQ: Recall 16V045000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 16V045000?
NHTSA recall 16V045000 was issued by Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. on January 28, 2016. It addresses: Seat-mounted air bag inflators may rupture. The recall affects approximately 734 vehicles, with the defect involving the Air Bags component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 16V045000 or the manufacturer campaign number 69M1 Audi - 69L9 VW. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.