2018 Audi Allroad

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.

Risk. A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.

I PARKED MY CAR IN ITS USUAL PLACE IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY OFFICE. I PUT IT INTO 'PARK' TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND LEFT AFTER CLICKING THE LOCKED BUTTON. SOME HOURS LATER, I HAPPENED TO NOTICE THAT MY CAR HAD MOVED SOME 60 FEET IN THE PARKING LOT. I WENT TO RETRIEVE THE CAR, MADE SURE THE CAR WAS STILL LOCKED AND THE SIDE MIRRORS RETRACTED, OPENED THE DOOR AND CONFIRMED THE CAR WAS STILL IN THE 'PARK' POSITION AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. I REPARKED AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS I NO LONGER TRUSTED THE 'PARK' POSITION. WHEN MY CAR MOVED, IT BUMPED INTO A COLLEAGUE'S CAR CAUSING SLIGHT DAMAGE. (COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE!) I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE GEARSHIFT AND THAT NHSTA SHOULD BE INFORMED. MY OFFICE KEEPS A MOTION CAMERA ON THE PARKING LOT AND I HAVE A VIDEOTAPE OF THE INCIDENT: MY LEAVING THE CAR; THE CAR SUBSEQUENTLY MOVING A FOOT OR TWO; THEN MOVING SOME 60 FEET AWAY. I CAN PROVIDE THE VIDEOTAPE BUT THIS FORM DOES NOT PERMIT THAT.