2021 Audi Q7 Air Bag Control Module Software Recall (21V078)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 26,967 vehicles · Reported February 17, 2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling 26,967 2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. The air bag control module may deploy the second stage of the front passenger air bag too quickly after the first stage when the seat is occupied by an unbelted child. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." During a crash necessitating the deployment of the passenger air bag, the second stage may deploy too quickly when a child is in the front passenger seat, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V078 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V078000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 69BV |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 17, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021 Audi Q7 |
| Units affected | 26,967 |
| Component | Air Bags > Air Bag / Restraint Control Module > Software |
| Safety risk | During a crash necessitating the deployment of the passenger air bag, the second stage may deploy too quickly when a child is in the front passenger seat, increasing the risk of injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Audi Q7 in recall 21V078?
The air bag control module may deploy the second stage of the front passenger air bag too quickly after the first stage when the seat is occupied by an unbelted child.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. The air bag control module may deploy the second stage of the front passenger air bag too quickly after the first stage when the seat is occupied by an unbelted child. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Q7 with recall 21V078?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: During a crash necessitating the deployment of the passenger air bag, the second stage may deploy too quickly when a child is in the front passenger seat, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: During a crash necessitating the deployment of the passenger air bag, the second stage may deploy too quickly when a child is in the front passenger seat, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the software.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V078?
Recall 21V078 covers 26,967 vehicles: 2021 Audi Q7.
NHTSA lists 26,967 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Audi | Q7 |
What is the fix for the Q7 air bag control module software recall?
Yes. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module, free of charge.
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2021. Owners can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BV.
When was recall 21V078 announced?
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. reported recall 21V078 to NHTSA on February 17, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 17, 2021 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V078000. |
This recall was filed 68 months ago. If your Q7 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Q7 is part of recall 21V078?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V078 is open on your Q7, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V078000 is open on your Q7, it will be listed there, along with Audi recall number 69BV. You can also ask any Audi dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Q7 owners do about recall 21V078?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V078000 applies to your Q7.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Audi dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any software symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Q7 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the air bags.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the air bags have been filed since recall 21V078 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 75 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the air bags. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Audi Q7: 75 complaints in total, 0 about the air bags
Can recall 21V078 make my Q7 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this software recall means their Q7 qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Air bag defects are hidden until the moment they matter most. A recall repair may replace an inflator or sensor, but if warning lights return or the system faults again, that is a repeat repair for a safety defect.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Audi Q7 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Q7 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Audi Q7 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V078
Is the 21V078000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Q7 is part of recall 21V078000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
What if my air bag light stays on after the recall repair?
Go back to the dealer. A warning light that returns means the system may not deploy correctly, and the visit is another repair attempt for a safety defect.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V078000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Audi. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.