2021 Audi S6 Air Bag Recall (21V159)

Recall 21V159 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Audi S6 in recall 21V159?

The score line on the passenger air bag may not have been manufactured correctly.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS6 Avant, RS7, 2020-2021 A6 Allroad, S6 Sedan, S7, 2019-2021 A6 Sedan, and A7 vehicles. The score line on the passenger air bag may not have been manufactured correctly.

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 S6 with recall 21V159?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An incorrectly manufactured air bag may not deploy properly, and could also eject plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: An incorrectly manufactured air bag may not deploy properly, and could also eject plastic debris into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your S6 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the air bags, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V159?

Recall 21V159 covers 3,421 vehicles: 2021 Audi A6; 2021 Audi A6 Allroad; 2021 Audi A7; 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant; 2021 Audi RS 7; 2021 Audi S6; 2021 Audi S7.

NHTSA lists 3,421 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the S6 air bag recall?

Yes. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the passenger air bag score line, and repair it as necessary, free of charge.

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the passenger air bag score line, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall begin March 26, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70i2.

When was recall 21V159 announced?

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. reported recall 21V159 to NHTSA on March 10, 2021.

This recall was filed 67 months ago. If your S6 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my S6 is part of recall 21V159?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V159 is open on your S6, it will be listed there.

Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V159000 is open on your S6, it will be listed there, along with Audi recall number 70i2. 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 S6 owners do about recall 21V159?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V159000 applies to your S6.
2. Call a Audi dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Keep a simple log of any air bags symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are S6 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 43 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 21V159 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 43 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 A6: 17 complaints in total, 0 about the air bags
• 2021 Audi A6 Allroad: 9 complaints in total, 0 about the air bags
• 2021 Audi A7: 6 complaints in total, 0 about the air bags
• 2021 Audi RS 7: 4 complaints in total, 0 about the air bags
• 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant: 4 complaints in total, 0 about the air bags
• 2021 Audi S7: 3 complaints in total, 0 about the air bags
• 2021 Audi S6: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the air bags

Can recall 21V159 make my S6 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.

Recall 21V159000 does not automatically make your S6 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (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 S6 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the S6 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to 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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 21V159