Second recall for Audi and Porsche after repair done with wrong part

Audi and Porsche are being forced to recall vehicles for a second time after repairs the first time involving around 150,000 cars (June last year) were carried out with incorrect nuts, causing problems with wheel alignment.

Last June, Audi reported that the ‘Rear Axle Suspension Links Nuts Do Not Meet Specifications’. It said the defect was: “One or more nuts which do not meet the specifications may have been fitted on the rear axle suspension links”.

Adding that the remedy was: ‘The affected nuts on the rear axle will be replaced on affected vehicles”.

Audi is recalling 100,000 cars due to the problem including some A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, Q8 and e-tron models built between 2019 and 2021.

According to Audi, it is specifically due to incorrect nuts that did not meet the correct specifications, and these may have been used on the rear axle suspension links.

It appears that the incorrect part can potentially lead to various problems including affecting tyre wear and uncontrollable axle movement. Audi has also said that there have been no deaths or injuries caused by the problem.

Automotive News reported that an Audi spokesperson said: “We could not rule out that the rear axle could suddenly and uncontrollably move in the wrong direction at higher speeds”.

The German motor transport authority (KBA) said: “Due to stress corrosion cracking, there may be increased slack between the axle control arm and the wheel carrier, which restricts driving performance.”

KBA had warned about the resulting misadjusted track settings since last week.

In some cases, a broken nut may result in increased play between the suspension link and the hub carrier, which could negatively impact rear axle wheel alignment.

Audi has said that it discovered that the problem may cause increased and uneven tyre wear on the rear axle and lead to changed vehicle handling. If tyre tread depth is too low, or if the depth varies between tyres, this may affect traction negatively. If a tyre is worn down, this may lead to a sudden loss of tyre pressure.

You can check-out the latest auto vehicle safety recalls at: www.TechTalk.ie/Safety-Recalls.