Audi to recall nearly 600,000 vehicles over two separate issues

German carmaker Audi today issued a recall for nearly 600,000 vehicles over faulty coolant pumps and issues related to airbags.

owned by Volkswagen, is recalling 342,000 turbocharged A5 coupes and convertibles, and turbocharged Q5 SUVs from 2013 to 2017 model years because debris could block the coolant pump, which could lead to overheating and fire in the engine.

Separately, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that it had received reports from Audi in 2015 and 2016 of instances of localised overheating and smouldering in the engine compartment as a result of blockage near the coolant pump.

"In certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0L TFSI engine, the coolant pump could become locked by debris from the cooling system, which can lead to the pump overheating and the risk of a vehicle fire," the NHTSA said.

The carmaker said that it will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software that will cut the power supply to the coolant pump if overheating is detected.

Audi is also recalling 234,000 2011 to 2017 Q5 SUVs because water leaking from the sunroof can soak into the foam and corrode the airbag inflator, leading to a fractured canister that may suddenly deploy the airbag and send fragments into the vehicle that could cause injuries.

This recall does not involve Takata airbag inflators.

If the water drainage system of the panoramic sunroof becomes damaged or impaired, e.g., during a repair, water could enter the side head curtain airbag canister," the NHTSA said.

"Due to a foam that is touching the airbag inflator, moisture could cause corrosion on the airbag inflator over time. If this happens, the airbag canister could fracture without airbag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants."

Audi had reported several unexpected airbag deployments of this type to the NHTSA, and the carmaker will disassemble and inspect the water drainage system for the sunroof and the side curtain airbag canisters.

Depending on the presence of water corrosion on the inflator, the inflator will either be replaced or sealed with wax.