Volkswagen and Audi Issue Recalls for Tire Pressure Monitoring System Problem
These vehicles will need a software update to fix the problem
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
By Keith Barry
Volkswagen and Audi are recalling nearly 225,000 cars and SUVs to fix a faulty tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may take too long to detect a loss of tire pressure if all four tires lose pressure at the same time and at the same rate.
As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, which relates to tire pressure monitoring systems. In documents provided to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Volkswagen says that the TPMS system will still warn drivers of unsafe tire pressure, even if the timing of the warning does not comply with federal safety standards. (Audi is owned by the Volkswagen Group.)
Recalled vehicles include the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV, Volkswagen Golf and Golf Alltrack station wagons, Volkswagen Golf R hatchback, Audi A7 sedan, Audi Q3 SUV, and Audi A3 convertible; 2019 and 2022 Volkswagen Jetta sedan, Volkswagen Golf hatchback, Volkswagen Atlas SUV, Audi A7 sedan, and Audi A3 sedan; 2020 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SUV; and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas SUV.
The problem is fixable through a software update. Volkswagen told NHTSA that it is not aware of any warranty claims, injuries, or crashes related to the issue.
In 2020, Volkswagen petitioned NHTSA to rule this defect as inconsequential, claiming it would not pose an unreasonable safety risk. If NHTSA had done so, Volkswagen would not have had to issue a recall. However, NHTSA denied the automaker’s petition in October, and the vehicles are now being recalled.
Learn more about car recalls at CR’s guide to recalls.
2019 Volkswagen Golf
Photo: Volkswagen
The Details
Vehicles Recalled
• Audi A3 sedans manufactured between Nov. 26, 2018, and Jan. 24, 2020
• Audi A3 convertibles manufactured between Nov. 26, 2018, and July 12, 2019
• Audi Q3 SUVs manufactured between May 21, 2019, and July 30, 2019
• Volkswagen Atlas SUVs manufactured between Nov. 27, 2018, and Jan. 17, 2020
• Volkswagen Atlas SUVs manufactured on Apr. 28, 2021
• Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SUVs manufactured between Apr. 19, 2019, and Feb. 25, 2021
• Volkswagen Golf hatchbacks and Golf Alltrack station wagons manufactured between Nov. 26, 2018, and Oct. 25, 2019
• Volkswagen Golf R hatchbacks manufactured between Jan. 25, 2019, and Aug. 19, 2019
• Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen station wagons manufactured between Nov. 26, 2018, and Aug. 27, 2019
• Volkswagen Jetta sedans manufactured between Nov. 26, 2018, and Oct. 23, 2019
• Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs manufactured between Nov. 28, 2018, and Aug. 17, 2019
The problem: Due to a software error, if all four tires deflate at the same time and at the same rate, the TPMS warning may not illuminate in time to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards.
The fix: Volkswagen and Audi dealerships will perform a free software update that resolves the problem.
How to contact the manufacturer: The automakers will contact owners of affected vehicles by mail starting Dec. 30, 2022. Owners may also contact Volkswagen at 800-893-5298 or Audi at 800-253-2834.
NHTSA campaign number: 22V815. Audi’s own number for this recall is 45J7, and Volkswagen’s numbers are 45J6 and 45J8.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has had a recall issued.
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