German companies may have an exceptional reputation for precision engineering and manufacture, but even the best of them are not immune to the possibility of making faulty products and components. Audi exemplifies this point perfectly with its latest recall of almost 140,000 vehicles. The recent news article on Consumer Reports states that the recall involves a faulty airbag sensor that may cause an issue with deployment. If you have been injured due to this defective product then you certainly have a lawsuit on your hands.
Details of the Audi Airbag Recall
The Audi recall affects 139,249 sedans of different models. These include the A6 and A7 from 2012 to 2018, the S6 and S7 from 2013 to 2018, and the RS7 from 2014 to 2018. The vehicles affected in the recall are the ones with standard seats. The units that come with upgraded seats are not involved.
The component that will be replaced in the recall is the passenger occupant detection system. This is the component that detects the presence of a person sitting in the front passenger seat. This component is vulnerable to wear. When the sensors have become worn there is a possibility that it would not deploy the airbag as it was designed to do.
Drivers may also notice signs that their vehicle need this repair immediately. One sign of this malfunction is if the airbag warning light illuminates. Another indicator is if someone is sitting in the front passenger seat and the airbag indicator light still indicates that the airbag is turned off.
The recall will begin on July 31 of this year (2018). The repair will include the installation of the improved and more reliable sensor as replacement for the defective original components. The Audi dealers will perform this replacement free of charge. If you drive an Audi, you can look this up by entering your VIN number into their website.
The Hazards of Faulty Sensors and Defective Airbags
No report has yet surfaced regarding any injuries as a result of the faulty Audi airbag sensor. However, this is not the first case of an air-bag related recall, and such defaults can lead to serious injuries. In the event of a car crash, the failure of an airbag to deploy can result in catastrophic or even fatal injuries. It is also possible that an airbag can deploy accidentally for no apparent reason, and such an incident can lead to injuries as well.
Consumer Options
If you drive an Audi—or any type of passenger vehicle for that matter—it’s your responsibility to keep track of all recalls that affect your vehicle’s make and model. This is especially true if it involves a key safety component such as your airbags. Airbags are crucial as they can save lives and minimize the severity of your injuries in case of a car crash. Sometimes when a car crash occurs, the airbags are the problem and that is where the root of the lawsuit is coming from.
If you have gotten into an accident and your airbag did not perform as expected, you should talk to an experienced auto defect lawyer so that together you can examine your legal options. You may be able to file suit and claim damages that can help pay for your medical bills and lost wages.