The 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet has 4 recalls, all involving frontal airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger sides that can rupture or explode during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin with the potential to cause serious injury or death.
Both the driver-side and passenger-side frontal airbag inflators are affected. When either airbag deploys in a crash, excessive internal pressure can cause the inflator to burst apart rather than inflate the bag normally. The result is metal fragments that can strike the driver or any occupant in the path of the blast. Because multiple filings cover the same underlying inflator defect from different angles, the total recall count is four, but the physical danger is the same in each case: a part meant to protect occupants in a crash becomes a source of projectiles inside the vehicle. Both the driver-side and passenger-side inflators carry this risk, meaning any frontal collision severe enough to trigger airbag deployment puts all front-seat occupants at risk from the inflators themselves rather than from the crash forces alone.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during a crash. The inflator's propellant can degrade after prolonged exposure to humidity and temperature changes, causing it to rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may build up excessive internal pressure and explode when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag inflator with a new one at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no charge when parts become available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may rupture due to excessive internal pressure when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
