Audi Seatbelt Snafu Prompts Small Recall

Audi is calling back a relatively small number of vehicles because of a serious safety problem.

Fewer than 100 cars may be equipped with malfunctioning seatbelts, the company recently told federal auto safety regulators. The seatbelts could detach in the event of an accident, according to Audi.

“In a crash, a missing safety belt rivet can cause the safety belt to malfunction, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant,” the company said in a recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall covers certain 2025 Audi RS Q8, Q8, Q7 and SQ8 models. Audi says a supplier is to blame: the cars’ seatbelts were missing a component when they were installed. 

“A rivet that secures the safety belt buckle to the driver's or front passenger's safety belt stalk may be missing,” the company said.

Audi plans to notify owners of recalled cars via mail by Jan. 9. Owners can, in the meantime, check the NHTSA website to see if their vehicles are included in the recall.

The company will ask owners to bring their cars to authorized service providers for inspection and repair, replacing the front driver and passenger seatbelts.

Audi Safety Issues

This is just one of several safety issues for Audi, parent company Volkswagen AG and people who drive their cars.

The company in March said it was calling back Audi A6 sedans whose instrument panels may go blank unexpectedly. “ An instrument panel that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash,” the company acknowledged in NHTSA filings.

Months earlier, Audi recalled certain A7 plug-in hybrids, citing fire risks. The cars’ high-voltage batteries could overheat and go up in flames, the automaker said.

California Lemon Law Rights for Audi Drivers

Audi and other car owners and lessors in California have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law.

The law, known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, requires manufacturers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces manufacturers to buy back (or replace, in some situations) cars that they cannot or will not fix.

The buyback requirement includes compensating the owner for any down payment on the car, as well as for monthly loan payments and the outstanding balance on any loan. The manufacturer is also responsible for towing, rental car and other related expenses. 

A manufacturer can instead offer to replace the vehicle, but it is up to the owner to accept or reject the alternative. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Talk with a Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a Los Angeles lemon law attorney.