Volkswagen Engine Recall Affects More Than 89,000 Audi Vehicles: NHTSA

Manufacturer is recalling certain Audi Q5 vehicles after receiving thousands of warranty claims related to engine oil leaks.

Federal highway safety officials announced a recall of 89,417 Volkswagen Audi vehicles due to loose screws that may not have been properly tightened during assembly, potentially causing mechanical issues or safety concerns under the hood.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Volkswagen Audi recall on May 9, warning that screws connected to the engine’s cylinder head may loosen over time, potentially causing oil leaks that increase the risk of an engine fire.

Cylinder head screws fasten the cylinder head to the engine block, helping seal the top of the engine to form the combustion chamber. The cylinder head controls airflow in and out of the engine, while the engine block is the main structure that houses the cylinders where fuel is burned to create power.

If the cylinder head isn’t securely fastened to the engine block, oil can leak onto nearby hot surfaces. As the engine heats up, the leaking oil may reach high temperatures and ignite, creating a serious fire hazard and increasing the risk of injury.

While the recall report (PDF) does not indicate any injuries or deaths related to the issue, Volkswagen has received 2,539 warranty claims for oil leaks and reports of 11 fires, which may be related to the problem.

Audi began investigating oil leak complaints in May 2023, after reports that oil was seeping from the cylinder head covers in certain vehicles. By July, engineers traced the problem to manufacturing defects, specifically burrs on screws that damaged the sealing surface and led to reduced torque and oil leakage over time.

Although manufacturing changes were introduced between August 2023 and January 2024, oil leak reports continued. Dealers were instructed to inspect and replace any loose cylinder head cover screws. From January to April 2024, Audi conducted full engine analyses and identified several fire incidents potentially linked to improperly tightened screws. This led to a supplier change and a review of the screw installation process.

After a spike in oil leak and fire-related claims in late 2024, Audi formed a task force to re-examine the issue. On April 30, 2025, the Audi Product Safety Committee approved a recall for 2022 through 2024 Audi Q5 and Q5 Sportback models.

Customers will begin receiving notification letters on July 8, 2025, with instructions on how to schedule a free inspection and replacement of the screws as necessary. 

Any vehicle owners who have already had this repair performed at their own expense prior to receiving the Audi recall notification may be eligible for reimbursement.

Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 15ZK. Customers may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834, or the company’s contact for this recall, Dusty Gardner, via email at dusty.gardner@dot.gov.

Owners with any additional questions may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-888-275-9171), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.