Volkswagen and Audi Recall Over 1,000 Vehicles Due to Seatbelt Defect

Volkswagen and Audi are recalling more than a thousand vehicles from the 2025–2026 model years due to a potential seatbelt defect that could reduce protection in the event of a crash.

Volkswagen Group of America announced the recall after discovering possible damage to the torsion bars in the seatbelt mechanisms of several 2025 Volkswagen and Audi models. The issue was identified by supplier Autoliv on September 5, 2025, and is linked to parts binding within the ball retractor mechanism.

In total, 1,042 vehicles are affected. The recall covers Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R models built between June 25 and July 11, 2025, at the company’s Wolfsburg plant, as well as Audi A5, S5, A6 Sportback e-tron, S6 Sportback e-tron, Q4 e-tron, and Q4 Sportback e-tron.

The defect could compromise the seatbelt’s effectiveness and increase the risk of injury during a collision. Volkswagen reports that no injuries or incidents have been recorded to date. The faulty components were already replaced in production as of August, and owners will receive recall notifications starting November 21.

Both Volkswagen and Audi have posted VIN lookup tools on their official websites, allowing customers to check whether their vehicles are included in the recall.