Volkswagen issues recall on thousands of Audi vehicles in Canada

Owners of certain Audi models are being urged to check if their vehicles are included in a major nationwide recall due to a safety issue.

On May 7, Transport Canada stated that Volkswagen, which owns Audi, is recalling thousands of Audi vehicles due to engine problems.

The recall states, "On certain vehicles, the screws for the cylinder head cover could loosen and cause an oil leak. Oil that leaks onto hot components can create the risk of a fire."

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that it received 33 complaints. It further explained that the cylinder head cover screws "may have been improperly tightened."

Transport Canada's recall notice didn't state if there had been any reported incidents in the country; however, 16,863 affected Audi SUVs are part of the recall. In the U.S., Volkswagen is recalling an estimated 89,417 Audi SUVs.

How to check if your vehicle is affected

Transport Canada says the manufacturer is contacting vehicle owners to fix the issue.

"Audi will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace and tighten the cylinder head cover screws," reads the notice.

The recall affects the 2022, 2023, and 2024 models of the Audi Q5 SUVs. The number for this recall is 15ZK. For more information, contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Performance issues have resulted in two proposed class action lawsuits against another car manufacturer.

In April, law firm Charney Lawyers PC launched a class action lawsuit against Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited on behalf of eligible Canadians. The lawsuit alleges that certain Ford vehicles equipped with a 10R80 10-speed Transmission have been "linked to significant operational issues."

In May, the law firm filed another lawsuit against the car manufacturer, alleging that Ford manufactured, distributed, advertised, and authorized its dealer network to sell the affected vehicles "despite being aware of the existence of the defects with batteries." The lawsuit has yet to be certified.