Audi Recalls 173,000 Vehicles Sold in the US

DETROIT, March 23, 2004; Reuters reported that the Audi division of Volkswagen AG (XETRA:VOWG.DE - News) is recalling nearly 173,000 vehicles sold in the United States because of potential fires in the driver's-side dashboard area, federal safety regulators said on Tuesday.

An advisory on the Web site of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the problem, caused by an electrical short, stemmed from a component that was interfering with the headlight switch wiring harness.

NHTSA said 172,866 vehicles affected by the recall included the Audi A6, S6 and Allroad Quattros from the 1998-2004 model years.

Audi has received 19 complaints of dashboard fires in the vehicles subject to the recall, according to NHTSA, but there were no apparent reports of accidents or injuries.

NHTSA Description:

Recall Number: 04V133000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PHYSICAL CONTACT OF THE LEFT DRIVER’S SIDE CRASH ELEMENT WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS COULD RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence:
A FIRE COULD ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT DASHBOARD AREA.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVERING ON THE CRASH ELEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE WIRING HARNESS AS WELL AS THE FELT PROTECTOR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD CARRIER WILL BE CHECKED, AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).