Thousands of Audi and Subaru Vehicles Recalled Over Potential Power Loss Issues
Although Audi and Subaru might not share many similarities as far as appearances, they have one thing in common — both vehicles are subject to a recent recall in connection with power loss issues. Thousands of vehicles are impacted, spanning across several models and various model years. If you own an Audi or Subaru that was part of a recall, it’s crucial to ensure you take it to the dealership for the fix identified by the manufacturer. In the event the remedy fails and cannot be repaired, it might be time to consider your options under California’s Lemon Law.
What Audi and Subaru Vehicles Are Affected by the Recall?
While both recalls concern power loss in the affected vehicles, this is where the comparison ends. Specifically, Audi found that water spilled in the back seat or from a leaky body seam can make its way into the computer system in the vehicles, causing it to shut down and reduce engine power. Not only can this increase the risk of a crash, serious injuries or fatalities could result in the event of such an accident occurring.
In the Subaru vehicles, the problem that led to the recall stems from a software issue in the transmission control unit. According to the automaker, the defect causes the transmission to engage before the drive chain is secured properly. The issue can cause the chain to slip and break which can result in loss of power — and increase the risk of a crash.
Specifically, the Audi and Subaru vehicles that have been recalled include the following:
- 2021 and 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback models
- 2021 and 2022 Audi SQ5 Sportback models
- 2018 through 2022 Audi Q5 models
- 2018 through 2022 Audi SQ5 models
- 2019 and 2020 Subaru Ascent SUVs
- 2020 Subaru Outback SUVs
- 2020 Subaru Legacy sedans
The Audi recall impacts approximately 289,000 SUVs. Subaru’s announcement affects roughly 200,000 vehicles. Both Volkswagen (Audi’s parent company) and Subaru have stated that they are unaware of any collisions that were caused by the issues.
What Happens if Your Audi or Subaru Was Recalled?
If you own a registered Audi or a Subaru that was subject to the recent recall, you should have received a notice in the mail from the manufacturer. This correspondence is meant to advise you of the problem that was identified in the vehicle and inform you regarding the manufacturer’s remedy. Importantly, the fix must be made by an authorized dealership — vehicle owners incur no cost for these repairs. The letter will also state when the remedy will be available to consumers and how long it will take to carry out.
To address the flaw found in the Audi vehicles, an authorized dealership will fit a cover in the affected vehicles that protects the computers, as well as seal an underbody seam. Consumers can contact Audi customer service at 800-253-2834 for more information concerning the recall and reference Audi’s internal recall number, 90S9. The recall number issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is 21V947000.
Subaru dealers will reprogram the transmission control unit and inspect the data for chain slippage. Following a visual inspection of the transmission parts, the transmission will be replaced if evidence of slippage or damage is found. Owners can contact customer service at 844-373-6614 for additional information, referencing Subaru’s internal number for the recall, WRK-21. The NHTSA’s campaign number for the recall is 21V955, or 19V855 for the Ascent.
If you aren’t certain whether your vehicle was part of the recall, you can also check the NHTSA’s website. By entering your vehicle’s VIN in the search bar, you can find out whether there is an open recall affecting your car. The search option also reveals unrepaired vehicles impacted by a recall within the prior 15 years.
Does the Recall Mean Your Car is a Lemon?
Just because your vehicle was recalled doesn’t automatically mean it’s a lemon. There are strict criteria under California’s Lemon Law that must be satisfied in order to obtain a refund or replacement vehicle. The vehicle must still be under the original manufacturer’s warranty and fail to conform to it. Critically, the vehicle must have a substantial defect that impairs its safety or value.
Vehicle owners must provide dealerships with a reasonable opportunity to make repairs before filing a lemon law claim. Generally, four repair attempts are considered by courts to be sufficient. Only two trips to the repair shop are necessary if the nonconformity could cause injury or harm to the driver, their passengers, or others on the road. A vehicle can also qualify as a lemon if it remained in the repair shop for a total of 30 days or more and was not fixed.
When a vehicle has been recalled, the defect is usually remedied with a replacement part, software update, or other fix. Typically, a recall issue can be resolved with one trip to the dealership. However, if the recall fix failed or caused more problems in the vehicle, you may be able to pursue a legal claim.
Notably, a vehicle is presumed to be a lemon if a defect that cannot be repaired arose before the first 18,000 miles were driven or within 18 months of delivery. This legal presumption can make it even easier for consumers to bring a lemon law claim and obtain the remedy they are entitled.
Contact an Experienced Southern California Lemon Law Attorney
Learning that your vehicle has been recalled can be stressful — and if the manufacturer’s remedy fails, you may experience even more hassle and inconvenience. In such cases, it’s best to have the guidance of an experienced lemon law attorney who can advise you regarding your legal rights and options. The attorneys at The Ledbetter Law Firm are committed to helping clients achieve favorable outcomes in their lemon law cases.
The Ledbetter Law Firm provides clients throughout Southern California with reliable representation to help ensure they secure the refund or replacement vehicle they deserve from the manufacturer. With offices conveniently located in Torrance and San Diego, California, telephone and video conferencing options are also available. Call (310) 878-0067 to schedule a consultation with a California Lemon Law attorney today.
