2019–2021 Audi (19 models) Suspension Recall 21V295000 (Audi 42L1)

NHTSA recall 21V295000 (Audi recall 42L1) covers about 40,993 2019–2021 Audi (19 models) vehicles (suspension), filed with NHTSA Apr 26, 2021. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory.

Source: NHTSA campaign 21V295000 · Data as of Nov 6, 2026 · By CarWhere Research

40,993
vehicles affected (potential)
2019–2021
model years
Apr 26, 2021
filed with NHTSA
None
NHTSA advisory

What's recalled

Component: Suspension (rear, axle, non-powered axle assembly)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.

The risk

A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy and its status

Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.

Status: NHTSA lists Jun 4, 2021 as the owner-notification date for this campaign.

Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Audi recall number 42L1

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number for 21V295000 as 42L1. Owner letters and dealer service departments often use this code, so a search for "42L1 recall" refers to the same campaign.

Affected models and years

Models and model years NHTSA lists for this campaign. Not every vehicle of a listed model and year is included; check by VIN.

VehicleModel yearsMore
Audi A42020–2021All A4 recalls
Audi A52019–2021All A5 recallsYears to avoid
Audi A62020–2021All A6 recallsYears to avoid
Audi A72020–2021All A7 recallsYears to avoid
Audi A82020–2021All A8 recallsYears to avoid
Audi Q52020–2021All Q5 recallsYears to avoid
Audi Q72021All Q7 recallsYears to avoid
Audi Q82021All Q8 recalls
Audi Rs 52019–2021—
Audi Rs 6 Avant2021—
Audi Rs 72021—
Audi Rs Q82021—
Audi S42020–2021—
Audi S52019–2021All S5 recalls
Audi S5 Cabriolet2020–2021—
Audi S62020–2021—
Audi S72020–2021—
Audi S82020–2021—
Audi SQ52020–2021—

Key dates

Report filed with NHTSA
Apr 26, 2021
Owner notification
Jun 4, 2021
Recall initiated by
the manufacturer
Filed by
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Check your VIN for 21V295000

  1. Find the 17-character VIN on the driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the door-jamb sticker, or your registration.
  2. Enter it in NHTSA's free VIN recall lookup. It shows every open recall on that exact vehicle, including this one if it applies and hasn't been repaired.
  3. If 21V295000 is open, call any Audi dealer's service department and give them the recall number (21V295000 or 42L1). The repair is free.

Not sure of the exact model or year? Decode it first with the free VIN decoder.

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 21V295000?

NHTSA recall 21V295000 (Audi recall 42L1) covers about 40,993 2019–2021 Audi (19 models) vehicles (suspension), filed with NHTSA Apr 26, 2021. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. It covers certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles.

Is it safe to drive a vehicle with recall 21V295000?

NHTSA's record for 21V295000 carries no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. The risk NHTSA lists is: "A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash." Get the free repair as soon as it is available for your vehicle.

How do I know if my vehicle is affected by 21V295000?

Only a VIN lookup can tell you. Not every vehicle of the listed models and years is included, and repaired vehicles drop off. Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's free recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Audi dealer to check it.

What is the fix for recall 21V295000, and is it free?

NHTSA's record says: "Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge." NHTSA lists Jun 4, 2021 as the owner-notification date for this campaign. Safety-recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.

What is the Audi recall number for 21V295000?

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number as 42L1. Dealers and owner letters often use that code (42L1) instead of the NHTSA campaign number 21V295000.

Sources and method

  • NHTSA recall record for 21V295000, from NHTSA's public recall campaign database. Problem, risk and remedy text is NHTSA's own wording.
  • "Vehicles affected" is NHTSA's potential-units-affected count for the whole campaign.
  • Data as of Nov 6, 2026. NHTSA updates campaigns as manufacturers file amendments, so check the official record for the latest.

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