What fails in this scenario
On certain S5 Sportback MY2021 belts, automatic locking ALR can deactivate before full webbing retraction. Locking/clicking stops prematurely when a child seat is secured by belt. The stated cause is dimensional deviation of ALR levers in a defined production cohort.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part573 Safety Recall Report21V-606 / Audi69CS
What the defect does not mean
21V-606 explicitly distinguishes ALR from normal adult belt use and child-seat attachment through LATCH. This cannot become all S5 belts do not work. It also does not describe crash pretensioner activation.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part573 Safety Recall Report21V-606 / Audi69CS
After a crash, accessible webbing, retractor, mountings and other components need separate appropriate inspection. An ALR functional fault and a visible webbing cut need different repair grounds. Checking one function does not replace the complete post-crash belt inspection.
What to ask the workshop
Identify which belt/seat position was checked, whether early ALR deactivation was confirmed and how the installed assembly was identified. Webbing appearance or an invoice number does not identify production batch. Child-seat use requires the actual vehicle and seat instructions.
The remedy inspects specified belts/positions and replaces as necessary. Affected and corrected production can share part numbers, so a catalogue number alone cannot establish the relevant cohort.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part573 Safety Recall Report21V-606 / Audi69CS
Vehicle and belt dates differ
The S5 Sportback row specifies MY2021 vehicles from November 20, 2020–March 11, 2021. Suspect Autoliv production is October 26, 2020–January 27, 2021. Coupe/Cabriolet have separate rows.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part573 Safety Recall Report21V-606 / Audi69CS
After cabin/belt changes, identify actually fitted components. Body year cannot fill this gap. Separate ALR checking, belt replacement and checks of other damage so one entry does not hide untested areas.
Applicability to the individual vehicle
- Only specified US S5 Sportback MY2021 cohort; other bodies excluded.
- ALR scenario not extended to every normal belt function or all crash consequences.
Primary sources
Sources checked on . Model or recall information does not establish the condition of an individual VIN.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part573 Safety Recall Report21V-606 / Audi69CS
Applicability and source location
Certain US S5 Sportback MY2021, November 20, 2020–March 11, 2021; specified belts October 26, 2020–January 27, 2021. Coupe/Cabriolet separate.
Page 9: S5 Sportback; page 13: early ALR deactivation, explicit adult/LATCH exclusions; page 17: inspection/conditional belt replacement.
Document date: 2021-08-04. Checked: .