What may be improperly welded
Certain SQ5 MY2020 have reported improper welds on backrest-adjuster parts and frame side member. In a rear impact the mechanism could fail to provide intended restraint. Slight backrest instability/noise may be noticeable, but alone does not prove this defect.
How to investigate play
Identify the actual seat and distinguish backrest movement from whole-seat/mounting movement. Ask the technician to name the mechanism and accessible welds inspected. An upholstery photo or shaking harder is not a proper frame-condition conclusion.
Backrest noise during internal road testing initiated investigation. Audi linked the cohort to mishandled nonconforming supplier parts mixed with accepted parts. Production records and inspection are needed, rather than assuming every noisy SQ5 contains the same part.
When the frame is replaced
The remedy inspects driver/passenger front seats and replaces the backrest frame if the relevant problematic part is found. It does not replace every seat unconditionally. Name findings for each inspected assembly separately.
Record replacement grounds, installed part and post-work checks. A seat replaced invoice does not identify which weld was defective or whether crash loading acted on the seat.
Rear impact needs its own inspection
Post-crash backrest position does not show its prior state. Baseline material, actual frame findings and checks of other restraint systems under appropriate documentation are needed. Campaign presence does not prove it caused a particular crash outcome.
Which SQ5 vehicles
20V-505 revised November 12, 2020 specifies SQ5 MY2020, June 27–July 14, 2020. Q5 has another end date and Volkswagen separate rows. Do not merge these with SQ5.
If seats were changed, body production date does not establish the current frame’s origin. Determine that before linking an old campaign to the installed assembly.
Applicability to the individual vehicle
- Exact SQ5 SUV MY2020 cohort; Q5/other model dates not transferred.
- Play/noise is a diagnostic complaint, not a ready finding about weld or crash cause.
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 Report20V-505 / Audi72L1, November2020revision
Applicability and source location
Certain US SQ5 SUV MY2020, June 27–July 14, 2020. Q5 end date differs; VW separate. Actual seat/record verification needed.
Page 1: SQ5; pages 3–4: adjuster/frame weld and rear-crash mechanism; pages 4–5: inspection/conditional frame replacement.
Document date: 2020-11-12. Checked: .