Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published October 27, 2020
Audi Q7 (2020) Recall: Unbelted Head Impact Risk in Crashes
Audi is recalling certain 2018-2020 Q7 models due to potential head injury risk from C-pillar padding in crashes. Owners must have C-pillar deformation elements replaced at dealerships.
“Audi Q7 (2020) Recall: Unbelted Head Impact Risk in Crashes.” GovInfoNow, updated August 10, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/79203-audi-q7-2020-recall-unbelted-head-impact-risk-in-crashes. Based on NHTSA recall #20V658000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V658000).
NHTSA announced on October 27, 2020, that Volkswagen Group of America is recalling certain Audi Q7 vehicles due to a structure hazard. The agency said the C-pillar padding may not absorb enough impact in a crash, increasing injury risk for unbelted occupants.
How to tell if you have it
Audi Q7, 2018-2020
What to do
Audi will notify owners and dealers will replace the deformation element on the C-pillars free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
The hazard
According to NHTSA, an unbelted occupant's head may impact the vehicle's C-pillar padding in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The padding on the vehicle's C-pillar may not absorb enough impact in the event of a crash.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has 276 other recalls on record since October 20, 2014. Recent recalls include the October 23, 2026, Audi Q3 steering recall and the September 30, 2026, ID.4 battery fire recall. Other recent recalls of similar products include the March 6, 2026, Kia Telluride seat belts recall and the July 14, 2026, Hyundai Kona seat belts recall.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your Audi Q7 was manufactured between 2018 and 2020. The recall covers all models in this range, as the issue is with the C-pillar padding design.
Brand
Audi
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Audi Customer Service
Call 1-800-253-2834 to schedule a replacement of the C-pillar deformation element.
Have C-pillar Deformation Element Replaced
Dealers will replace the C-pillar deformation element at no cost to fix the impact absorption issue.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the deformation element on the C-pillars, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70H8.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
2 dated steps over 21 days.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Recall began
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Take action
Contact Audi
We’ve drafted a message you can send Audi to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 20V658000 — Audi Q7 (2020) Recall: Unbelted Head Impact Risk in Crashes
Hello,
I own a Audi Q7 (2020) Recall: Unbelted Head Impact Risk in Crashes that is covered by recall 20V658000 from Audi.
The official recall notice states: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the deformation element on the C-pillars, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70H8.
I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this?
Thank you.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 10, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.