Vehicle recall R/2020/138

Audi A4 and others recall: Moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator

DVSA recall R/2020/138 names the Audi A4, Audi A7, Audi Q5, Audi A6 and Audi A5. It was launched 30 June 2020. It covers vehicles built 1 June 2017 to 31 March 2020.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2020/138
Launched: 30 June 2020
Issued by: AUDI
Manufacturer reference: 27H2
Vehicles: 34,982 across the whole recall

What can go wrong

It is possible that moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator.

The fix

The starter-alternator must be replaced on the affected vehicles.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA gives one vehicle number for the whole recall: 34,982.
Model	Built
Audi A4	1 June 2017 to 31 March 2020
Audi A5	1 June 2017 to 31 March 2020
Audi A6	1 June 2017 to 31 March 2020
Audi A7	1 June 2017 to 31 March 2020
Audi Q5	1 June 2017 to 31 March 2020

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/2020/260 The backrest adjustment mechanism gap may be faulty on individual front seats 8 September 2020, Audi Q5
R/2020/265 Moisture may enter the belt driven starter-alternator 2 October 2020, Audi A4, Audi A6
R/2020/115 There may be increased pedal travel as a result of production tolerances 27 March 2020, Audi Q5
R/2020/302 Seat frame may not be bolted correctly to the rail on the driver and passenger sides 26 October 2020, Audi A4, Audi A5, Audi Q3
R/2020/372 Faulty crash sensors for airbag/restraint systems may have been fitted in both of the front doors 8 December 2020, Audi A6, Audi Q7, Audi RS6
R/2019/363 The collar of the wheel arch cover can become detached 23 October 2019, Audi Q5

Found one you might buy?

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources