Audi A4 Recall R/2016/294: Front Backrest May Not Perform Correctly, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Low
- How serious
- 26 Jan 2017
- Launched
- 201
- vehicles in the UK
- 72G1
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Audi recalled A4 vehicles built between 1 August 2016 and 31 October 2016. The back-rests of the front seats may not have been assembled correctly. The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles check frames and if necessary replace affected components. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The back-rests of the front seats may not have been assembled correctly. This may increase risk of injury to occupants during a collision.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: FRONT BACKREST MAY NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY Defect: The back-rests of the front seats may not have been assembled correctly. This may increase risk of injury to occupants during a collision. Remedy: On affected vehicles check frames and if necessary replace affected components.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: front backrest may not perform correctly.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles check frames and if necessary replace affected components.
Are You Affected?
A4 built between 1 August 2016 and 31 October 2016 may be included. Audi estimates 201 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Audi, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Audi.
- Book with any franchised Audi dealer, quoting the campaign code 72G1 or the DVSA reference R/2016/294. See how to get a Audi recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| A3, A4, A4 Cabrio, A5 and 3 moreStop-drive TAKATA PSAN | Stop driving | R/2025/387 | |
| A3, A4Replacing TAKATA driver airbag | Urgent | R/2024/312 | |
| A4, A4 Cabrio, A6Replacing Takata passenger airbag | Urgent | R/2024/158 | |
| A4, A4 Cabrio, A6If a front airbag is deployed it is possible that the gas generator housing in which the propellant is generated may burst on vehicles manufactured within a limited period | Urgent | R/2023/053 | |
| A4, A5, A6, A8 and 4 moreFollowing a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed | Book soon | R/2022/036 |
This is one of 158 Audi recalls in DVSA’s data. The Audi recall launched before it was R/2016/220 on 23 Sep 2016, for third row seats may deform in event of a collision. The one launched after it was R/2017/078 on 20 Feb 2017, for airbag/belt tensioners may not trigger in event of an accident. You can also see every Audi recall, the Audi A4 recall history and all recalls launched in 2017.
Source: DVSA recall R/2016/294, launched 26 January 2017. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.