Audi A4, A5, Q5 Recall R/2017/334: Auxilliary Heater Element In Air Conditioning May Fail And/or Overheat, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 8 Jan 2018
- Launched
- 33,699
- vehicles in the UK
- 80C6
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Audi recalled A4, A5, Q5 vehicles built between 1 April 2011 and 31 July 2015. The auxilliary heater element in the air conditioner may fail as a result of overheating in the area of the connectors in conjunction with smoulder damage or potential fire. The dealer will adjust the activation of the electric auxilliary heater by updating the software for the air conditioning control console. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The auxilliary heater element in the air conditioner may fail as a result of overheating in the area of the connectors in conjunction with smoulder damage or potential fire.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: AUXILLIARY HEATER ELEMENT IN AIR CONDITIONING MAY FAIL AND/OR OVERHEAT Defect: The auxilliary heater element in the air conditioner may fail as a result of overheating in the area of the connectors in conjunction with smoulder damage or potential fire. Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and fit an auxilliary heater element with opimised electrical connectors. The activation of the electric auxilliary heater must be adjusted by updating the software for the air conditioning control console.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: auxilliary heater element in air conditioning may fail and/or overheat.
The Fix
The dealer will adjust the activation of the electric auxilliary heater by updating the software for the air conditioning control console. The fix is a software update, which usually takes under an hour at the dealer.
Are You Affected?
A4, A5, Q5 built between 1 April 2011 and 31 July 2015 may be included. Audi estimates 33,699 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 80C6 or the DVSA reference R/2017/334. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q5Replacing seat belt with tensioner | Urgent | R/2026/192 | |
| A6, A7, Q5Software update for battery control unit | Urgent | R/2025/463 | |
| A3, A4, A4 Cabrio, A5 and 3 moreStop-drive TAKATA PSAN | Stop driving | R/2025/387 | |
| Q5Cylinder head cover bolts inspection | Urgent | R/2025/184 | |
| A5Replacing rear seat backrest | Low | R/2025/110 |
This is one of 158 Audi recalls in DVSA’s data. The Audi recall launched before it was R/2017/311 on 17 Nov 2017, for rear hub carriers not manufactured to correct standard. The one launched after it was R/2018/040 on 6 Feb 2018, for passenger airbag may not deploy as intended. You can also see every Audi recall, the Audi A4 recall history, all recalls launched in 2018 and fire risk recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2017/334, launched 8 January 2018. 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.