Audi A4, A5, A6 And 2 More Recall R/2020/138: Moisture May Enter The Belt-driven Starter-alternator, Who Is Affected And What To Do

DVSA reference R/2020/138, campaign code 27H2. Data updated daily from DVSA.

Low
How serious
30 Jun 2020
Launched
34,982
vehicles in the UK
27H2
Manufacturer’s campaign code

Audi recalled A4, A5, A6 and 2 more vehicles built between 1 June 2017 and 31 March 2020. Moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator. The dealer will replace the starter-alternator on the affected vehicles. You won't usually pay for it.1

What’s Wrong

Moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator.

DVSA's Original Wording

Concern: MOISTURE MAY ENTER THE BELT-DRIVEN STARTER-ALTERNATOR Defect: It is possible that moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator. Remedy: The starter-alternator must be replaced on the affected vehicles.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

The Risk

The recall notice describes the concern as: moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator.

The Fix

The dealer will replace the starter-alternator on the affected vehicles.

Are You Affected?

A4, A5, A6 and 2 more built between 1 June 2017 and 31 March 2020 may be included. Audi estimates 34,982 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.

What To Do Now

  1. Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Audi.
  2. Book with any franchised Audi dealer, quoting the campaign code 27H2 or the DVSA reference R/2020/138. See how to get a Audi recall fixed.
  3. Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
LaunchedVehicle and faultSeverityReference
Q5Replacing seat belt with tensionerUrgentR/2026/192
A6, Q8Belt buckle rivet missingUrgentR/2025/508
A6, A7, Q5Software update for battery control unitUrgentR/2025/463
A3, A4, A4 Cabrio, A5 and 3 moreStop-drive TAKATA PSANStop drivingR/2025/387
Q5Cylinder head cover bolts inspectionUrgentR/2025/184

This is one of 158 Audi recalls in DVSA’s data. The Audi recall launched before it was R/2020/135 on 19 May 2020, for gear oil may escape due to a faulty welded joint on the gearbox oil line. The one launched after it was R/2020/260 on 8 Sep 2020, for the backrest adjustment mechanism gap may be faulty on individual front seats. You can also see every Audi recall, the Audi A4 recall history and all recalls launched in 2020.


Source: DVSA recall R/2020/138, launched 30 June 2020. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.

Sources

  1. 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.