Class Action Lawsuit Alleges 2009-2017 Audi Q5, SQ5 Vehicles Afflicted with Defective Subframes

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A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that Audi has concealed that certain 2009-2017 Audi Q5 and SQ5 models are hampered by a defect that can cause the vehicles’ steel subframe to rust and corrode prematurely, posing a serious safety risk.

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The 104-page automotive lawsuit asserts that Audi of America has actively concealed that the purportedly protective plastic coverings on the subframes of affected Q5 and SQ5 models can trap moisture, salt and debris, which can cause the subframe to rust, rot and corrode undetected, given that the extent of the condition is hidden by the plastic coverings. The cost of an Audi subframe replacement, including parts and labor, typically ranges from $4,000 to $9,000 or more, the case says.

According to the complaint, Audi has known of the subframe defect since at least 2009 from pre-release testing data, consumer complaints, and requests for assistance from authorized dealerships.

Per the filing, the defect, which can only be discovered after removing the plastic covering on the vehicles’ steel subframe, leaves an affected Audi vulnerable to “structural instability.” The case explains that the subframe provides stability to critical vehicle components, and should the subframe break during operation, it can cause the collapse of the wheels and suspension, “violent” pulling to one side, and a total loss of control over the car.

Subframe failure can additionally lead to myriad serious safety hazards for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. The case conveys that vehicles with a compromised subframe are unable to absorb and evenly distribute force in the event of a crash, leading to structural collapse and placing passengers at substantially greater risk of injury or even death.

The complaint stresses that the defect is particularly dangerous because even experienced mechanics may not detect the full extent of corrosion or rot on the Audi subframe, as they would have no reason to remove the vehicle subframe’s plastic cover without knowledge of the flaw.

Further, the class action lawsuit alleges that Audi, which offers a four-year/50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and a 12-year limited corrosion perforation warranty, has refused to cover repairs to a defective subframe. Instead, Audi requires consumers to incur out-of-pocket expenses for temporary repairs that do not address the underlying defect, the case says.

“Rather than disclose the [d]effect to consumers, [Volkswagen] addressed subframe rust and corrosion complaints through stopgap, piecemeal diagnosis and repair procedures,” the suit charges.

The lawsuit says that the Audi subframe defect inflicts substantial economic harm on consumers as vehicle owners and lessees must bring their cars to a mechanic for repairs or replacements, pay for replacement parts, lose use of their vehicles, or continue driving defectively designed, unsafe vehicles.

The Audi subframe defect lawsuit looks to cover all individuals and entities in the United States who purchased or leased a 2009-2017 Audi Q5 or SQ5 vehicle.

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