If you’ve ever owned an older vehicle, you’ve probably received a notice indicating a recall for a part. And sometimes, those older-model recalls are for aging components that seem small or irrelevant to the vehicle’s safety or operation. You might even be tempted to put off visiting the dealership to take care of it. But what if you bought a brand-new car and then learned of a manufacturer-issued recall? Audi vehicle owners should keep reading.

A recall issued this month lists a host of 2021 Audi models. Based on the announcement from Audi, the issue might seem insignificant. But handling it now could end up being a major lifesaver down the road.

The one recall that spans several Audi models

CarComplaints.com recently reported on the news of Audi’s latest recall. The automaker issued an announcement on December 14 regarding a concern involving several of its models. The recall is specific to the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad, Q7, RS6, and RS7.

The problem is a front-door crash sensor. And despite its seemingly small size, this defective part could wreak serious and dangerous consequences if left unfixed.

A small but dangerous problem

Sensors are small auto parts, and if your vehicle is on this recall list, you might be tempted to wait to follow through on a trip to your local dealer. But this tiny sensor has big responsibilities.

According to Audi, the electrical connectors can detach from the crash sensors housed in the front doors. When that happens, the seat belt pretensioners fail, as do the side and side curtain airbags. These critical safety mechanisms’ failure could cause devastating repercussions.

This isn’t Audi’s first crash sensor recall

In August 2019, Automotive News reported that Volkswagen Group of American recalled 144,092 Audi models for a passenger-side airbag sensor malfunction. Certain 2018 A5 and S5 vehicles and some 2017 and 2018 A4 models were included.

This particular sensor problem concerned the passenger occupant detection system, where oxidation eroded a cable, causing the software to fail. As a result, the passenger airbag failed to deploy if the sensor detected no occupant in the seat. It’s another example of how an inconspicuous sensor could translate to dangerous scenarios.

What owners can do about this latest recall

Handling this sensor issue with your local dealer should be your top priority. If you’re uncertain if your vehicle is included in this sensor recall, call 800-253-2834 and provide the recall number, 69BM, to learn more. Dealerships will begin replacing crash sensors within both front doors free of charge beginning January 31, 2021. If your Audi indeed is affected, book a service appointment as soon as possible.

Audi takes safety seriously and usually earns five-star crash test ratings, according to U.S. News. Both the NHTSA and the IIHS generally rank Audi vehicles high, especially the models listed in this recall.

This recall announcement comes early in the vehicle-rollout cycle. Only about 166 vehicles among the models listed above are affected. And though this sensor issue may seem small, fixing it could be a lifesaver in the most literal sense of the word.