A potentially defective passenger side airbag has caused Volkswagen to recall a large number of their Audi A6 and A7 sedans.

According to the manufacturer, the defect, caused by a system that controls the models' heated and cooled seats, may prevent the airbag from opening properly during a crash depending on the size of the front seat passenger. Obviously, if the air bag doesn't open when there's a crash, then the potential for injury increases significantly. Hence the recall.

The recall applies to Audi A6 models built between March 28, 2011 and March 25, 2013, and A7 models manufactured between January 25, 2011 and March 19, 2013.

If you own one of these vehicles, Volkswagen will be notifying you in the near future, if they haven't already, with planned recall repairs expected to start next month.

If you have any questions about the recall, you can call Volkswagen at 1-800-253-2834 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236 or visit the federal government's Safer Car website.

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