2015 Audi A3 airbags problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V198000Mar 22, 2021153,152 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY · AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.

  Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 11, 2025ALAirbags

   For recall 21V198-69BY, I took my car to Audi of Birmingham on recall. They provided me a service form to show the repair had been made, but my passenger side air bag off light is still on because they didn't make the repair. It wasn't brought to my attention until I took my car for another repair job and the didn't make that repair, either.

   NHTSA complaint #11666282 · source
2. Filed Jun 1, 2023MDAirbagsOther / UnknownSeats & Seat Belts

   Dropped off car to audi arlington to fix recall. They said it was finished but did not update the recall status. Called audi multiple times to ask, was not able to reach them. Left voice mail and still no call back.

   NHTSA complaint #11524881 · source
3. Filed May 29, 2023CAAirbagsElectrical System

   passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may detect a malfunction and switch off the passenger airbag even though the seat may be occupied. Cars battery has been replaced yet battery problems still occur.

   NHTSA complaint #11524298 · source
4. Filed Oct 24, 2022COAirbags

   How is it these recalls that effect life safety systems still do not have a solution? On top of it, there have been previous recalls on the same system. How is it acceptable to allow the manufacturer to not have a solution to this for 1.5 years? Manufacturer Recall Number: 69BY NHTSA Recall Number: 21V198 What does NHTSA do to ensure these are addressed in a timely manner?

   NHTSA complaint #11490655 · source
5. Filed Oct 22, 2022NVAirbags

   I have been receiving recall letters on my car for over a year now. Each time I call Audi Las Vegas, 6335 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV, 89146 - [phone removed], they will schedule me an appointment then contact me to cancel stating that the manufacturer has put a hold on the parts to fix the car. This is a huge concern to me as I do not feel comfortable driving my car. This is unacceptable that I have to drive the car and I do not feel safe. Where else can I get the car…

   NHTSA complaint #11490401 · source
6. Filed Oct 11, 2022WAAirbags

   There’s an open recall since march/2021 and Audi refuses to fix it, Since it relates to the airbag systems it’s really dangerous

   NHTSA complaint #11488759 · source
7. Filed Sep 15, 202237,000 miCTAirbags

   The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that when he started his vehicle, the passenger occupant detection system and the passenger air bag off warning signs illuminated. The contact stated that both warning lights illuminated periodically when turning on the vehicle or while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for an unknown recall repair however, the contact was not aware of the failure diagnosis or what…

   NHTSA complaint #11484665 · source
8. Filed Sep 7, 2022NYAirbags

   I have an active recall for the passenger occupant detection system in which Audi has failed to have the available parts to repair this recall in a timely manner.

   NHTSA complaint #11483301 · source
9. Filed Sep 1, 2022VAAirbags

   I have waited for Audi for 18 months to fix the recalled part. I called them multiple times. It is still not available. I fear my wife's life when she's sitting on the passenger seat which was affected by the recall. We can't use the car as normal and it reduces the resale value.

   NHTSA complaint #11482442 · source
10. Filed Jul 14, 2022PAAirbags

    Audi dealer says there is no solution and they can't schedule me for repair and at this point they do not know when and how long it's going to take.

    NHTSA complaint #11473931 · source
11. Filed Jun 13, 2022WAAirbagsElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

    There is a recall on our daughters Audi A3 that we have been trying to have fixed for over 2 years. We call, we follow up and are consistently told there is no fix for the problem. The letters we continue to receive say it is about 4 hours of work on the PODS system. I am tired of our college daughter paying for a known unsafe vehicle and am reaching out as we have exhausted all possibilities with Audi USA.

    NHTSA complaint #11469073 · source
12. Filed Jan 28, 2022CAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

    There has been previous recall for the passenger seat occupation sensor in 2019, asking for a connector to be replaced. Approximately 3 months after the connector was replaced in late 2019, the airbag warning light in the dashboard turned on. That was approximately in March or April of 2020. The car was only lightly used during 2020 and the latest recall had not been issued. In early 2021, a letter with recall information arrived and stated that I shall not use the car with…

    NHTSA complaint #11449331 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology