2016 Audi A3 airbags problems

Related recalls

• Recall 22V543000Jul 27, 20221,216 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.

  Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.

• 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 Jul 21, 202644,000 miFLAirbagsEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag occupant sensor failed to identify a passenger seat in the seat. A dealer was contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that PODS had failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with…

   NHTSA complaint #11751789 · source
2. Filed Mar 12, 202567,000 miCAAirbags

   The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the front passenger’s seat air bag sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The air bag warning was illuminated approximately one and a half years later. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who informed the contact that the repair was no…

   NHTSA complaint #11647871 · source
3. Filed Jun 20, 2023TNAirbags

   PODS system recall was fixed, but not properly, 3 months after it was "fixed" the passenger airbag is off warning comes on beeping loud and turns off and back on constantly. Super annoying and dealership won't do anything without paying a huge fee.

   NHTSA complaint #11527897 · source
4. Filed Oct 30, 2022NHAirbags

   I've been told by the dealer that a fix for the PODS system recall is still not available. This is after almost a year and a half of the issue being known. My car is now regularly illuminating the airbag light and beeping for the passenger to put the seat belt on even if no one is using the seat. This is becoming very annoying and I'm told there is no way to fix this.

   NHTSA complaint #11491529 · source
5. Filed Oct 21, 2022NYAirbags

   I have been trying to get this recall fixed since December 2019. This recall are pods needed to be replaced on the passenger seat. As of today, October 21, 2022, my passenger airbag is off at all times and is unable to provide safety for my passenger. This is due to the recall. I have contacted Audi multiple times and they are unable to help. I have documentation proof for everything. This is a safety hazard for my passenger. I am too afraid to drive my car.

   NHTSA complaint #11490267 · source
6. Filed Oct 18, 2022FLAirbags

   the light on the passenger side airbag is on all the time and a letter explaining my car had a recall to fix the issue was received back in 2020. I've been informed and also researched myself that the passenger side should not be used due to the airbag malfunctioning and being dangerous and possibly fatal. For those reasons I don't have anyone sitting in that sear and actually I don't feels safe having anyone in the back of the car. The dealerships say they do not have the…

   NHTSA complaint #11489801 · source
7. Filed Aug 3, 2022CAAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   I purchased my 2016 Audi A3 in April of 2020 from Audi San Diego. Less than a year later, I was getting airbag warning lights on my dash, as well as constant warning sounds when driving. I brought my vehicle into Audi San Diego, and they "fixed" the issue free of charge. A few months later, I started getting the same warning lights/sounds - this time, the passenger airbag was turning on and off even while somebody was sitting in the passenger seat. I received a recall letter…

   NHTSA complaint #11477424 · source
8. Filed Jul 29, 2022MDAirbags

   It has been over a year that I have tried to get Audi to repair my recall. The dealer Rockville Audi in Maryland will not assist me in when the repair will be completed. My indicator lite is on and the seat belt alarm activates when no one is in the passenger seat. Is there anyone that can help me with this very important issue? My cell number is [XXX] if you want to contact me directly. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.…

   NHTSA complaint #11476496 · source
9. Filed Jun 7, 2022ALAirbagsElectrical SystemSuspension

   Air bag light comes on when no on is in the passenger seat, the coolant light is coming on saying turn engine off when my coolant level is fine, the suspension cracks even though I have had this checked by Audi in Birmingham, Al. multiple times.

   NHTSA complaint #11467920 · source
10. Filed Jun 3, 2022OHAirbags

    Audi USA is incapable of repairing this defect in a timely fashion. I was informed today, after being told the parts to remedy "are on their way" for more than a month, that the parts to repair this recall are no longer produced. I want to go on record how disappointed I am with Audi USA now that I have a car that is unsafe to drive with passengers and look for avenues of recourse from a consumer's perspective.

    NHTSA complaint #11467262 · source
11. Filed Mar 18, 2022WAAirbags

    My car got the recall of PODS a year ago and Audi still doesn't have part availability to fix it. This impacts my driving a lot.

    NHTSA complaint #11457271 · source
12. Filed Feb 14, 2022TXAirbags

    Contacted the place that sold me the car Audi North Houston. Everytime I try to replace it. They say that they’re out of the part and will contact me. It has been months and it still hasn’t been replaced. I’m worried about driving an unsafe vehicle.

    NHTSA complaint #11451977 · 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