2015 Audi A3 Airbags Problems

Airbag pressure sensing fault in passenger seat. Fix is $1,800

NHTSA ID

11695232

Incident

Oct 16, 2025

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 ID

11666282

Incident

Feb 8, 2022

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 ID

11524881

Incident

May 27, 2023

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 ID

11524298

Incident

Feb 2, 2021

Unknown

NHTSA ID

11492825

Incident

Nov 8, 2022

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 ID

11490655

Incident

Oct 24, 2022

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 - 855 832 8796, 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 fixed. The recall has been in effect since March 22 2021.

NHTSA ID

11490401

Incident

Mar 22, 2021

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 ID

11488759

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

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 was repaired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact then stated that the passenger occupant detection system and the passenger air bag off warning signs illuminated frequently while starting the vehicle or while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer and they informed the contact that the diagnosis was that the PODS sensor mat needed replacement and PODS control module required an update. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure continued to reoccur. The contact stated the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.

NHTSA ID

11484665

Incident

Feb 4, 2019

Mileage

37,000 mi

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 ID

11483301

Incident

May 12, 2021

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 ID

11482442

Incident

Mar 22, 2021

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 ID

11473931

Incident

Jul 14, 2022

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 ID

11469073

Incident

Jan 14, 2019

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 the passenger seat occupied if the warning light was on. I contacted Audi Service in May 2021 and was told that no parts were available to repair - About a month ago I received another letter repeating the warning and stating that parts were available. I tried to arrange an appointment but was again told, no parts were available and the earliest appointment would be available in May. As of now, the airbag warning light is on, the airbag indicator says “Airbag has been disabled” and the diagnostic readout reports “Sensor resistance too high"

NHTSA ID

11449331

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

The warning lights that the Airbag is not functioning intermittently turns on and off and the car beeps incessantly. It is very distracting and has diverted my attention several times on the highway. This Recall has been pending since March 2021. I have been trying to schedule an appointment with the dealer to get it fixed and the response I get is there are no parts, call back next month. At this point I am concerned that Audi does not have the necessary parts and is simply wasting their customers time asking them to schedule appointments with the dealer. It will be great if the NHTSA can investigate this and update owners with what to expect here. I am concerned that I am driving this car without passenger airbags functioning for close to a year now!

NHTSA ID

11446671

Incident

Apr 7, 2021

I purchased this vehicle in Germany back in September 2020. It’s a US spec Audi that has the passenger air bag floor sensor recall that I can’t seem to get fixed by the German Audi dealership. How can I get this recall fixed in case I sell the car or want to ship it back stateside. They won’t ship a car with a potential safety recall outstanding. My phone number is [XXX] and I used my stateside address because the system will not accept my German address. Please contact me via phone number listed above or by email. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11444968

Incident

Nov 9, 2015

It has been nearly 9 months since this recall was issued. Audi cannot provide a remedy and cannot tell me when they can provide a remedy. I cannot transport a passenger in the front seat safely, and I cannot sell the car because Audi has issued a 'stop sell' order. Audi will not repurchase the car.

NHTSA ID

11440047

Incident

Nov 10, 2021

I experienced the exact scenario listed in NHTSA Recall Number21V198. Took the vehicle to my local Audi Dealer. Paid for the necessary safety repairs. Submitted for reimbursement with Audi USA reached out to them multiple times and they have refused to reimburse me for the parts and labor. Attached are the recall and emails between me and Audi USA. Thank you for any support you can provide.

NHTSA ID

11439372

Incident

Feb 21, 2021

The manufacturer has yet to find a remedy for hmmmmm cars recall.

NHTSA ID

11435246

Incident

Oct 2, 2021

After taking my '15 A3 to the dealer to have the Passenger Occupant Detection (POD) serviced, the issues started. For example, the passenger seatbelt sometimes chimes when no one is in the passenger seat, to the airbag shutting off when someone is seated in the passenger seat. As a result, I've reached out to my local Audi dealer to schedule an appointment to fix the issue. However, the service representative informed me that the recall is currently on hold due to parts not being readily available from Audi of North America to fix the issue. The dealer added my information to a waiting list and told me to wait for a phone call or an email when the PODS recall parts are available. Three months later, and I am still waiting.

NHTSA ID

11425626

Incident

Mar 25, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag and the seat belt warning lights were illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 48,500. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11423917

Incident

Mar 27, 2021

Mileage

48,500 mi

My airbag light randomly goes off while driving or parked. Someone can be in or not in the seat. Shows they’re not buckled in while they are. It sounds with a ding. Documents at dealership where they told me it was my own issue. I was saving to do their repair recommendations.

NHTSA ID

11421342

Incident

Jun 17, 2021

I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY 2015 AUDI THAT SO MANY OTHERS I READ ARE HAVING, MY PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR KEEPS TURNING ON AND OFF WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. I’M NOW CONCERNED AFTER READING ALL THESE REPORTS THAT I’M GOING TO GET HOSED SINCE AUDI ISN’T DOING THE PROPER THING AND FIXING WHAT’S ACTUALLY WRONG WITH THIS CAR. WHO’S RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE PASSENGER IN MY CAR DIES BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS OFF DUE TO A MANUFACTURER’S DEFECT THAT WAS IGNORED?

NHTSA ID

11416662

Incident

May 12, 2021

Mileage

119,000 mi

AUDI RECALL #69Z4, NHTSA RECALL #19V474 THE CAR WAS UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH WAS 'FIXED' BY DEALER SOMETIME IN 2019. CURRENTLY THE CAR SHOWS AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED, THE UNBUCKLED SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS AND SOUNDS FLASHES EVEN WHEN THE SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED. SPOKE THE AUDI OF ONTARIO,CA ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. SERVICE MANAGER WILL NOT RETURN PHONE CALLS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS COMPONENT HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO REPAIR IT. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STAYS ON, WHEN THE SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED, THIS HAPPENS AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THE UNFASTENED SEATBELT LIGHT, AND AIRBAG LIGHT REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING. UNFASTENED SEATBELT SOUNDS CONTINUE FOR 2-3 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED, THEN GOES AWAY.

NHTSA ID

11414669

Incident

Apr 2, 2021

PODS FAILURE. PASSENGER OCCUPANCY DEVICE. WHEN NOT WORKING, PASSENGER AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF WHILE PASSENGER IN SEAT. IN MY CASE THE PART WAS REPLACED AT 10,208 MILES AND FAILED AGAIN AT 13,924 MILES. AUDI REPLACED THE SENSOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER A LOT OF DEBATE, BUT REFUSE THE SECOND TIME. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HARNESS THAT PLUGS INTO THE SENSOR, BUT NOT THE SENSOR ITSELF. CRITICAL AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM SHOULD NOT FAIL AT THIS MILEAGE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS FAILURES HIGHLIGHTED IN MANY AUDI FORUMS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR AUDI, AND THE NUMEROUS OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11402524

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

13,294 mi