2015 Audi A3 Seat belts Problems

Dear NHTSA, I am filing a complaint about the handling of a recall repair on my 2015 Audi A3 (VIN: [XXX] ) for the suction jet pump. The service experience has been frustrating and raises concerns about the repair’s quality. 1.First Visit - Inadequate Information: During my first visit to the service center, over an hour away, I was turned away because my fuel level was too high. I was never informed that my gas tank needed to be below a certain level for the repair, resulting in wasted time and travel. 2.Second Visit - Check Engine Light Still On: On my second visit, the suction jet pump was supposedly repaired, but my check engine light remained on. I had informed the service advisor that the light was related to an EVAP system malfunction, which I was told could be caused by a faulty suction jet pump. After speaking with multiple mechanics, I learned that a malfunctioning suction jet pump could cause fuel to enter the EVAP system, damaging parts like the purge valve or charcoal canister. 3.Unreasonable Charges: The service advisor insisted that the remaining EVAP issues were unrelated to the recall and wanted to charge $220 for another diagnostic and repairs, without even inspecting the car after the recall service. This seems unfair, as there’s no way to confirm without a proper check. 4.Missing Seat Belt Buckle: After the recall service, I discovered that the rear driver’s side seat belt buckle was missing. This is a major safety concern and needs to be addressed. I request NHTSA’s help in investigating the repair quality and ensuring these issues are resolved fairly. Thank you for your attention. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11618702

Incident

Sep 20, 2024

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

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

CAR RECEIVED PODS RECALL FIX CODED 69Z4 IN JANUARY 2020. THE FIX DID NOT SOLVE THE ANNOYING AND LIFE THREATENING MALFUNCTIONION THAT LEADS TO AUDI PRESENSE FAILURE ALERT AND DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED. IT WOULD ALSO TRIGGER THE ERROR WHEN NO PASSENGER WAS SEATED, REQUIRING TO FASTEN THE SEATBELT TO AN EMPTY SEAT TO GET RID OF THE SEATBELT BEEPS. CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO AUDI DEALERSHIP OCTOBER AND AFTER AN INSPECTION, THE ISSUE WAS FOUND TO BE THE SENSOR ITSELF THIS TIME. THE DIAGNOSIS REPORT DILIGENTLY RULED OUT ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTOR AND WIRING WHOSE FAULT WOULD MEAN A POTENTIAL REPAIR AND THE INSPECTION WOULD BE AT NO COST TO OWNER. HOWEVER, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE'S COMPLAINTS OWNER WAS PRESENTED WITH A 1,500 DOLLAR QUOTE FOR REPLACING THE SENSOR + $250 FEE FOR USING THEIR VAGCOM ("INSPECTION"). THE ERROR CODE WAS B12251B (MAT RESISTANCE TOO HIGH). AUDI'S INTERNAL DOCUMENTS ACCESSED THROUGH NHTSA REPORT THAT "IF FAULT, 'B12251B: SEAT OCCUPIED RECOGNITION SENSOR MAT RESISTANCE TOO HIGH' IS STORED IN THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE, DO NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPLACE ANY COMPONENTS FOR THIS FAULT BEFORE PERFORMING THIS REPAIR. THE 69Z4 TOPIC IS NOT THE ONLY CAUSE OF THIS FAULT. ANY DIAGNOSIS RELATED TO THIS FAULT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER THIS CAMPAIGN." AUDI OPENLY ADMITS THAT THE SCOPE OF THE 69Z4 RECALL AND THE SENSOR ISSUE ARE LINKED TOGETHER BY VIRTUE OF HAVING SIMILAR BEHAVIORS FOR THE CAR SYSTEMS AS WELL AS FAULT CODES. HOWEVER AUDI PERFORMS THE CHEAPER BANDAID OUT OF POCKET AND EXPECTS THE OWNER TO PAY FOR THE FAULTY PART WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RECALL IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME BEHAVIOUR AND SAME PART (THAT IS TRADITIONALLY NOT YOUR USUAL WEAR&AND&TEAR PART LIKE A BATTERY) WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION OF THE MALPRACTICES OF AUDI IN DEALING WITH THIS RECALL AND ITS CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ID

11366863

Incident

Oct 27, 2020

Mileage

42,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, A WARNING CAME ON INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS DISCONNECTED, FOLLOWED BY AN AUDIBLE WARNING. THERE WAS AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHO WAS PROPERLY BELTED IN. RECALL "FIX" 69Z4 HAS BEEN APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11361543

Incident

Sep 15, 2020

Mileage

88,000 mi

CAT FEELS UNSTABLE WHEN I DRIVE OVER 70 MILES ON THE FREEWAY.. ALSO SEATBELTS LOCK ROOM HARD

NHTSA ID

11344257

Incident

Jul 13, 2020

PASSENGER AIRBAG DOES NOT TURN ON. WARNING LIGHT IS DISPLAYED AND ERROR SAFETY MESSAGE IS ON SCREEN WHEN CARE IS TURNED ON AND OPERATING. ADDITIONALLY SEATBELT ALARM CONTINUES TO CHIME WHILE SEATBELT IS USED.

NHTSA ID

11331322

Incident

Jun 26, 2020

Mileage

58,000 mi

AUDI RECALL CAMPAIGN 69Z4 WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION BY REPLACING A CONNECTOR AND HARNESS. THIS HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUES. MANY AUDI CUSTOMERS SAYING THE SEAT BELT ALARM AND WARNING LIGHT STILL COME ON. MINE WILL NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL I PLUG THE SEAT BELT BACK IN, BUT THEN MY AIRBAGS TURN ON AND OFF RANDOMLY EVEN IF THERE IS AN OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS WAS THE CHEAP FIX. AUDI ACKNOWLEDGES THE ISSUE WITH THE ACTUAL PODS SENSOR BUT MAKES CUSTOMERS PAY $1,200 FOR THE SAFETY FIX. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RECALL. AUDI BLAMES MINE ON THE DAMAGE TO THE REAR OF THE CAR, BUT THE PHOTOS PRE-DATE THE DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER.

NHTSA ID

11321938

Incident

Apr 1, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

MY CAR KEEPS HAVING A SAFETY SYSTEM FAULT. THERE ARE TWO ERRORS: 1. THE "PAASENGER AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR STAYS ON EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT 2. BUCKLE SEATBELT SIGN IS ON WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER I TOOK MY CAR FOR A RECALL BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE OF THE AIRBAG BEING OFF! THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

NHTSA ID

11318915

Incident

Sep 25, 2019

Mileage

36,000 mi

THERE WAS RECENTLY A PODS RECALL FOR THE WIRING HARNESS GOING TO THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR THE RECALL DID NOT FIX THE ISSUES FOR MANY PEOPLE. CAR WILL RANDOMLY THINK SOMEONE IS SETTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND ACTIVATE AIRBAG AND CAUSE THE SEATBELT LIGHT TO CHIME CONSTANTLY WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO TURN ON AND OFF. THE SENSOR IMBEDDED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT IS FAULTY.

NHTSA ID

11301550

Incident

Jan 24, 2020

Mileage

65,000 mi