2016 Audi A3 Airbags Problems

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 Campaign Number: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

NHTSA ID

11751789

Incident

Jul 21, 2026

Mileage

44,000 mi

Passenger airbag not activated when passenger is seated

NHTSA ID

11683973

Incident

Aug 5, 2025

Passenger Occupancy Detection System is malfunctioning. Pre-sense system fault

NHTSA ID

11680876

Incident

Jul 15, 2025

Passenger air bag not working light of airbag system stays on

NHTSA ID

11651010

Incident

Mar 30, 2024

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 longer covered under warranty. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a claim was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

NHTSA ID

11647871

Incident

Sep 12, 2023

Mileage

67,000 mi

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 ID

11527897

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

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 ID

11491529

Incident

Oct 30, 2022

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 ID

11490267

Incident

Dec 23, 2019

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 parts

NHTSA ID

11489801

Incident

Oct 10, 2020

The passenger airbag sign switch on and off while the passenger was on the seat.

NHTSA ID

11477809

Incident

Apr 22, 2022

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 in the mail shortly thereafter. When I called in the summer of 2021 to schedule a service appointment, I was told there was not yet a remedy to this recall and that in the next few months I should receive a phone call to schedule service. Over a year later, I called Audi San Diego to get an update (since I did receive a phone call as promised), and I am still told that there is no solution. For over a year now, I have been unable to have passengers in my front seat, due to the fear of the airbags not working in the event of a crash.

NHTSA ID

11477424

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

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. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11476496

Incident

Jul 29, 2022

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID

11473610

Incident

Jul 12, 2022

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 ID

11467920

Incident

Jun 6, 2022

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 ID

11467262

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

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 ID

11457271

Incident

Mar 20, 2021

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 ID

11451977

Incident

Feb 12, 2022

I was sold a vehicle with a manufacturer recall that I was ensured was no big deal and would be fixed but there isn't currently a solution for the recall on the vehicle. The recall was issued in March of 2021 and it is now September 2021. I should have not been sold a faulty vehicle especially one with no foreseeable solution to the recall.

NHTSA ID

11436678

Incident

Oct 12, 2021

The passenger air bag keeps going off every time one of my kids is sitting in the front. I can not afford to leave that seat unoccupied since I have four children and the front seat is always occupied. There is no solution to the air bag problem.

NHTSA ID

11433413

Incident

Sep 17, 2021

Audi has not responded to this Recall in a prompt manner. I was in the process of selling my Audi A3 but I cannot due to this. I took my car in to have this issue addressed in December 2019 and now I am learning that there is still a problem with the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) and Audi has no solution. They have known about this issue since March 2021.

NHTSA ID

11424486

Incident

Jul 12, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received recall notifications for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V474000 (Air Bags) and 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and a case was filed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the hood ajar warning light was illuminated. The contact inspected the hood and became aware that the hood was securely closed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a faulty hood switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 31,300. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11423259

Incident

Jun 11, 2021

Mileage

31,300 mi

I have received this recall infirmation multiple times with no remedy listed. The warning lights are constantly going on and off which is unnerving not knowing whether my passenger is protected. I drive for a living. It’s affecting my livlihood.

NHTSA ID

11421740

Incident

Apr 4, 2020

I was recently made aware of a nationwide safety recall for all Audi A3’s 2016 to present. I received a mailer with safety concern and warning for this recall. Audi has not been able to identify the root cause and believe it is more than just the initial air bags/PODS system in the vehicle. This has been in place for some time after I researched the site checking for updates to repair. I am very concerned for my safety along with my families safety when driving my car. My car is the primary vehicle. I use my car for work daily and do not feel comfortable. I am not 100% sure on initial date Audi identified this problem, but it appears earlier this year and it was the second recall for the same issue. They have no fix at this time. I did run my VIN to determine mine being affected and it is. The campaign number on site for this is: NHTSA’s campaign number: 19V474

NHTSA ID

11419440

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

I CONTACTED AUDI TO FIX THE SAFETY RECALL ON MY CAR, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE FIX AND ASKS ME TO DRIVE IT. I DO BUSINESS ON THE CAR AND HAVE FACED LOSS OF INCOME DUE TO THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11415696

Incident

Jan 13, 2021

THERE IS AN OPEN SAFETY RECALL ON MY CAR, THE MANUFACTURER DOESN'T HAVE THE FIX AVAILABLE. I USE MY CAR TO DRIVE FOR LYFT/UBER AND IF THE SAFETY RECALL IS NOT FIXED I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE, HENCE RISK OF LOSING MY INCOME AND WILL BE OUT OF WORK, HOWEVER, I CONTACTED AUDI TO FIX MY CAR, THEY SAID THERE IS NO FIX AVAILABLE AND I CAN CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR, LYFT/UBER ISSUED ME A WARNING THAT EFFECTIVE MAY 1, I WILL BE UNLISTED IF THE SAFETY RECALL IS NOT FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11413477

Incident

Apr 1, 2021