Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Audi A3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Airbag warning light came on. Dealer said passenger seat occupancy sensor must be replaced, at cost of $1500-3000 since it's 5 months past my warranty. Numerous Audi models from 2012 onward have a recall for this sensor, but not my 2011 model (yet). Other automakers have extended their warranty for this safety-critical part -- BMW to 15 years, for example. Technicians could not tell me if the sensor error means all airbags are disabled, passenger airbag only is disabled, or passenger airbag is always-on (dangerous for children).
Takata recall. A recall was issued in February 2016 for my vehicle. I was notified by Audi of the recall in April. I contacted the dealer then and was told there were no parts available. I contacted Audi west houston again on June 27, 2016 and was told the only remedy to me was a discount on a new car. I was told this by a salesman and by the general sales manager. I contacted Audi customer service on June 29, 2016, and they said there were no parts available and they did not have any idea when they would be available. They said I could continue to drive the car since no Audi or vw had experienced an air-bag failure. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle and would like it repaired. I don't think it's right that Audi has not repaired a single vehicle under this recall nor can they estimate when they will begin repairing these vehicles. …
Takata recall. I have received numerous notices from Audi and the secretary of state's office that my A3 is recalled for the airbag replacement. I have been trying to schedule this since June with Audi of kalamazoo, my local dealer. They schedule appointments for this 6 weeks out. They have twice cancelled my appointment the day before the service saying that they can't get the parts. I have been able to schedule an appointment with another dealer who report that they have not had such trouble getting the parts. Audi of kalamazoo's delay tactics have unnecessarily put my family at risk.
Takata airbag I am writing to express my great concern about this potentially lethal issue with my car. This recall is open since February 2016 and yet nothing has been done to rectify this. I am forced to drive a potentially lethally harmful vehicle over the lack of ability by the manufacturer to remedy the airbag inflator. I understand the involved concerns of the survivability of Takata - however my personal life comes before the economic concern of the car manufacturer and its suppliers.
Takata recall: Audi has been unable to provide any information as to when the Takata airbag inflator(s) will be replaced. It has been approximately one year, and we have kept the car garaged for fear of severe injury or death in the event of an accident. Audi has offered no information the status of the recall, no loaner vehicle/rental vehicle, and appears to have no plan in place for replacement of the affected airbag inflator(s).
I purchased the vehicle from a dealer in houston, tx on oct 3, 2016. Prior to purchase, I submitted the necessary documentation and notice to us customs for export to Canada. I also contacted Audi Canada to determine that there were no outstanding recalls. The vendor provided a temporary permit from the state of texas, which permitted us to drive the vehicle home. We imported the vehicle into Canada at port huron with no complications on October 21, 2016, paying the required duty and hst. Several days later, we received notice from riv that they could not issue clearance, as a recall for the Takata airbag remained outstanding. Riv indicated that the vehicle must comply within 45 days or be returned to the us. I enquired about returning the vehicle to the selling dealer. However, as the texas title has been transferred to my name, the vehicle must now be compliant for resale in the us. …
I received a letter and email from my dealership around the beginning of February informing me that my car had a defective Takata driver side airbag and to come in and talk to someone regarding my options. I scheduled an appt with my dealership for February 25, 2017 and met with sarsi kazimi, sales manager, at keyes Audi at 5239 van nuys blvd, van nuys, ca 91401. Sarsi confirmed that there is not a remedy available at this time, and tried to offer me a trade-in deal for my car against another Audi. I currently have 1 1/2 years more until full payoff of my vehicle (car loan through my credit union, not the dealership). I informed sarsi that I didn't want to lock myself into a new loan for another 5-7 yrs when my mine is almost paid off. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V082000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Audi stevens creek (3350 stevens creek blvd, san jose, ca 95117, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V082000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called dch Audi oxnard at [phone] (located at 1600 ventura blvd, oxnard, ca 93036) and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V079000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called keyes Audi (5239 van nuys blvd, los angeles, ca, [phone]) and was informed that the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Airbag complaints in other A3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Audi A3?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Audi A3, 47% of the model year's 43 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Audi A3 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-862 (inflator module, Dec 4, 2019); NHTSA recall 18V-082 (inflator module, Jan 30, 2018); NHTSA recall 16V-079 (inflator module, Feb 10, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Audi A3 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.