Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Audi A3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 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.
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. …
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!
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.
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 [redacted] 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.
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 - [phone], 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.
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.
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.
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?
Related recalls
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.
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.
Airbag complaints in other A3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2015 Audi A3?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the air bags of the 2015 Audi A3, 48% of the model year's 93 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › passenger side › inflator module (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Audi A3 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-198 (front passenger, Mar 22, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2015 Audi A3 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 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.