The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
If the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q3.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 17V-196 (17V196000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 69Q3 |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Component | Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification |
| Report date | March 22, 2017 |
| Owners notified | April 20, 2017 |
| Vehicles affected | 11,618 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the air bags
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 17V-196 repair free?
Yes. Audi dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q3.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 11,618 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.