NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Audi A3. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that she noticed there was fuel leaking on the ground while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the adapt system solenoid and charcoal canister was repaired. However, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V647000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 67,800.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, the contact noticed that the fuel door was sticking. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with a faulty fuel actuator which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The engine low oil light keeps coming on, the oil has been changed already, I’ve had the car for more than 7 months I haven’t even driven it over 5000 miles yet. Audi needs to fix this. The power train is also the same, some days it works okay and some days it doesn’t. The cars struggles sometimes to even reach speeds up to 50 mph.I’ve taken this vehicle to the Audi dealship as well as to a foreign certified mechanic shop. They can’t figure out the problem. The engine light should not be coming on randomly when I have fully serviced the vehicle. Audi please fix these problems.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the alarm repeatedly activated causing the battery to drain. The vehicle was repaired prior to the recall however, the failure persisted. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
My airbag light randomly goes off while driving or parked. Someone can be in or not in the seat. Shows they’re not buckled in while they are. It sounds with a ding. Documents at dealership where they told me it was my own issue. I was saving to do their repair recommendations.
Manufacturer Recall Number69BY NHTSA Recall Number21V198
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called Audi Fort Lauderdale (1200 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 545-4650) and Audi North Miami(1995 NE 142nd St, North Miami, FL 33181, (305) 952-5900), and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the repair failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to repair the vehicle in a timely manner. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY 2015 AUDI THAT SO MANY OTHERS I READ ARE HAVING, MY PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR KEEPS TURNING ON AND OFF WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. IM NOW CONCERNED AFTER READING ALL THESE REPORTS THAT IM GOING TO GET HOSED SINCE AUDI ISNT DOING THE PROPER THING AND FIXING WHATS ACTUALLY WRONG WITH THIS CAR. WHOS RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE PASSENGER IN MY CAR DIES BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS OFF DUE TO A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT THAT WAS IGNORED?
I have an active recall for the passenger occupant detection system in which Audi has failed to have the available parts to repair this recall in a timely manner.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN OCTOBER 2020 CAR WAS SLOW TO TAKE OFF FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND SEEMED TO TAKE TIME TO SHIFT GEARS. TOOK TO AUDI MECHANIC AND HAD TO REPLACE WATER PUMP -W/THERMOSTAT HOUSING & INTAKE MANIFOLD. NOW I'M APRIL 2021 CAR IS BACK IN SHOP BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR SUDDENLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, I PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT TO TURN CAR OFF AND THEN GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE STATING TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION CANNOT REVERSE AND HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC AGAIN. I'M TOLD IT NEEDS MECHATRONIC UNIT REPLACED, REPLACE TIMING COVER DUE TO OIL LEAK, EVAP LEAK AND WIPER FLUID IS LEAKING.
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!
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.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified about the recall however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer and Audi Stratham (58 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham, NH 03885) were contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
I have waited for Audi for 18 months to fix the recalled part. I called them multiple times. It is still not available. I fear my wife's life when she's sitting on the passenger seat which was affected by the recall. We can't use the car as normal and it reduces the resale value.
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 - 855 832 8796, 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.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
PODS FAILURE. PASSENGER OCCUPANCY DEVICE. WHEN NOT WORKING, PASSENGER AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF WHILE PASSENGER IN SEAT. IN MY CASE THE PART WAS REPLACED AT 10,208 MILES AND FAILED AGAIN AT 13,924 MILES. AUDI REPLACED THE SENSOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER A LOT OF DEBATE, BUT REFUSE THE SECOND TIME. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HARNESS THAT PLUGS INTO THE SENSOR, BUT NOT THE SENSOR ITSELF. CRITICAL AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM SHOULD NOT FAIL AT THIS MILEAGE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS FAILURES HIGHLIGHTED IN MANY AUDI FORUMS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR AUDI, AND THE NUMEROUS OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE.
There’s an open recall since march/2021 and Audi refuses to fix it, Since it relates to the airbag systems it’s really dangerous
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.
passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may detect a malfunction and switch off the passenger airbag even though the seat may be occupied. Cars battery has been replaced yet battery problems still occur.
During cold ambient temperature when the engine is cold the vehicle activates an axillary cabin heater which fills the cabin with smoke and burning odor due to the heating element burning the housing and wiring inside the dash. This is a serious danger risking vehicle fire and health hazard for the operator and occupants of the vehicle. It appears multiple other Audi vehicles have a similar/same heating element that have the same issue. The 2015 A4 and Q5 appear to have a recall for this issue.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI VIRGINIA BEACH (2865 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS) WHERE THE CABLE TIES IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT AND PODS HARNESS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE ALL CONNECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.
JUNE 2018 PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR PASSENGER PODS DUE TO FAULTY SENSOR FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG. 10/2019 RECALL FOR WIRING WAS DONE. OCTOBER 29 2020, PODS NEED REPLACED AGAIN! OUT OF WARRANTY! THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND AFTER VIEWING MULTIPLE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE, A RECALL MUST BE DONE! AUDI NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ADDRESS THEIR FAULTY ISSUE WHICH SHOULD HE COVERED UNDER RECALL. GOD FORBID SOMEONE BECOME SERIOUSLY INJURED OR LOSE THEIR LIFE DUE TO AUDIS LACK OF RESPONSE. I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT I LUST PAY OUT OF POCKET ONCE AGAIN TO REPAIR!
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.
WITH AN SOMETHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT A WARNING MESSAGE SAYS THAT BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION, THE AIRBAGS ARE TURNED OFF. A FEW SECONDS TO A MINUTE OR TWO LATER ANOTHER MESSAGE SAYS THE AIRBAGS ARE ON. THIS SEQUENCE CAN APPEAR MANY TIMES IN AN HOUR OF DRIVING OR NOT APPEAR AT ALL FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS REPORTED AND RECALLED FOR CERTAIN 2018 AUDI S5 AND A5 VEHICLES ALONG WITH SOME 2017-2018 A4S. I'VE NOTICED THIS HAPPENING WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. I THOUGHT THAT I HAD THE ORIGINAL AIRBAG ISSUE FIXED WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICES FOR THE RECALL OF FAULTY WIRING UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT, BUT AUDI IN CARY NORTH CAROLINA SAID THAT THIS IS A SEPARATE ISSUE AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE FORMER RECAL.
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.
MY AUDI A3 CONTINUALLY HAS A PRESENCE SYSTEM FAULT WHEN THE CAR STARTS WHICH INDICATES THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. AS A RESULT IT TURNS OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG EVEN WITH THE SEAT OCCUPIED WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. AUDI HAS INDICATED THAT THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS ISSUE TO AUDI.S ATTENTION FOR OVER FOUR YEARS WITH NO RESOLUTION. THIS ISSUE HAS CONTINUED DESPITE A PRIOR RECALL SERVICE ON ANOTHER CONNECTOR WITH THE PODS SYSTEM HOWEVER IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT FIX THE ISSSUE CONTINUED AND AUDI INDICATES IT ACTUALLY LIKES WITH A FAULTY SENSOR. THIS ISSUE OCCURS RANDOMLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED OR WHILE ALREADY DRIVING, THE ERROR MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND PUT AN ALERT ON THE MAIN DASHBOARD WHICH IS UNNERVING AND DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING. I PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED AUDI PICTURES OF THE ALERT MESSAGES MULTIPLE TIMES OVER SEVERAL YEARS WITH NO RESOLUTION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A FALSE WARNING FROM THE AIR BAG SYSTEM THAT DEACTIVATED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RUSNAK/PASADENA AUDI (267 W COLORADO BLVD, PASADENA, CA 91105, (626) 714-3159). THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET AUTHORIZED THE REPAIRS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT HAD NOT YET RESPONDED TO THE VEHICLE OWNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
2015 AUDI A3 ,18000 MILES, O2 SENSOR BANKJ 1(AFTER THE ENGINE) WAS CHANGE BANK 2 CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST NOT CHANGE BUT KEEP GOING BACK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NEED HELP.
SEPT 2019 RECALL FOR AIRBAG CONNECTOR AND WIRING. REPAIRED IN OCT. SAFETY BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN FOR THE SAME SEAT, THEY SAY NOW IT IS SENSOR NOT THE RECALL ITEM. THERE ARE 75 OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. SEEMS LIKE RECALL SHOULD HAVE REPLACED SENSOR AS WELL. NOW IT COSTS $1300 TO FIX SENSOR WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AT THE TIME OR AT LEAST OFFERED TO REPLACE WHEN TEHEY HAD THE RECALL SEAT TORN APART TO SAVE $1K IN LABOR.
CAT FEELS UNSTABLE WHEN I DRIVE OVER 70 MILES ON THE FREEWAY.. ALSO SEATBELTS LOCK ROOM HARD
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) had failed to operate with a passenger seated in the front passenger’s seat. The contact then received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that an interim repair could be performed on the vehicle however, due to previous poor service, the contact decided not to have the recall repaired at that dealer. The contact then took the vehicle to Audi Gilbert (3235 S Gilbert Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85297) where they informed him that they would have to scan the vehicle prior to having the interim repair performed. The contact notified manufacturer and the manufacturer spoke with the dealer. The contact was called back by the manufacturer and was informed that since his vehicle was no longer under warranty he had to pay for the vehicle to be scanned, as well as, for the interim repair to be performed on the vehicle. The contact refused the service. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
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.
FOR THE LAST 4 DAYS I HAVE HAD SOMEONE GET INTO MY PASSENGER SEAT AND RANDOMLY WHILE I'M DRIVING AND THE CAR IS IN MOTION THE AIRBAG SIGNAL STATES ' PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF' IT FLASHES TO NOTIFY ME IT HAS TURNED OF. I COMPLETED RESEARCH AND FOUND THEIR IS A RECALL ON AUDI VEHICLES FOR THIS COMPLAINT BUT ONLY 2016 AND A FEW OTHER YEARS. I BELIEVE THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO 2015 AS WELL. *TR
MY 2015 AUDI A3 HAS ONLY 11,200 MILES ON IT. THE PASSENGER BAG SAFETY LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, AND HAS DONE FOR SOME TIME. THE PROBLEM OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT, BUT OCCASIONALLY IT WILL OCCUR WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED. THE YELLOW DASH LIGHT COMES ON NEAR THE PASSENGER AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATES. THE INFORMATION PANEL ON THE DASH WILL SIMULTANEOUSLY REPORT "SAFETY SYSTEM: SYSTEM FAULT! SEE OWNER'S MANUAL" AND "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" AND "AUDI PRE SENSE: SYSTEM FAULT!". THIS FAULT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 8-10 TIMES DURING A 1,000 MILE TRIP MY WIFE AND I TOOK DURING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN 2020. I HAD MY WIFE TRY ADJUSTING THE ANGLE OF THE SEAT, RAISING THE FRONT PORTION HIGHER TO TRY TO APPLY MORE BODY WEIGHT TO THE SEAT. MY THINKING WAS THAT IT WAS A SENSOR ISSUE. THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO SHUT OFF IF A PASSENGER DOES NOT WEIGH ENOUGH FOR THE AIRBAG TO SAFELY DEPLOY. THE SYSTEM FAULT ACTS LIKE IT DETECTS SOME WEIGHT THERE, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO ENGAGE THE AIRBAG SAFELY. MY BEST GUESS IS THAT THE WEIGHT SENSOR IS NOT REGISTERING THE WEIGHT CORRECTLY OR MAINTAINING A CONSISTENT READING THAT WOULD KEEP THE AIRBAG ENGAGED OVER TIME. THE PICTURE ATTACHED TO THIS REPORT WERE TAKEN ON MAY 25, 2020 DURING OUR TRIP, BUT THIS HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS. AFTER GETTING ONLINE TO GOOGLE FOR ANSWERS, I CAN SEE THAT MANY OTHERS ARE DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING. I SEE THAT THE 2015 MODEL MAY HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT OF A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY INPUT TO ALL OTHERS THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED FOR MODEL YEAR 2015 AUDI A3 SEDANS (AND POSSIBLY OTHER AUDI MODELS). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AUDI WESTMONT (276 E OGDEN AVE, WESTMONT, IL 60559) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN UNKNOWN AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
AUDI PASSENGER OCCUPANT SYSTEM CONSISTENTLY FAULTS EFFECTIVELY DISABLING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS ISSUE OCCURS MOSTLY WHILE A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT, BUT FROM TIME TO TIME WILL OCCUR WHEN NO PASSENGER IS PRESENT. IT OCCURS WHILE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION DURING NORMAL DAY TO DAY DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THE PODS RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2019, WHICH HAS MADE THE ISSUE WORSE. *TR
SHORTLY AFTER HAVING RECALL 69Z4 COMPLETED (HARNESS AND CONNECTOR) COMPLETED STARTED GETTING WARNINGS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT WORKING AND WHEN SOMEONE WAS NOT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT GETTING A SEATBELT WARNING. ALSO ERROR ON DISPLAY ABOUT PRE-SENSE ERROR. WENT TO DEALER AND POINT OUT THIS STARTED RIGHT AFTER THE RECALL AND THEY SAID DIFFERENT ISSUE AND HAS IMPACTED A LOT OF OTHERS. NOW THEY SAY THE PODS (PASSENGER OCCUPANCY DETECTION SYSTEM) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED QUOTING ME APPROXIMATELY $1200 TO FIX. DUE TO THE FAULT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT OPERATE. IN ADDITION TO MY DEALER TELLING ME IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM, WHEN LOOKING AT THE FORUMS IT SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM ACROSS MANY AUDI MODELS, NOT JUST THE A3, S3.
AUDI HAS A RECALL TO FIX THE WIRING IN THE PODS SYSTEM, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE COMPONENTS TO DETECT AND PROTECT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT EXISTS. THE RECALL DOES NOT FIX THE SENSOR ITSELF WHICH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS AN EXISTING FAILURE ISSUE. KNOWING THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AUDI HAS YET TO RECALL THE SENSOR AS PART OF THE SYSTEM TO DETECT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THIS IS AS BAD IF NOT WORSE THEN THE AIRBAG RECALL THAT EXISTS TODAY. THEIR EXPLANATION IS THAT THE SENSOR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE ITS A DIFFERENT COMPONENT THAN THE WIRING HARNESS, EVEN THOUGH THE HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE SENSOR AND THE CONNECTION WAS PART OF THE PREVIOUS RECALL. INSTEAD THEY WANT TO CHARGE BETWEEN 1200 AND 1300 DOLLARS FOR EACH REPLACED SENSOR. THIS ISSUE WILL CAUSE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO FAIL TO ACTIVATE BECAUSE THE SENSOR DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER OR NOT. ADDITIONALLY THERE COULD BE INJURY TO THE DRIVER ON DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INADVERTENTLY DUE TO SENSOR FAILURE TO CORRECTLY IDENTIFY OCCUPANT. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM AND SHOULD NOT BE MANAGED AS SUCH AS A FAILING USE PART. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS A SAFETY ITEM.
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.
IN 2019, I WAS NOTIFIED OF A RECALL CONSISTING OF THE PODS(PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM) SYSTEM STATING THAT THE WIRING AND CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE RECALL SERVICE REPAIRS DONE. AFTER COMPLETION OF THE RECALL REPAIRS, I HAVE NOW BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH MY AIRBAG SENSOR WHICH IS PART OF THE PODS SYSTEM. AROUND MARCH 2020, I BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY AIRBAG TURNING ON AND OFF WHILE A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN MY PASSENGER SEAT WITH THE SEATBELT ON. I WOULD HAVE TO INSTRUCT MY PASSENGER TO DISENGAGE THE SEATBELT AND RE-ENGAGE IT IN ORDER FOR THE AIRBAG TO COME BACK ON AND RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A PERSON OVER THE MINIMAL WEIGHT REQUIREMENT OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THIS ISSUE HAVE CONTINUED TO OCCUR ON AND OFF THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. ON NOV. 6TH, I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT(REAR-ENDED) WITH NO MAJOR INJURIES. THAT ACCIDENT WAS LUCKILY NOT VERY SEVERE AND I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT I DIDN'T HIT THE CAR THAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME AND NEEDED MY AIRBAG TO DEPLOY AND I WOULDN'T DUE TO A FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR THAT WAS FINE UNTIL THE RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2019. SO ON FRIDAY, NOV 13TH, I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WHEN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS IN FACT MY SENSOR INSIDE MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE WIRING AND CONNECTOR WAS CHANGED IN DEC 2019. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICE OF THE AUTO MAKER AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO PAY ANY PART OF THE COST TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED AND I AM BEING QUOTED A REPAIR PRICE OF $1200 AND THAT'S JUST FOR THE PART ALONE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I FEEL THAT SINCE THE COMPANY ISSUED A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WIRING AND CONNECTOR, THEY SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR THE AIRBAG SENSOR BEFORE A FATAL ACCIDENT OCCURS TO A PASSENGER OF THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE CURRENTLY SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE POSTED ON THIS SITE AND SEVERAL OTHERS.
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. As of now, the airbag warning light is on, the airbag indicator says “Airbag has been disabled” and the diagnostic readout reports “Sensor resistance too high"
AFTER RECENT CAR INSPECTION DUE TO RECALL FOR PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION I WAS INFORMED THAT WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 55 000 MILES ON IT. OTHER AUDI MODELS APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY HAVE BEEN RECALLED, HOWEVER NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR AUDI A3 2015. AS A MANUFACTURER AUDI MUST TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAULTY PARTS AND IT SHOULD REPLACE THEM ON THEIR OWN EXPENSE.