The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·19V474000·Announced 2019-06-19

Audi Recalls Vehicles Due to Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Risk

Audi is recalling specific 2015-2019 models because an electrical issue may cause the passenger air bag to deactivate, increasing injury risk in a crash.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (deactivated air bag) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the High severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. The recall involves 138,896 vehicles.

An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

The recalled product

Product
AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, RS 3, A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON, S3
Brand
AUDI
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Air Bag / Safety System
Hazard
Affected units
138,896

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (4)

  • A3 CABRIOLET
  • RS 3
  • A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON
  • S3

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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