The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·21V198000·Announced 2021-03-22

Audi Recalls A3 and S3 Models Due to Passenger Air Bag Defect

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling specific Audi A3 and S3 models because the passenger air bag may deactivate while the seat is occupied.

What this means for you

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 safety-critical component (passenger air bag) that may fail to deploy, creating a risk of injury during a crash, but the source text does not report any specific injuries or fatalities.

Plain-English summary

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 recall involves approximately 153,152 vehicles.

The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

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 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
AUDI A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON, S3, RS 3, A3
Brand
AUDI
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Passenger Air Bag
Hazard
Affected units
153,152

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 SPORTBACK E-TRON
  • S3
  • RS 3
  • A3

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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