PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILURE, RESULTING IN ILLUMINATED AIR BAG MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP. EXCESSIVE RESISTANCE IN THE OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, INDICATING AN INTERNALLY FAILING SENSOR AND RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE AIR BAG SYSTEM BECOMING DISABLED. AUDI HAS ISSUED RECALLS FOR OTHER VEHICLE MODELS IN THIS YEAR FOR THIS EXACT DEFECT, AND THE RESOLUTION IN THOSE…
2015 audi A3 airbags problems
moderate 71 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
Complaints
71
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$1,100
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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 [XXX] and I used my stateside a…
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 H…
Unknown
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.
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.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2015 audi A3?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 71 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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