This bulletin provides information when the airbag warning light is on, DTC B13BCF2 stored in the airbag control module.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Audi S3 airbags problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
When does it fail?
Of the 11 airbags complaints filed for the 2016 Audi S3, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides information when the airbag warning light is on, DTC B13BCF2 stored in the airbag control module.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information for when the airbag warning light is on and DTC B13BCF2 is stored in the airbag control module.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains instructions for when the airbag warning is illuminated and DTC B13BCF2 is stored.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains instructions for when the airbag warning is illuminated and DTC B13BCF2 is stored.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two main problems with the 2016 Audi S3 airbag system. First, the passenger-side airbag disables itself without warning—the dashboard shows "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" or "SAFETY SYSTEM: SYSTEM FAULT" warnings even when a passenger is occupying the seat. The airbag either stays off or toggles on and off while driving. This reportedly happens regardless of whether an occupancy sensor or PODs (Passenger Occupancy Detection System) has been replaced.
Second, and more concerning, multiple owners report that after Audi performed recall 69Z4 (NHTSA 19V474) to address the airbag system, the problem worsened or appeared entirely after the work. Dealers then refuse to cover the resulting repairs, citing they fall outside the recall scope. Repair quotes for the PODs unit or related components range from $1,300 to $1,700. Owners report returning to dealerships multiple times for the same issue without resolution, and some dealerships have allegedly refused to complete the recall work itself without customer payment. The Audi Pre-Sense system has also shown fault messages tied to these repairs.
Same Audi S3 airbags reports on nearby years: 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger airbag disabled or toggling on/off
Passenger-side airbag disables itself, remains off, or toggles between enabled and disabled while driving, even with an occupied seat. Dashboard warnings include 'PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF' or 'SAFETY SYSTEM: SYSTEM FAULT! SEE OWNER'S MANUAL.'
When: Some owners report it after recall work; others experience intermittent disabling while driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard warning 'PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF'; Warning 'SAFETY SYSTEM: SYSTEM FAULT! SEE OWNER'S MANUAL'; Airbag toggles on and off while driving; Airbag disabled even with passenger seated; 'AUDI PRE-SENSE: SYSTEM FAULT' warning
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 19V474 (Recall 69Z4)
Repairs/costs cited: PODs (Passenger Occupancy Detection System) unit replacement quoted at $1,300–$1,700. Occupancy sensor replacement under warranty reportedly failed to resolve the issue in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 69Z4 (NHTSA 19V474) issued to repair or replace PODs system. Audi dealers have refused to cover repairs performed after recall work, claiming they fall outside recall scope. Some dealerships allegedly refused to complete recall work without customer payment.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
Pod which controls the passenger air bag
Front passenger airbag keeps shutting off and on when while driving and with a passenger sitting on the seat. Car was repaired once before for the same issue but the issue keeps showing again. A recall has been issued recently for this issue.
Airbag issue on the passenger side. A recall was done in december 2019 and the issue persisted and now the dealer wants more than $1,300 to fix the issue.
After bringing in my vehicle for service, the dealer informed me of a necessary recall repair that would prevent potential passenger airbag failure. I authorized the repair, although I had not encountered any issues prior. However about a month after the repair, I began to receive a flashing warning on the dash while driving and sometimes immediately after starting the car while stationary which…
Passenger front air bag seat sensor was replaced under warranty yet the problem wasn't fixed. Seat wont detect passenger and passenger airbag wont deploy because of it. Audi says the whole sensor needs to be replaced and is a wear and tear part, which it is not! The nhstsa must hold Audi accountable for a full fix not a half fix. Do your jobs!! Look into this problem its dangerous!
1. Passenger airbag has been off for 2 weeks. 2. On the information screen there has been a system malfunction ever since. 3. Car has been taken for repair to dealership for 3 times and the issue keeps coming back.
Dashboard warning lights indicating air bag is off even when passenger seat is occupied. Under warranty service was performed and failed to address the issue, was told by dealer that the repair would be $1400 despite safety recall and inadequate effort made to repair vehicle safety issue under warranty. Audi of grapevine, texas appear to be crooks.
Received notice for safety recall to have PODs system repaired or replaced free of charge by Audi. Took my vehicle in for the recall. Audi wanted to charge me to complete this safety recall and refused to complete the recall if I didn't pay. This was bluegrass motorsports in Louisville ky. They also damaged my vehicles door trim and stole money from my glove box(my fault for leaving money…
Where do I start? We have taken this car into the Audi dealership four times due to the engine. Overheating and being almost stranded in the middle of nowhere with it because oil was needing to be added to the engine all the time and after charging us hundreds and hundreds of dollars to do to plug in Their service computer system they finally realized that the car third high-pressure fuel pump…
Car had no issues prior to recall 69z4. After Audi dealership performed work to satisfy recall 69z4 (NHTSA 19v474), the affected system (pods) now does not function at all. This renders the passenger seat airbag inoperable regardless of whether it is occupied. Audi will not cover the additional repair to the system that was perfectly functional until their recall repair was performed. This…
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 Audi S3?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2016 Audi S3?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 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?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 48,429 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Audi/S3.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.