Volkswagen Group of America, Inc
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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moderate Owners of the 2017 Audi A3 have filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 A3 | 10 |
| 2015 A3 | 71 |
| 2016 A3 | 45 |
| 2017 A3 (this page) | 9 |
| 2018 A3 | 22 |
| 2019 A3 | 6 |
| 2020 A3 | 9 |
Airbags accounts for 25% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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 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.
Passenger airbags, and emergency braking have been failing, i would have to be aware in advance if my vehicle needs to be checked, my safety and my passengers safety is in danger because incase i need to brake quickly but dont have the reaction time to do so i will crash since emergency brake doesnt work, and my passengers would be at high risk because of failing airbags, im unsure if the problem…
The front-passenger airbag deactivated while my father was riding in the car and the corresponding warning light came on. The error first occurred prior to the Mar 2021 Recall. I notified Audi multiple times that my vehicle had this problem, but Audi has not repaired it or offered me an alternative option.
Hello, My vehicle has a non working passenger seat airbag due to a malfunctioning PODS (Passenger Occupant Detection Sensor). Audi states that such cannot be fixed as a fix has not yet been approved. It has been seven months since this recall has been issued and I am afraid to carry passengers in my vehicle due to the non-functioning airbag. How can I have my vehicle repaired on an expeditious…
There has been an open recall on my car since March 2021 (NHTSA recall number 21V198) which prevents the passenger airbag from functioning properly. Because the airbag isn't working it also disables my forward collision assistance. It took Audi 2 months to mail notice of the recall and 6 months later there is still no remedy or timeframe for a remedy. A recall affecting an airbag should not…
Passenger airbag sporadically turns off, and constantly shows the seat belt unfastened (unclear if something is wrong with its functionality also). This also turned off the Audi presense/ auto stop feature at the same time. When I told Audi this at the dealership, they said they had no solution other than 'don't sit in the passenger seat', and had no idea when it might end
The seat sensor on the passenger side is faulty, causing the air bag light to staty on while operating the vehicle - the "pre-sense" light to stay on - and the un-buckled seat belt alarm to stay going off. All while operating the vehicle. The brand dealership said airbag maynot deploy while seat sensor is malfuctioning. $1200 repair.
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 9 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
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.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.