This bulletin provides information when the airbag warning light is on, DTC B13BCF2 stored in the airbag control module.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Audi A3 airbags problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Audi A3 have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 A3 | 71 |
| 2016 A3 | 45 |
| 2017 A3 | 9 |
| 2018 A3 | 22 |
| 2019 A3 (this page) | 6 |
| 2020 A3 | 9 |
When does it fail?
Of the 6 airbags complaints filed for the 2019 Audi A3, 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
Of the 14 model years of Audi A3 we track for airbags problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (6).
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 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.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The contact leased a 2019 Audi A3. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light had failed to operate as needed. The contact then received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2019 Audi a3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v474000 (air bags). The contact called an unknown dealer and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was contacted and did not know when the part would be available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Audi has stated there are no parts available to address the PODS recall 21V198 since March 2021. My dealership sold my vehicle to me at the end of my lease without having addressed this safety recall.
UNKNOWN
The contact leased a 2019 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. Additionally, the contact called a second dealer, Audi Pembroke Pines (15000 Sheridan St, Pembroke Pines, FL 33331) and a third dealer, The Collection Audi (200 Bird Rd, Coral Gables,…
The contact owns a 2019 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 dealer confirmed that only five parts were received per week. The contact was informed that she could not be added to the waiting list. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a…
Had airbags trouble with your 2019 Audi A3?
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 2019 Audi A3?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 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 6 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 40,000 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/2019/Audi/A3.
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.