Airbag warning light came on. Dealer said passenger seat occupancy sensor must be replaced, at cost of $1500-3000 since it's 5 months past my warranty. Numerous Audi models from 2012 onward have a recall for this sensor, but not my 2011 model (yet). Other automakers have extended their warranty for this safety-critical part -- BMW to 15 years, for example. Technicians could not tell me if the sensor error means all airbags are disabled, passenger airbag only is disabled, or passenger airbag is always-on (dangerous for children).
2011 Audi A3 airbags problems
20 complaints (47% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 56,000.
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 47%
- typical mileage
- 56,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Audi A3 airbags problems in other years
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298 or Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
Recall number 19V862000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V‑078.
Recall number 18V082000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834.
Recall number 16V079000 · Recall details
What 2011 Audi A3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 audi a3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Audi flatirons (13321 w midway blvd, broomfield, co 80020, (866) 604-3244) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Takata recall. I have received numerous notices from audi and the secretary of state's office that my a3 is recalled for the airbag replacement. I have been trying to schedule this since june with audi of kalamazoo, my local dealer. They schedule appointments for this 6 weeks out. They have twice cancelled my appointment the day before the service saying that they can't get the parts. I have been able to schedule an appointment with another dealer who report that they have not had such trouble getting the parts. Audi of kalamazoo's delay tactics have unnecessarily put my family at risk.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 audi a3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called dch audi oxnard at (805) 288-7728 (located at 1600 ventura blvd, oxnard, ca 93036) and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 audi a3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Audi stevens creek (3350 stevens creek blvd, san jose, ca 95117, (408) 244-5400) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Audi refuses to replace citing lack of parts yet keeps sending me notices to replace. This is wasting a lot of time for both parties.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 audi a3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v079000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called keyes audi (5239 van nuys blvd, los angeles, ca, (818) 528-5931) and was informed that the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall. The recall on this airbag issued in feb 2016 and I am still being told that there is no remedy available. Nothing has happened yet, but I am apparently driving around with an airbag that is known to be hazardous.
Unable to trade in vehicle with dealer. States only valued at $2500; $5000 less than actual trade in value. Unacceptable that audi does not stand by mistake.
Takata recall: audi has been unable to provide any information as to when the takata airbag inflator(s) will be replaced. It has been approximately one year, and we have kept the car garaged for fear of severe injury or death in the event of an accident. Audi has offered no information the status of the recall, no loaner vehicle/rental vehicle, and appears to have no plan in place for replacement of the affected airbag inflator(s).
Questions about the 2011 Audi A3 airbags
Does the 2011 Audi A3 have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the airbags of the 2011 Audi A3, 47% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2011 Audi A3 airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 56,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Audi A3 airbags?
Yes, 3 recalls: 19V862000, 18V082000, 16V079000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Audi A3 have bad airbags?
The Audi A3 model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (56 complaints), 2015 (45 complaints) and 2016 (37 complaints).
Other 2011 Audi A3 problems
Fuel system 10Engine 6Electrical 4Lights 3Transmission 3Acceleration 1Body 1Steering 1
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