My 2016 Audi A3 (VIN [XXX]) underwent Safety Recall 69BY on XXX, to correct a defect in the front passenger occupant detection system (PODS), including replacement of the occupant detection sensor. Less than two years later, the same safety-system malfunction returned. The vehicle intermittently displays "Safety system: system fault," "Audi pre sense: system fault," and "Passenger airbag off." These warnings appear unpredictably and sometimes clear temporarily before returning. This malfunction creates a serious safety risk because the vehicle may fail to recognize a front-seat passenger and disable the passenger airbag during a collision. We cannot safely use the front passenger seat. On XXX, at 74,151 miles, Audi Marin diagnosed the malfunction and documented fault codes B102202, B102229, and B12251B. The dealership confirmed that diagnostic testing continued to indicate a faulty passenger occupant sensor (G128) and recommended replacement. Audi Marin's service manager informed us that Audi has redesigned the replacement component, but the updated part is on an extended backorder from [XXX]. The dealership cannot currently complete the repair. Audi of America acknowledged the prior recall repair but referred repair coverage decisions to the dealership, citing the expired warranty. The vehicle remains unrepaired and is available for inspection. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether the remedy installed under Safety Recall 69BY is failing prematurely, allowing the original passenger airbag safety defect to recur. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2016 Audi A3 airbags problems
37 complaints (44% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 44,000.
- owner complaints
- 37
- of this car's complaints
- 44%
- typical mileage
- 44,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Audi A3 airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Audi A3 airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Audi's customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.
Recall number 22V543000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
- Risk
- A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
Recall number 21V198000 · Recall details
What 2016 Audi A3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag occupant sensor failed to identify a passenger seat in the seat. A dealer was contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that PODS had failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
Passenger airbag not activated when passenger is seated
Passenger Occupancy Detection System is malfunctioning. Pre-sense system fault
Passenger air bag not working light of airbag system stays on
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the front passenger’s seat air bag sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The air bag warning was illuminated approximately one and a half years later. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who informed the contact that the repair was no longer covered under warranty. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a claim was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
PODS system recall was fixed, but not properly, 3 months after it was "fixed" the passenger airbag is off warning comes on beeping loud and turns off and back on constantly. Super annoying and dealership won't do anything without paying a huge fee.
I've been told by the dealer that a fix for the PODS system recall is still not available. This is after almost a year and a half of the issue being known. My car is now regularly illuminating the airbag light and beeping for the passenger to put the seat belt on even if no one is using the seat. This is becoming very annoying and I'm told there is no way to fix this.
I have been trying to get this recall fixed since December 2019. This recall are pods needed to be replaced on the passenger seat. As of today, October 21, 2022, my passenger airbag is off at all times and is unable to provide safety for my passenger. This is due to the recall. I have contacted Audi multiple times and they are unable to help. I have documentation proof for everything. This is a safety hazard for my passenger. I am too afraid to drive my car.
the light on the passenger side airbag is on all the time and a letter explaining my car had a recall to fix the issue was received back in 2020. I've been informed and also researched myself that the passenger side should not be used due to the airbag malfunctioning and being dangerous and possibly fatal. For those reasons I don't have anyone sitting in that sear and actually I don't feels safe having anyone in the back of the car. The dealerships say they do not have the parts
Questions about the 2016 Audi A3 airbags
Does the 2016 Audi A3 have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 37 complaints about the airbags of the 2016 Audi A3, 44% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2016 Audi A3 airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 44,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Audi A3 airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 22V543000, 21V198000. 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 2016 Audi A3 problems
Fuel system 21Electrical 16Engine 13Transmission 6Driver assistance 3Seat belts 2Seats 2Suspension 2Tires 2Visibility 2Acceleration 1Body 1Lights 1Locks 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2016 Audi A3?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history