2015 Audi A3 airbags problems

The 2015 Audi A3 has 46 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 35% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Airbags complaints

35%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

A3 airbags complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

21V198000AirbagsMarch 22, 2021 · 153,152 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

“MY CAR KEEPS HAVING A SAFETY SYSTEM FAULT. THERE ARE TWO ERRORS: 1. THE "PAASENGER AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR STAYS ON EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT 2. BUCKLE SEATBELT SIGN IS ON WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER I TOOK MY CAR FOR A RECALL BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE OF THE AIRBAG BEING…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 25, 2019

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2015 Audi A3 have?

NHTSA has 46 complaints about the 2015 Audi A3 airbags — 35% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2015 Audi A3 airbags?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the airbags: 21V198000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.