The front passenger air bag in your vehicle is a safety device that inflates to protect you in a crash. In some 2016 Audi models, this air bag may not work correctly, posing a serious risk to your safety.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag explodes during a crash, sharp metal fragments could hit you, causing severe injury or even death. If it doesn't deploy properly, you may not be safely restrained, increasing your risk of injury in a crash.
Free Fix
Your Audi dealer will replace the faulty front passenger air bag with a new one, at no cost to you. This repair is free, and you should schedule it as soon as you receive the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — 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.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
What Happened
The passenger air bag in your Audi is triggered by a sensor that detects whether the front passenger seat is occupied. In some 2015-2020 models, this sensor might fail to work correctly, thinking an empty seat is occupied.
Risk if Unfixed
If the sensor fails, your passenger air bag won't deploy when it should, which means you're at greater risk of injury if there's an accident.
Free Fix
Your Audi dealer will replace the faulty sensor mat and update the control module to ensure the air bag deploys when it's supposed to – all at no cost to you. You should schedule the repair as soon as you receive the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Original — 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.
The Passenger Occupant Detection System in your vehicle is designed to ensure the passenger air bag deploys when needed. But in some 2015-2019 Audi models, a faulty electrical connection could trick the system into thinking it's malfunctioning.
Risk if Unfixed
If the passenger air bag is deactivated, you could be at risk of injury in a crash, especially if you're riding in the passenger seat.
Free Fix
Your Audi dealer will fix the issue by replacing the faulty connector and re-routing the cable – free of charge. You'll get a notification, and they'll take care of the repair. Just schedule it as soon as you get the notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Original — Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.