Problems · by component

2015 Audi A3 air bags problems

83 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2015 Audi A3 cite air bags, 46% of all 180 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
83
46% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“For recall 21V198-69BY, I took my car to Audi of Birmingham on recall. They provided me a service form to show the repair had been made, but my passenger side air bag off light is still on because they didn't make the repair. It wasn't brought to my attention until I took my car for another repair job and the didn't make that repair, either.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2025Air bagsODI 11666282
“Dropped off car to audi arlington to fix recall. They said it was finished but did not update the recall status. Called audi multiple times to ask, was not able to reach them. Left voice mail and still no call back.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 1, 2023Air bags, Seats, Unknown or otherODI 11524881
“passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may detect a malfunction and switch off the passenger airbag even though the seat may be occupied. Cars battery has been replaced yet battery problems still occur.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 29, 2023Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11524298
“The contact owns a 2015 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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 8, 2022Air bagsODI 11492749
“How is it these recalls that effect life safety systems still do not have a solution? On top of it, there have been previous recalls on the same system. How is it acceptable to allow the manufacturer to not have a solution to this for 1.5 years? Manufacturer Recall Number: 69BY NHTSA Recall Number: 21V198 What does NHTSA do to ensure these are addressed in a timely manner?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2022Air bagsODI 11490655
“The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. 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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2022Air bagsODI 11490611

Showing 6 of 83 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Mar 22, 2021NHTSA 21V198000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2015 A3 problem areas