Audi A3 owners have reported 25 seat belt related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common seat belt problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's seat belt (25 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Seat Belt problems |
Dear NHTSA, I am filing a complaint about the handling of a recall repair on my 2015 Audi A3 (VIN: [xxx] ) for the suction jet pump. The service experience has been frustrating and raises concerns about the repair’s quality. 1. First visit - inadequate information: during my first visit to the service center, over an hour away, I was turned away because my fuel level was too high. I was never informed that my gas tank needed to be below a certain level for the repair, resulting in wasted time and travel. 2. Second visit - check engine light still on my second visit, the suction jet pump was supposedly repaired, but my check engine light remained on. I had informed the service advisor that the light was related to an evap system malfunction, which I was told could be caused by a faulty suction jet pump. After speaking with multiple mechanics, I learned that a malfunctioning suction jet pump could cause fuel to enter the evap system, damaging parts like the purge valve or charcoal canister. 3. Unreasonable charges: the service advisor insisted that the remaining evap issues were unrelated to the recall and wanted to charge $220 for another diagnostic and repairs, without even inspecting the car after the recall service. This seems unfair, as there’s no way to confirm without a proper check. 4. Missing seat belt buckle: after the recall service, I discovered that the rear driver’s side seat belt buckle was missing. This is a major safety concern and needs to be addressed. I request NHTSA’s help in investigating the repair quality and ensuring these issues are resolved fairly. Thank you for your attention. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
My Audi A3 got the recall for pods done 5/2022 which the sensors and air bag in the passenger side weren’t working and I got the same lights come up 2 weeks ago. My dealership says since this was a recalled item and is a massive safety concern and should be covered by Audi USA. Instead they want to charge me $1400. I have 3 kids and one sits in the front, and need my car to take them to school and so forth so big safety feature I need. This is a huge safety issue and Audi needs to take accountability.
The passenger occupant detection system has permanently failed and causes my passenger airbag to be off at all times including when a passenger is seated in the vehicle. The seatbelt sensor also goes off when no one is in the seat. Audi dealership said this is an Audi issue and the parts are not in stock. This is a huge safety issue.
The contact owns a 2022 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v515000 (seat belts) and 22v652000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that the front and rear seat belts had malfunctioned. The seat belts would lock in position not enabling the passenger to release themselves from the seat belts. The seat belts sometimes fail to tighten and secure the passenger while seated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 26,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Sensor in seat, has illuminated airbag light on dash and says airbag is off for passenger, sest belt light is illuminated even though no one is sitting in the seat, have to have sent belt clipped in to have warning light stop chiming have contacted dealership and they say there is nothing they can do about it, also called Audi USA and had the issue escalated and haven't heard from anyone at all amd its been over a week.
Unknown.
Recall on this vehicle several years ago. Taken to the Audi dealership for repairs of the recall. No change after recall repairs completed. The airbag and seatbelt warning lights have continued to light up.
Audi recall #69z4, NHTSA recall #19v474 the car was under a previous recall for the same problem, which was �fixed� by dealer sometime in 2019. Currently the car shows airbag is deactivated, the unbuckled seatbelt warning lights and sounds flashes even when the seat is unoccupied. Spoke the Audi of ontario,CA on several occasions. They refuse to fix the vehicle. Service manager will not return phone calls. This is the second time this component had to be replaced, and the dealer is refusing to repair it. The passenger airbag off light stays on, when the seat is unoccupied, this happens as soon as the vehicle is started. The unfastened seatbelt light, and airbag light remain on while driving. Unfastened seatbelt sounds continue for 2-3 minutes after the car is started, then goes away.
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 21v198000 (air bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag and the seat belt warning lights were illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 48,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The vehicle was affected previously and confirmed fixed by Audi under recall 69z4 for the occupant sensor. The airbag, seatbelt, Audi presense error light will illuminate at times regardless of whether an occupant is sitting in the passenger seat going on and off sporadically while driving or stationary. The vehicle is eligible to be fixed under warranty, however it appears their original fix under the recall was not adequate in resolving the occupant airbag sensor light and poses a safety hazard to passengers if the airbag were to turn off while an accident occurred. After a recent diagnostic the codes that appeared are similar to what would occur prior to Audi's "fix" to the recall.
Car received pods recall fix coded 69z4 in January 2020. The fix did not solve the annoying and life threatening malfunctionion that leads to Audi presense failure alert and deactivation of the passenger airbag system when a passenger is seated. It would also trigger the error when no passenger was seated, requiring to fasten the seatbelt to an empty seat to get rid of the seatbelt beeps. Car was taken in to Audi dealership October and after an inspection, the issue was found to be the sensor itself this time. The diagnosis report diligently ruled out any problem with the connector and wiring whose fault would mean a potential repair and the inspection would be at no cost to owner. However, like everyone else's complaints owner was presented with a 1,500 dollar quote for replacing the sensor + $250 fee for using their vagcom ("inspection"). The error code was b12251b (mat resistance too high). Audi's internal documents accessed through NHTSA report that "if fault, �b12251b: seat occupied recognition sensor mat resistance too high� is stored in the airbag control module, do not diagnose or replace any components for this fault before performing this repair. The 69z4 topic is not the only cause of this fault. Any diagnosis related to this fault will not be covered under this campaign. " Audi openly admits that the scope of the 69z4 recall and the sensor issue are linked together by virtue of having similar behaviors for the car systems as well as fault codes. However Audi performs the cheaper bandaid out of pocket and expects the owner to pay for the faulty part which should have been part of the recall in the first place. This many complaints about the same behaviour and same part (that is traditionally not your usual wear&and&tear part like a battery) warrant an investigation of the malpractices of Audi in dealing with this recall and its customers.
While driving the car on a city street, the seat belt warning light came on, a warning came on indicating that the passenger airbag was disconnected, followed by an Audible warning. There was an adult passenger in the passenger seat who was properly belted in. Recall "fix" 69z4 has been applied to the vehicle.
Regardless of front seat passenger presence: �passenger airbag off�, �seatbelt off�, and �pre sense off� warning messages illuminate at car start, restart, drive, park, restart, repeat. Unable to clear warnings. Also appears in vehicle dash warning system. Started noticing intermittently after airbag recall addressed, not sure if exact date. Now, the malfunction is constant.
Cat feels unstable when I drive over 70 miles on the freeway. . Also seatbelts lock room hard.
Passenger airbag does not turn on. Warning light is displayed and error safety message is on screen when care is turned on and operating. Additionally seatbelt alarm continues to chime while seatbelt is used.
Audi recall campaign 69z4 was supposed to fix the passenger occupant detection system malfunction by replacing a connector and harness. This has not fixed the issues. Many Audi customers saying the seat belt alarm and warning light still come on. Mine will not shut off until I plug the seat belt back in, but then my airbags turn on and off randomly even if there is an occupant in the passenger seat. This was the cheap fix. Audi acknowledges the issue with the actual pods sensor but makes customers pay $1,200 for the safety fix. This should have been part of the recall. Audi blames mine on the damage to the rear of the car, but the photos pre-date the damage to the rear bumper.
The passenger side air bag is permanently disable, even when a passenger is seated on it- it appears the sensor under the seat does is not working properly. This is critical malfunction as the passenger will not be protected in a collision case. Additionally, the seatbelt light comes on to fasten seatbelt even when no one is sat on that seat and won't go away until the belt is fasten. I have been waiting for Audi to include my vehicle in the current national recall to fix that problem.
There was recently a pods recall for the wiring harness going to the occupant detection sensor the recall did not fix the issues for many people. Car will randomly think someone is setting in the passenger seat and activate airbag and cause the seatbelt light to chime constantly while driving causing the air bag to turn on and off. The sensor imbedded in the bottom of the seat is faulty.
I am experiencing issues with the passenger seat airbag. Airbag is disable when passenger is sat on the seat. Additionally, the seatbelt sensor calls for fastening when no one is sat on the seat, passenger side as well. I believe my vehicle is experiencing issues already accounted for in the most recent recall.
The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front driver’s side seat belt buckle locking mechanism malfunctioned, and the seat belt could not be securely latched. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The failure was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
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 off! this has been happening for quite some time.
While driving conti pro contact tires 225/40r/18 92hxl while driving 65 mph the front driver side thread seperated causing the tire to blow out. Losing control and almost crashing the vehicle. I was left strained until tow truck arrived at the scence.
The shoulder strap of the front seat belt is a few inches from my body when fastened. I am tall and skinny so this may not be an issue with other body types. The problem is due to a rigid seat belt receptacle that is tilted forward and fixed in place. Every other Audi model has a flexible seat belt receptacle which allows the shoulder strap to fit snugly against my body. Only the A3 has this issue. I have the seat back as far forward as is comfortable.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. While driving, the air bag and seat belt warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (niello Audi located at 2350 auburn blvd sacramento, CA 95821, (916) 480-2800) approximately three months ago, but the diagnostic results and repairs were unknown. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times after the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
Center seatbelt locks in the fully retracted position every time the rear seat is lowered and requires taking the vehicle to dealer to repaired.