2012 Audi A3 Airbags Problems
Airbags account for 31 of 43 complaints (72%) filed for the 2012 Audi A3, mostly tied to Takata driver frontal airbag inflator recalls. Median mileage at failure is 60,000. Three related recalls exist, and one crash was reported among these complaints.
- Airbags complaints
- 31
- 72% of 43
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 60,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Owners report receiving Takata airbag recall notices (campaign 16V079000) but being told replacement inflator parts were unavailable for extended periods.
- Several owners say dealers could not provide a repair date and declined to offer loaner or rental vehicles while parts were backordered.
- One owner reported a crash after experiencing an issue tied to the driver's side airbag system.
- Some owners describe contacting multiple dealers or Audi corporate directly and getting inconsistent or no answers about repair timing.
- A few owners say they stopped driving the car because they considered the unrepaired Takata inflator unsafe.
- One owner questioned whether vehicles that spent time in humid climates should get repair priority due to inflator degradation risk.
When 2012 Audi A3 airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 22, 2016, latest Jan 4, 2022.
Airbags recalls for the 2012 Audi A3
- NHTSA 19V862000Dec 4, 2019Airbags226 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
- NHTSA 18V082000Jan 30, 2018Airbags162,782 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
- NHTSA 16V079000Feb 10, 2016Airbags151,767 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Airbags complaints by A3 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Is airbag failure common on the 2012 Audi A3?
- Yes. NHTSA data shows 31 airbag-related complaints out of 43 total complaints for the 2012 A3, or 72% of all complaints filed for that year.
- Does the 2012 Audi A3 have an airbag recall?
- Yes, three related recalls are listed: campaigns 16V079000, 18V082000, and 19V862000, all involving replacement of the driver's frontal airbag inflator, tied to the Takata inflator issue.
- At what mileage do airbag problems show up on the 2012 A3?
- The median mileage at failure among reported airbag complaints is 60,000 miles.
- Were there any crashes linked to airbag problems on the 2012 A3?
- NHTSA complaint data lists one crash among the airbag-related complaints for the 2012 Audi A3, with no reported fires or injuries.
- What did most 2012 Audi A3 owners complain about regarding airbags?
- Most complaints describe delays getting the Takata driver airbag inflator recall repair completed, citing parts unavailability rather than a new airbag failure.