Does the 2013 Audi A6 have an airbag recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls, 18V370000 and 15V823000, both covering the passenger seat PODS (occupant detection) system on 2013 Audi A6 vehicles.

How common are airbag complaints on the 2013 Audi A6?

NHTSA shows 18 airbag complaints out of 52 total complaints for the 2013 A6, making up 35% of all complaints filed for that model year.

What is the main airbag problem reported by owners?

Most complaints describe the front passenger seat's occupant detection sensor (PODS) failing to correctly detect a passenger, causing the airbag warning light to stay on or the airbag to be disabled.

At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up?

NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 66,000 miles at the time of the reported airbag failure for the 2013 Audi A6.

Were there any crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?

NHTSA records 2 crashes and 2 injuries among the 18 airbag complaints for the 2013 Audi A6, with no fires reported.

2013 Audi A6 Airbags Problems

NHTSA lists 18 airbag complaints for the 2013 Audi A6, 35% of its 52 total complaints for the year. Two recalls (18V370000 and 15V823000) cover the PODS passenger seat occupant detection system, and owners report the same failure pattern in complaints filed after those recalls.

Airbags complaints: 18; 35% of 52
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 2
Median mileage: 66,000 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

Passenger occupant detection system (PODS) sensor intermittently fails to detect a seated passenger, triggering a false airbag-off warning.
Airbag warning light stays illuminated or the passenger airbag/seat belt indicator beeps continuously while driving.
Some owners report the PODS sensor works for a heavier passenger but not a lighter one, suggesting a weight-calibration fault.
Several owners say dealers found the passenger seat needed replacement but did not repair the vehicle because parts were unavailable.
Some owners with vehicles built just outside the recall window report the same PODS failure but were told their VIN is not covered.
One early complaint describes a frontal crash where multiple airbags did not deploy, and a separate complaint describes an unintended acceleration crash where owners raised the same no-deployment concern.

When 2013 Audi A6 airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 12, 2013, latest Sep 28, 2025.

18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2013 to Sep 2025; peak Nov 2018 (3).

Airbags recalls for the 2013 Audi A6

NHTSA 18V370000Jun 4, 2018Airbags139,249 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
Risk: If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.
NHTSA 15V823000Dec 8, 2015Airbags21,074 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Audi A6 vehicles manufactured March 28, 2011, to March 25, 2013, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles manufactured January 25, 2011, to March 19, 2013. In vehicles with heated and cooled seats, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), used to enable the front passenger air bags, may malfunction and prevent the passenger-side air bags from deploying in a crash.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of occupant injury in a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D1.

Airbags complaints by A6 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201011 (65%)
201112 (57%)
201214 (24%)
201318 (35%)
20147 (17%)
20154 (18%)
20168 (16%)
20176 (30%)
20181 (9%)
20191 (1%)
20200 (0%)
20210 (0%)
20220 (0%)
20230 (0%)
20240 (0%)
20251 (17%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Audi A6 have an airbag recall?: Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls, 18V370000 and 15V823000, both covering the passenger seat PODS (occupant detection) system on 2013 Audi A6 vehicles.
How common are airbag complaints on the 2013 Audi A6?: NHTSA shows 18 airbag complaints out of 52 total complaints for the 2013 A6, making up 35% of all complaints filed for that model year.
What is the main airbag problem reported by owners?: Most complaints describe the front passenger seat's occupant detection sensor (PODS) failing to correctly detect a passenger, causing the airbag warning light to stay on or the airbag to be disabled.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up?: NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 66,000 miles at the time of the reported airbag failure for the 2013 Audi A6.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?: NHTSA records 2 crashes and 2 injuries among the 18 airbag complaints for the 2013 Audi A6, with no fires reported.