How common are airbag complaints on the 2015 Audi S3?

Airbags make up 29 of the 53 total complaints filed for the 2015 Audi S3, or 55% of all complaints for that model year, the highest airbag share among all S3 model years listed.

Is there a recall for the 2015 Audi S3 airbag problem?

Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls: campaign 19V474000 (2019), covering a faulty electrical connector affecting the passenger occupant detection system, and campaign 21V198000 (2021), covering replacement of the PODS sensor mat and control module update.

Do the recall repairs fix the airbag issue?

Not always according to owner complaints. Multiple owners report the passenger airbag warning light and sensor errors returned after the recall repair was performed.

At what mileage do airbag problems typically appear on the 2015 Audi S3?

NHTSA data lists a median mileage of 52,000 miles at the time of failure for airbag-related complaints on the 2015 Audi S3.

Were there any crashes or injuries linked to this airbag issue?

NHTSA complaint data for this airbag issue on the 2015 Audi S3 lists 1 crash and 2 injuries, with no fires reported.

2015 Audi S3 Airbags Problems

Airbags account for 29 of 53 total complaints (55%) filed on the 2015 Audi S3, the highest share of any model year. Two related recalls address the passenger occupant detection system, with a median failure mileage of 52,000 miles.

Airbags complaints: 29; 55% of 53
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 2
Median mileage: 52,000 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

Passenger occupant detection system (PODS) falsely reports the seat empty or occupied, turning the passenger airbag off even with someone seated.
Airbag warning light and seatbelt chime activate intermittently while driving or when the car is started, regardless of whether the passenger seat is occupied.
Some owners report the airbag light triggers from objects placed on the passenger seat, such as a tablet or bag of food.
Owners report the problem returning after dealers performed the recall repair (replacing the connector or PODS sensor mat), with the airbag warning recurring within months.
Dealers reportedly told some owners the sensor mat issue is wear and tear not covered by the recall, quoting a fix outside the free recall remedy.

When 2015 Audi S3 airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 7, 2018, latest Jul 30, 2024.

29 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2018 to Jul 2024; peak Aug 2020 (2).

Airbags recalls for the 2015 Audi S3

NHTSA 21V198000Mar 22, 2021Airbags153,152 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
NHTSA 19V474000Jun 19, 2019Airbags138,896 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
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.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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.

Airbags complaints by S3 model year

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

201529 (55%)
201611 (79%)
20175 (56%)
20181 (20%)
20192 (100%)
20200 (0%)
20210 (0%)
20221 (50%)
20230 (0%)
20240 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are airbag complaints on the 2015 Audi S3?: Airbags make up 29 of the 53 total complaints filed for the 2015 Audi S3, or 55% of all complaints for that model year, the highest airbag share among all S3 model years listed.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Audi S3 airbag problem?: Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls: campaign 19V474000 (2019), covering a faulty electrical connector affecting the passenger occupant detection system, and campaign 21V198000 (2021), covering replacement of the PODS sensor mat and control module update.
Do the recall repairs fix the airbag issue?: Not always according to owner complaints. Multiple owners report the passenger airbag warning light and sensor errors returned after the recall repair was performed.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically appear on the 2015 Audi S3?: NHTSA data lists a median mileage of 52,000 miles at the time of failure for airbag-related complaints on the 2015 Audi S3.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to this airbag issue?: NHTSA complaint data for this airbag issue on the 2015 Audi S3 lists 1 crash and 2 injuries, with no fires reported.