Is This A Lemon?

NHTSA recall campaign

21V198000

ManufacturerVolkswagen Group of America, Inc.Reported2021-03-22Affected153,152 vehicles

What was wrong

Defect

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.

Manufacturer 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.

To check whether your specific VIN is covered and to find a participating dealer, look this campaign up on NHTSA.gov →

Affected vehicles

38 entries