Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published March 22, 2021
Audi A3 (2020) Air Bag Recall: Risk of Injury in Crashes
Audi is recalling certain 2015-2020 A3 models due to passenger air bag deactivation risk during crashes. Owners receive free repairs to fix the PODS system.
“Audi A3 (2020) Air Bag Recall: Risk of Injury in Crashes.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/79196-audi-a3-2020-air-bag-recall-risk-of-injury-in. Based on NHTSA recall #21V198000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V198000).
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) recalled certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, RS3 Sedan, and A3 Cabriolet vehicles due to a deactivated passenger air bag risk, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on March 22, 2021. Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the control module free of charge.
How to tell if you have it
Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2020
Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2020
Audi A3 Etron, 2016-2018
Audi RS3 Sedan, 2017-2020
Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2015-2019
What to do
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.
The hazard
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
Context
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has 276 other recalls on record since 2014-10-20. Other recent recalls of similar products include Volkswagen Audi Q3 (2019) Steering Recall (2026-10-22), Volkswagen ID.4 Recall (2026-09-30), and 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Recall (2026-09-10). NHTSA has 93 owner complaints on file for the 2015 AUDI A3, with the latest received 2026-09-26. Other recent recalls of similar products include Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC (2026) Air Bag Recall (2026-03-27), BMW 2026 X5 Air Bag Recall (2025-12-04), and Mercedes-Benz Metris 2023 Air Bags (2026-06-02).
How to tell if you have this one
Check your vehicle's year and model: 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, Cabriolet, or Etron models. The recall covers specific years and trim levels as listed in the official notice.
Brand
Audi
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Audi Customer Service
Call 1-800-253-2834 to schedule a repair for the PODS sensor mat and control module update.
Get Free Repair Kit
Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module at no cost.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
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.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
Owners were mailed letters 9 months after NHTSA received the defect report.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Owner letters mailed
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Take action
Contact Audi
We’ve drafted a message you can send Audi to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 21V198000 — Audi A3 (2020) Air Bag Recall: Risk of Injury in Crashes
Hello,
I own a Audi A3 (2020) Air Bag Recall: Risk of Injury in Crashes that is covered by recall 21V198000 from Audi.
The official recall notice states: 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.
I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this?
Thank you.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.