Recall 15V824 covers 904 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet vehicles with seatback covers stitched incorrectly, preventing proper side air bag deployment. Free repair at Audi dealers.
Audi is recalling 904 2015 A3 Cabriolet vehicles because incorrect stitching on a driver or front passenger seat cover can stop the side air bag from deploying properly in a crash. That air bag problem increases injury risk, and the Audi dealer repair will be free once Audi makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The driver and front passenger seat covers on the 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet sit over the side air bags built into the seats. In a crash, the air bag needs the seat-cover seam to split in the right place so the bag can deploy toward the occupant. The stitching has to hold the cover together during normal use, then release as designed during deployment.
On affected vehicles, the seat cover was stitched incorrectly after supplier production changes that Audi had not approved. That stitching can keep the cover from opening the right way during a crash. If the cover does not release, the driver or front passenger side air bag does not deploy properly. Replacement seat covers use stitching that meets the correct production specification.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat can look normal, and there is no owner-visible symptom that confirms whether the stitching is correct.
Who's affected?
The same A3 Cabriolet group appears under two component areas: the seat assembly and the side air bag.
| 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet | side air bag |
| Units affected | 904 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
Improper side air bag deployment raises the risk of injury in a crash. There is no warning sign before the air bag deploys incorrectly, so confirm whether your 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet is included and plan the dealer repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Audi dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet is included in this recall.
- Contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 to confirm the current remedy path for your VIN.
- Ask a franchised Audi dealer whether the free seatback-cover replacement for recall number 15V824 is open for your vehicle.
- Bring the owner notice if Audi mailed one, and ask the dealer to correct the seat-cover stitching so the side air bag can deploy properly.
What happens at the repair
Audi's final dealer repair is still listed as under development, so do not assume the seatback cover replacement can be scheduled until Audi opens the remedy. Once available, an Audi technician will replace the driver's seatback cover, the front passenger seatback cover, or both, depending on the affected seat. The recall repair will be free, including covered parts and labor.
Timeline
| December 8, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 29, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V824?
Recall 15V824 covers 904 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet vehicles with driver or front passenger seatback covers that were stitched incorrectly. In a crash, the side air bag can fail to deploy properly, increasing injury risk. Audi dealers replace the affected seatback cover for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Audi A3 Cabriolet is included in recall 15V824. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer and ask for recall 74C9. The dealer will replace the driver's and/or front passenger's seatback cover at no charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 15V824, a franchised Audi dealer replaces the affected driver's and/or front passenger's seatback cover free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is improper side air bag deployment in a crash. If the seatback cover stitching blocks the side air bag, the air bag can fail to protect the driver or front passenger as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
When were Audi A3 Cabriolet owners notified?
Audi mailed interim notices on February 4, 2016, and the recall began on February 29, 2016. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN and reference recall 15V824 or Audi recall 74C9 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V824000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V824 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V824000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →