Recall 19V095 affects 3,326 2018 Audi RS 3 and A3 Cabriolet vehicles for missing rear head restraint pins. Repair is free at franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 3,326 2018 RS 3 and A3 Cabriolet vehicles because the latching pins for the center rear seat head restraint were missing from some vehicles. In a crash, the head restraint can detach and injure occupants, and Audi dealers will inspect and install the pins free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The center rear seat head restraint in the 2018 Audi RS 3 and A3 Cabriolet is the padded support above the rear seatback. Its job is to stay locked in place on its posts so it can support the occupant's head and neck when the seat is occupied. The latching pins are the small locking pieces that keep that head restraint from moving or coming loose.
On the affected vehicles, those latching pins are missing from some center rear head restraints. Audi traced the problem to a supplier production error after an added production line, where improperly made head restraints were mixed with properly made ones during quality checks. A head restraint without the pins does not have the same locked connection to the seatback as the corrected part.
There is no warning sign before failure. The head restraint can look normal even if the locking pins are missing, so the VIN and dealer inspection decide whether the vehicle is included.
Who's affected?
Covers the RS 3 and A3 Cabriolet, with the same rear seat assembly component listed for both models.
| 2018 Audi RS 3 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 3,326 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, a head restraint that is missing its retaining pins can detach and injure occupants. Because this risk shows up during a crash, confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the inspection soon. Audi dealers inspect the head restraints and replace any units with missing pins. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Audi RS 3 or A3 Cabriolet is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Audi dealer to schedule the rear seat head restraint inspection and free replacement for any head restraint missing its latching pins.
- Bring the recall notice if Audi mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V095 when you call.
- Avoid using the center rear seat until the dealer confirms the head restraint has its latching pins or replaces it.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician inspects the center rear seat head restraints for missing latching pins. If pins are missing, the technician replaces the affected head restraint so it locks in place as designed. The inspection and any replacement parts are free under the recall. Audi states that it will not offer reimbursement under this campaign, so prior out-of-pocket repairs are not handled through a separate recall reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| February 13, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 7, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 12, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| April 12, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 12, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V095?
Recall 19V095 covers 3,326 2018 Audi RS 3 and A3 Cabriolet vehicles with center rear seat head restraints that were built without required latching pins. In a crash, the head restraint can detach and injure occupants. Audi dealers inspect the head restraints and replace affected parts for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Audi RS 3 or A3 Cabriolet is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Audi is included in recall 19V095. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer and ask for the head restraint inspection under Audi recall 72I8. The dealer replaces any head restraint missing latching pins for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Audi's remedy says dealers will inspect the head restraints and replace any that are missing latching pins free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is occupant injury in a crash. The center rear seat head restraint depends on latching pins to stay attached. If those pins are missing, the head restraint can detach during a crash instead of staying in place to help protect the passenger.
What if I bought my Audi used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2018 Audi RS 3 or A3 Cabriolet is included, then reference recall 19V095 or Audi recall 72I8 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V095000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V095 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V095000 |
Source documents
-
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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →