Recall 21V198 covers 153,152 2015-2020 Audi A3, S3, RS 3, and A3 Sportback E-Tron vehicles for passenger air-bag deactivation. Free dealer repair.
Audi is recalling 153,152 2015-2020 A3, S3, RS 3, and A3 Sportback E-Tron vehicles because the passenger occupant detection system can malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag when the seat is occupied. A deactivated passenger air bag increases injury risk in a crash, and Audi dealers will repair the system free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger occupant detection system is the sensor system in the front passenger seat that tells the air bag control unit whether someone is sitting there. In affected 2015-2020 Audi A3, S3, RS 3, and A3 Sportback E-Tron vehicles, that signal helps decide whether the passenger air bag stays active. The system is supposed to recognize an occupied seat and keep the air bag ready for a crash.
The problem is that the system can malfunction and switch the passenger air bag off even when the seat is occupied. Audi's investigation into the root cause is still open, so the exact failed part in the seat detection hardware has not been finalized. The defect is tied to the passenger seat occupant detection repair kit area, not to driver air bag operation.
The warning sign is the passenger airbag indicator showing "passenger airbag off" while someone is sitting in the front passenger seat. The message can appear sporadically and for a limited time. When the message disappears, the passenger air bag works again without customer action.
Who's affected?
Covers 4 Audi compact-car lines across 2015-2020, all tied to the passenger-seat occupant detection repair kit.
| 2018 Audi A3 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2018 Audi A3 | air bag system |
| 2017 Audi A3 | front air bag |
| 2017 Audi A3 | air bag system |
| 2016 Audi A3 | front air bag |
| 2016 Audi A3 | air bag system |
| 2018 Audi S3 | front air bag |
| 2018 Audi S3 | air bag system |
| 2017 Audi S3 | front air bag |
| 2017 Audi S3 | air bag system |
| 2020 Audi RS 3 | front air bag |
| 2020 Audi RS 3 | air bag system |
| 2020 Audi A3 | front air bag |
| 2020 Audi A3 | air bag system |
| 2019 Audi A3 | front air bag |
| 2016 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron | front air bag |
| 2016 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron | air bag system |
| 2019 Audi S3 | front air bag |
| 2019 Audi S3 | air bag system |
| 2017 Audi RS 3 | front air bag |
| 2017 Audi RS 3 | air bag system |
| 2019 Audi RS 3 | front air bag |
| 2019 Audi RS 3 | air bag system |
| 2015 Audi S3 | front air bag |
| 2015 Audi S3 | air bag system |
| 2018 Audi RS 3 | front air bag |
| 2018 Audi RS 3 | air bag system |
| 2016 Audi S3 | front air bag |
| 2016 Audi S3 | air bag system |
| 2015 Audi A3 | front air bag |
| 2015 Audi A3 | air bag system |
| 2018 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron | front air bag |
| 2018 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron | air bag system |
| 2017 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron | front air bag |
| 2017 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron | air bag system |
| 2020 Audi S3 | front air bag |
| 2020 Audi S3 | air bag system |
| 2019 Audi A3 | air bag system |
| Units affected | 153,152 |
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?
A deactivated passenger air bag increases injury risk for the front passenger during a crash. If the indicator says "passenger airbag off," keep passengers out of that seat and schedule the recall repair soon. The dealer replaces the PODS sensor mat and updates the control module. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2020 Audi A3, S3, RS 3, or A3 Sportback E-Tron is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free PODS sensor mat replacement and PODS control module update that fixes the passenger air bag shutoff risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Audi mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V198 and Audi recall 69BY when you call.
- Avoid using the front passenger seat until the PODS repair is complete.
- Call Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 with questions about the repair or scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician replaces the PODS sensor mat in the passenger seat and updates the PODS control module so the passenger occupant detection system reads the seat correctly. The recall covers parts and labor, so the dealer repair is free. Audi is not offering reimbursement for this campaign, so prior out of pocket repairs are not covered through a separate recall reimbursement plan. Give the service desk Audi recall number 69BY when scheduling.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| March 22, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 16, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| December 16, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 23, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 23, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 23, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V198?
Recall 21V198 covers 153,152 2015-2020 Audi A3, S3, RS 3, and A3 Sportback E-Tron vehicles with a passenger occupant detection system defect. The system can switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied. Audi dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the control module for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2020 Audi A3, S3, RS 3, or A3 Sportback E-Tron is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Audi is included in recall 21V198. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the PODS sensor mat replacement and control module update. Reference recall number 21V198 or Audi recall number 69BY when you call.
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 replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module free of charge at any franchised Audi dealer.
What is the safety risk in this Audi air bag recall?
The passenger air bag can be deactivated while someone is sitting in the front passenger seat. If a crash happens, a deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Audi used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received Audi's owner letter, check your VIN and call a franchised Audi dealer with recall number 21V198 or Audi recall number 69BY.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V198000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V198 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V198000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →