Airbag defects are extremely serious – and can be the difference between life and death in a crash. According to Consumer Reports, last year, we saw an Audi recall get issued due to problems with airbags in several of the top-selling models from 2015-to 2020. These issues stem from a faulty PODS (passenger occupant detection system). This malfunction may cause the system to turn off when a passenger is in the front seat.
The Audi A3 recall has been making headlines over the past couple of years. Consumers who own or lease an affected Audi model cannot take any chances with defective airbags – as this puts passengers in serious danger. For newer models that may be impacted, it’s worth speaking to an Audi lemon law expert to understand the risk.
Without further ado, here are four models flagged by the recent Audi recall.
1. Audi S3 & A3 Sedan 2015-2020
2. Audi RS3 Sedan 2017-2020
3. Audi A3 E-Tron 2016-2018
4. Audi A3 Cabriolet 2015-2019
More than 150K Audi models were recalled due to issues with the passenger-side airbags. There is evidence that the airbag shuts itself off when a person is sitting in the passenger seat.
Volkswagen, the parent company of Audi, issued a recall announcement due to this problem with the PODS shutting off erroneously. There was an Audi A3 airbag recall for the 2013-2019 models for the same problem. At this time, Audi has installed a newer PODS connector to improve cable routing.
We saw more complaints come in in 2020 after the fix. According to the NHTSA, through an open letter by Volkswagen Group of America, Audi has been unable to find the root cause of the problem, and believes there additional issue with the PODs system beyond the issue addressed in the first Audi A3 airbag recall.
What is the Fix for this Audi Car Recall?
As of this writing, Volkswagen is still working on a fix for this Audi car recall. If you are an owner of one of the affected models, you can call the customer service line for updates and more information. That number is 800-253-2834. The campaign for this Audi recall is 21V198000 via the NHTSA, an expansion of NHTSA 19V474.
This Audi recall number is 69BY.
What Are Your Options if You Have a Defective Audi?
Whether you’ve been impacted by the Audi airbag recall or not, it’s important to understand that you have rights. If your vehicle is showing signs of shoddy manufacturing, you may be covered under Audi lemon law. To be eligible for benefits in the state of California, your vehicle must meet the following qualifications:
- The Audi was covered under the manufacturer or dealer warranty when the defect was reported; and
- The defect is substantial in that it impairs the safety, functionality, or value of the vehicle; and
- The manufacturer has been given a reasonable number of repair attempts to remedy the defect, usually at least two; or
- The Audi has been out of service for repairs for 30 or more days; and
- The defect was not a result of driver abuse or neglect.
If your vehicle is part of the Audi car recall – or if it’s showing any signs of faultiness, get in touch with the manufacturer as soon as possible. The longer you drive around with a factory defect, the more risk you pose to yourself, passengers, and other drivers. In the case of the Audi A3 airbag recall, your passengers are the most at risk.
Once you get in contact with the manufacturer, they will instruct you to the nearest certified repair facility. If the vehicle meets the qualifications of California lemon law, get in touch with a lemon law lawyer immediately.
Contact an Audi Lemon Law Attorney
If you’ve been impacted by the Audi A3 recall, knowing what to do is not always clear. Keep in mind, that manufacturers have no intention of compensating consumers for their own mistakes. They have no problem giving you bogus information to minimize their liability.
It doesn’t matter if you’re experiencing the Audi A3 airbag recall or any other manufacturer defect, the smartest move you can make is to contact a lemon law lawyer. Even if you don’t have a valid lemon claim, most are happy to point you in the right direction. The last thing you want to do is lose thousands of dollars for a mistake that wasn’t your fault.
The lemon law attorney you speak to is the only party truly on your side when you have a faulty vehicle. If you’ve got any questions about the Audi A3 recall or anything else related to lemon law, get in touch with a California lemon lawyer by contacting Cline APC. Call 888-982-6915, send an email to info@clineapc.com or fill out a free case evaluation.
