2017 Audi A3 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 36%of 44 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the air bags of the 2017 Audi A3, 36% of the 44 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The seat sensor on the passenger side is faulty, causing the air bag light to staty on while operating the vehicle - the pre-sense light to stay on - and the un-buckled seat belt alarm to stay going off. All while operating the vehicle. The brand dealership said airbag maynot deploy while seat sensor is malfuctioning. $1200 repair.”
NHTSA complaint #11342416, filed 2020-07, 54,000 miles“Regardless of front seat passenger presence: 'passenger airbag off', 'seatbelt off', and 'pre sense off' warning messages illuminate at car start, restart, drive, park, restart, repeat. Unable to clear warnings. Also appears in vehicle dash warning system. Started noticing intermittently after airbag recall addressed, not sure if exact date. Now, the malfunction is constant.”
NHTSA complaint #11365758, filed 2020-10, 50,000 miles“Passenger air bag off light will illuminate while passenger is seated. Numerous error codes will flash on dash. Car on highway, in motion.after a few minutes, light will turn off and error codes disappear.”
NHTSA complaint #11354557, filed 2020-09, 45,000 miles“The vehicle was affected previously and confirmed fixed by Audi under recall 69z4 for the occupant sensor. The airbag, seatbelt, Audi presense error light will illuminate at times regardless of whether an occupant is sitting in the passenger seat going on and off sporadically while driving or stationary. The vehicle is eligible to be fixed under warranty, however it appears their original fix under the recall was not adequate in resolving the occupant airbag sensor light and poses a safety hazard to passengers if the airbag were to turn off while an accident occurred. …”
NHTSA complaint #11389918, filed 2021-01, 25,668 miles“The front-passenger airbag deactivated while my father was riding in the car and the corresponding warning light came on. The error first occurred prior to the Mar 2021 Recall. I notified Audi multiple times that my vehicle had this problem, but Audi has not repaired it or offered me an alternative option.”
NHTSA complaint #11440855, filed 2021-11Related recalls
- 21V198000Mar 22, 2021Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3…Covers: Audi A3 2015–2020, S3 2015–2020, RS 3 2017–2020 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11030980Mar 2, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning regarding counterfeit replacement airbag inflators that are being installed in used…
- 11003002Jun 26, 2024This bulletin provides information when the airbag warning light is on, DTC B13BCF2 stored in the airbag control module.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 33% |
| 2020 | 9 | 56% |
| 2019 | 3 | 30% |
| 2018 | 17 | 52% |
| 2017 | 16 | 36% |
| 2016 | 37 | 45% |
| 2015 | 45 | 48% |
| 2013 | 10 | 50% |
| 2012 | 31 | 72% |
| 2011 | 20 | 47% |
| 2010 | 13 | 26% |
| 2009 | 22 | 47% |
| 2008 | 24 | 56% |
| 2007 | 32 | 62% |
| 2006 | 56 | 46% |
Other parts of the 2017 Audi A3
15 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Audi A3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology