2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet

The defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.

The risk

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

The remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 138,896 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet and A3 Sedan vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may misinterpret the flywheel rotation on engine start-up as a "knocking" condition, and the adjusted air/fuel mixture may result in an engine stall.

The risk

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24DF.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 8,383 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

The risk

If the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.

The remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q3.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 11,618 vehicles across all model years covered

Closed recall query · opened December 12, 2023 · closed July 1, 2024 · led to recall 24V110

the gasoline fuel system

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

towed · 57,000 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated that while placing the gear shifter into PARK, the vehicle would reverse. The "Put Vehicle In Park Immediately" warning message was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive it to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer-scheduled for the vehicle to be towed to an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

NHTSA complaint 11440657. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 42,800 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, fuel was spilling from the fuel filler neck. The contact drove back to her residence and placed the vehicle in park(P) and noticed the odor of gasoline entering the cabin. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact exited and checked the gas cap and noticed that fuel was pouring from under the passenger’s side rear tire. The contact had the vehicle towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,800. The consumer …

NHTSA complaint 11472767, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint 11582595. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

90,000 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to make abnormal sounds and inadvertently downshifted. In addition, the reduced power warning light, check engine warning light, and the ESP warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA complaint 11501640. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

66,000 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The contact then stated that the passenger restraint disabled message appeared on the instrument panel making a continuous loud sound. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was …

NHTSA complaint 11489321, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag off warning light was illuminated with a passenger seated in the passenger’s side seat. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint 11486118. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

55,000 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated and the message "Air Bag Malfunction. Please Seek Audi Dealer" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). However, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the failure was associated with the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repair. …

NHTSA complaint 11479441, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint 11475717. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.