Malfunctioning passenger occupant detection system prompts Audi recall

Audi is recalling 153,152 model year 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedans & A3 Sedans, model year 2016-2018 A3 Etrons, model year 2017-2020 RS3 Sedans, and model year 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolets.

The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger airbag even when the seat is occupied.

A deactivated passenger airbag increases the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

The remedy program is still in development.

Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed May 21, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available.

This is an expansion of an earlier recall. Vehicles included in that recall must return for a new remedy

Owners may contact Audi customer service at (800) 253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.