2018 Audi A3 air bags problems
17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 2018 Audi A3 — 52% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Audi had a recall on my 2018 A3 for a Passenger Occupant Detection System. in July 2023, Audi replaced the PODS Sensor mat. Recently, the same car has encountered the same issue. The PODS light indicates the airbag is off even if a passenger is sitting in the seat. There has been not repair work…”
filed Jun 23, 2025
“My Audi a3 got the recall for PODS done 5/2022 which the sensors and air bag in the passenger side weren’t working and I got the same lights come up 2 weeks ago. My Dealership says since this was a recalled item and is a massive safety concern and should be covered by AUDI USA. Instead they want to…”
filed Dec 21, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger…Campaign 21V198000 · Mar 22, 2021
Air Bags problems in other A3 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 A3 | 16 | 36% |
| 2016 A3 | 36 | 44% |
| 2015 A3 | 45 | 51% |
| 2013 A3 | 10 | 50% |
| 2012 A3 | 31 | 72% |
| 2011 A3 | 20 | 47% |
| 2010 A3 | 13 | 26% |
| 2009 A3 | 22 | 47% |
| 2008 A3 | 24 | 56% |
| 2007 A3 | 32 | 62% |
| 2006 A3 | 56 | 46% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 Audi A3
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.