This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may detect a malfunction and switch off the passenger airbag even though the seat may be occupied. Cars battery has been replaced yet battery problems still occur.
There is a recall on our daughters Audi A3 that we have been trying to have fixed for over 2 years. We call, we follow up and are consistently told there is no fix for the problem. The letters we continue to receive say it is about 4 hours of work on the PODS system. I am tired of our college daughter paying for a known unsafe vehicle and am reaching out as we have exhausted all possibilities with Audi USA.
The engine low oil light keeps coming on, the oil has been changed already, I-€™ve had the car for more than 7 months I haven-€™t even driven it over 5000 miles yet. Audi needs to fix this. The power train is also the same, some days it works okay and some days it doesn-€™t. The cars struggles sometimes to even reach speeds up to 50 mph.I-€™ve taken this vehicle to the Audi dealship as well as to a foreign certified mechanic shop. They can-€™t figure out the problem. The engine light should not be coming on randomly when I have fully serviced the vehicle. Audi please fix these problems.
The Auxiliary PTC Electric Cabin Heater fails and causes an overheat/fire condition. We own a 2015 Audi A3 TDI Premium Plus sedan. This vehicle has a diesel engine. Audi fitted A3 models that have a diesel engine with an auxiliary electric cabin air heater. This heater helps to warm the cabin and provide defrost capabilities on days when the temperature is below 7 degrees C. This heater in our vehicle failed due to melting at the wiring harness connection lugs. This melting caused an overheating condition to occur. On cold days we would notice a terrible burning plastic, rubber smell coming from the air vents inside the cabin. Once the car was warmed up and the electric heater was disabled by the cars ECU (computer) the smell gradually went away. The process was repeated the next day, but the smell was worse. We took the vehicle to Zimbrick European Audi in Madison, WI. They found the electrical issue with the Auxiliary Electric Cabin Air heater. In researching this issue we found there are MANY user reports of the same failure on Volkswagon Audi Group vehicles. Audi issued a safety recall for the SAME problem on Audi A4, A5 and Q5 vehicles under Audi Safety Recall Code : 80C5 with the NHTSA document number being: RCRIT-17V622-6265.pdf This very same problem currently affects my Audi A3 TDI. I have found numerous other people reporting the same issue with VW Golf TDI models, VW Passat TDI models and Jetta TDI models. Examples are located here: https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php"threads/burning-smell-from-heat.513304/ https://www.youtube.com/watch"v=_6tEwBzZIxs The problem is most likely the same materials defects that occurred with the Audi A4, A5 and Q5 models. The third party supplier of the Auxiliary Electric Cabin Air Heaters used TIN for some of the components. These substandard components lead to product failure and ultimately thermal overload, melting plastic/rubber and potentially a fire.
During cold ambient temperature when the engine is cold the vehicle activates an axillary cabin heater which fills the cabin with smoke and burning odor due to the heating element burning the housing and wiring inside the dash. This is a serious danger risking vehicle fire and health hazard for the operator and occupants of the vehicle. It appears multiple other Audi vehicles have a similar/same heating element that have the same issue. The 2015 A4 and Q5 appear to have a recall for this issue.
- Owego, NY, USA
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It has been nearly 9 months since this recall was issued. Audi cannot provide a remedy and cannot tell me when they can provide a remedy. I cannot transport a passenger in the front seat safely, and I cannot sell the car because Audi has issued a 'stop sell' order. Audi will not repurchase the car.
June 2018 paid out of pocket for passenger pods due to faulty sensor for passenger air bag. 10/2019 recall for wiring was done. October 29 2020, pods need replaced again! out of warranty! this is a huge safety concern and after viewing multiple other complaints of the same issue, a recall must be done! Audi needs to take responsibility and address their faulty issue which should he covered under recall. God forbid someone become seriously injured or lose their life due to Audi lack of response. I am now being told that I lust pay out of pocket once again to repair!
Car received pods recall fix coded 69Z4 in January 2020. The fix did not solve the annoying and life threatening malfunctionion that leads to Audi presense failure alert and deactivation of the passenger airbag system when a passenger is seated. It would also trigger the error when no passenger was seated, requiring to fasten the seatbelt to an empty seat to get rid of the seatbelt beeps. Car was taken in to Audi dealership October and after an inspection, the issue was found to be the sensor itself this time. The diagnosis report diligently ruled out any problem with the connector and wiring whose fault would mean a potential repair and the inspection would be at no cost to owner. However, like everyone else's complaints owner was presented with a 1,500 dollar quote for replacing the sensor + $250 fee for using their vagcom ("inspection"). the error code was B12251B (mat resistance too high). Audi's internal documents accessed through NHTSA report that "if fault, 'B12251B: Seat occupied recognition sensor mat resistance too high' is stored in the airbag control module, do not diagnose or replace any components for this fault before performing this repair. The 69Z4 topic is not the only cause of this fault. Any diagnosis related to this fault will not be covered under this campaign." Audi openly admits that the scope of the 69Z4 recall and the sensor issue are linked together by virtue of having similar behaviors for the car systems as well as fault codes. However Audi performs the cheaper bandaid out of pocket and expects the owner to pay for the faulty part which should have been part of the recall in the first place. This many complaints about the same behaviour and same part (that is traditionally not your usual wear&and&tear part like a battery) warrant an investigation of the malpractices of Audi in dealing with this recall and its customers.
My Audi A3 continually has a presence system fault when the car starts which indicates that the system is not functioning properly. As a result it turns off the passenger airbag even with the seat occupied which is a safety hazard. Audi has indicated that this is due to a faulty sensor. I have brought this issue to Audi.S attention for over four years with no resolution. This issue has continued despite a prior recall service on another connector with the pods system however immediately after that fix the isssue continued and Audi indicates it actually likes with a faulty sensor. This issue occurs randomly when the vehicle is started or while already driving, the error makes a loud noise and put an alert on the main dashboard which is unnerving and distracting while driving. I previously provided Audi pictures of the alert messages multiple times over several years with no resolution.
2015 Audi A3,18000 miles, O2 sensor bankj 1(after the engine) was change bank 2 close to the exhaust not change but keep going back the check engine light, need help.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was a false warning from the air bag system that deactivated the passenger's side air bag. The vehicle was taken to rusnak/pasadena Audi (267 w Colorado blvd, pasadena, ca 91105, (626) 714-3159). The contact had not yet authorized the repairs for the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but had not yet responded to the vehicle owner. The failure mileage was 88,000.
My 2015 Audi A3 has only 11,200 miles on it. The passenger bag safety light goes on and off intermittently, and has done for some time. The problem occurs mostly when someone is sitting in the seat, but occasionally it will occur when the passenger seat is unoccupied. The yellow dash light comes on near the passenger and the airbag light on the instrument panel illuminates. The information panel on the dash will simultaneously report "safety system: System fault! see owner's manual" and "passenger airbag off" and "Audi pre sense: System fault!". this fault occurred approximately 8-10 times during a 1,000 mile trip my wife and I took during memorial day weekend in 2020. I had my wife try adjusting the angle of the seat, raising the front portion higher to try to apply more body weight to the seat. My thinking was that it was a sensor issue. The system is designed to shut off if a passenger does not weigh enough for the airbag to safely deploy. The system fault acts like it detects some weight there, but not enough to engage the airbag safely. My best guess is that the weight sensor is not registering the weight correctly or maintaining a consistent reading that would keep the airbag engaged over time. The picture attached to this report were taken on May 25, 2020 during our trip, but this happens on a regular basis. After getting online to google for answers, I can see that many others are describing the same problem I am experiencing. I see that the 2015 model may have been left out of a recall to fix this issue and I would like to add my input to all others that this is a significant safety issue and should be reconsidered for model year 2015 Audi A3 sedans (and possibly other Audi models).
For the last 4 days I have had someone get into my passenger seat and randomly while I'm driving and the car is in motion the airbag signal states ' passenger airbag off' it flashes to notify me it has turned of. I completed research and found their is a recall on Audi vehicles for this complaint but only 2016 and a few other years. I believe this recall needs to be extended to 2015 as well.
Audi recall campaign 69Z4 was supposed to fix the passenger occupant detection system malfunction by replacing a connector and harness. This has not fixed the issues. Many Audi customers saying the seat belt alarm and warning light still come on. Mine will not shut off until I plug the seat belt back in, but then my airbags turn on and off randomly even if there is an occupant in the passenger seat. This was the cheap fix. Audi acknowledges the issue with the actual pods sensor but makes customers pay $1,200 for the safety fix. This should have been part of the recall. Audi blames mine on the damage to the rear of the car, but the photos pre-date the damage to the rear bumper.
Audi recently had a recall (#69Z4) to address an issue with their pods sensor system. Audi claimed the fix as a revised wiring connection and cable routing. My A3 experienced the exact symptoms and issues the recall covered. I took it in for repair however immediacy after picking up the car the issue still persists. Dealer says it is actually an issue with the pods sensor itself but that they will not repair this under warranty. I called Audi usa who claims the same. It appears their fix is not robust enough to fix the actual problem but they will not correct it further. As it stands now my car still will not allow the airbag to work properly while a passenger is there or not. Airbag warning goes off constantly and "air bag off" light is illuminated nearly all the time but will intermittently go on and off at random times.
The contact called on behalf of her husband who owns a 2015 Audi A3. The vehicle was purchased in March of 2019. While the contact's husband was attempting to park the vehicle, he depressed the brake pedal and attempted to reverse the vehicle closer to the curb. When the driver shifted into drive and released the brake pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated and the steering wheel seized. It took the driver excessive strength to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle continued to accelerate on its own and came to a stop when it crashed into the neighbor's parked and unoccupied vehicle. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that the driver was in shock. The day before the crash, the radio stations independently mixed up on their own and there was a lot of static. An unknown dealer was called and notified of the failure. The contact planned to take the vehicle to a dealer the following day. An appointment was scheduled with the manufacturer to have someone inspect the vehicle. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not towed and was able to be driven. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.
"pods recall" we took our car in for inspection and we were told that the electrical system to the air bag needs to be beefed up because without the right wiring connection it will cause serious problem if accident occurs. This hasn't hit the recall list yet but it's coming. If the manufacturer knows that it's going to be an issue why cant they just go ahead and fix the recall before hand. They are wanting us to pay $1100 dollars to fix an issue that is soon to be an up and coming recall, based on what I have been reading from the manufacturer itself. What does it take for this recall to go into the works, many deaths or even a lawsuit because they didn't want to fix problem before hand. I know many of these money companies are trying to save a dollar but is it worth the cost of a loved one just to save a buck. We are all trying to save a buck I get it, but this is the companies reputation on the line. You make a product you should want people to feel and be safe. If consumers know you put out a good product and your continuously are trying to improve your product people will stand by you. It shouldnt get to the point of people losing a life or getting seriously injured to fix a issue you could avoid.
While driving conti pro contact tires 225/40R/18 92hxl while driving 65 mph the front driver side thread seperated causing the tire to blow out. Losing control and almost crashing the vehicle. I was left strained until tow truck arrived at the scence.
While the radiator was being replaced due to cracks and leaking at 57,000 miles, my mechanic noticed the water pump assembly was melting. The top of the assembly was melting away and could cause a fire hazard. I contacted the dealer (mission viejo Audi) who stated there was no recall on the vehicle and since it was out of warranty, I was responsible for the issue. I showed the service technician the photos, and he indicated they could look at it but it would cost me a diagnostic fee of $160. It is evident the water pump needs to be replaced so not sure what needs to be diagnosed. Since there were no reported issues, he said I would ultimately be held responsible for repairs and replacement. I later talked to Audi corporate and was basically told the same thing and I would have to get it fixed. They did indicate there may be some 'minimal good will' fee adjustment based on the diagnosis from the dealer. They told me there have been no reported problems of this nature. A claim was filed with them. Since the diagnosis fee and cost of replacement from the dealer is significantly more than my mechanic charges, I may have to have him do the work as this appears to be a safety hazard to me. The dealer was not interested in addressing any potential safety problems. I am contacting you to see if there have been any complaints of this nature received and to document what I am experiencing in case other similar issues arise in the future. Photos are attached for reference and any assistance is appreciated. Thank you
Check engine/ epc- both lights have signaled a dozen times. The first few times the dealership called them "misfires". eventually the car "symptoms" started to progress: When car is idling, car starts to act like it is about to stall. Then it progressed to hard/jerky shifts into 1st or 2nd gear. Now even at higher speeds it starts acting up- giving the feeling that the car may stall. This is a daily issue. Twice now car has failed to accelerate while entering highway. The worst situation occurred when car was bucking and refusing to go into 2nd gear. I had to pull over, on the on-ramp, turn off car and restart. Dash lights fade light/dark constantly. Originally I thought it was an automatic feature, going from day to night time lights. Like everything else it has increased w/ frequency & cannot be connected to change day/night light setting change. Key fob died while I was driving on highway, car stalled on highway. I restarted car using emergency procedure (aligning key fob next to key symbol on drive shaft)- this is meant to keep car running even w/ dead key battery. Car shut off multiple times waiting for tow truck- who then loaded my car while running because it stalled on him too. Did I mention the 4 days prior my car had been at the dealership - so either warning sign didn't correctly notify or they just ignored it. Fixed ignition coil, spark plugs current dealership diagnostic: Fault to bad injector somehow none of the recalls that apply to 2015 A3S apply to my vehicle. Even though most of the decriptions apply to car issues.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fresno , CA, USA