Newest first. Many cover only part of a model year, so check your VIN with Audi before booking a repair.
Transport Canada · listed for this model year
Issue: On certain vehicles, the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may not work properly. This could cause the airbag system to turn off the passenger-front airbag even when a person is seated in the front passenger seat. Note: This problem would cause an error message to display on the instrument panel and a warning chime to sound. The airbag indicator light would also display "passenger airbag off". Safety Risk: An airbag that is turned off when it should be turned on could increase the risk of injury to a passenger in a crash. Corrective Actions: Audi will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development. To reduce the safety risk, Audi recommends that if the PODS in your vehicle is not working properly, you should contact an Audi dealer for assistance right away and not transport a person in the front-passenger seat until the PODS has been repaired.
2021169 · 18,204 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
United States records (NHTSA) · 1
These are NHTSA campaigns for 2018 Audi S3 vehicles sold in the United States. They are not Canadian recalls: NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data, and a US campaign may have no Canadian counterpart, or one under a different number covering different vehicles. For a vehicle sold in Canada, go by the Transport Canada listing above and Audi's Canadian VIN lookup.
Volkswagen 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 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
21V198000 · 153,152 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
2018 Audi S3 recall questions
Transport Canada lists 1 recall for the 2018 Audi S3 model year. That counts campaigns naming this model year, not recalls on your vehicle: many cover only a VIN range or production window, and some only vehicles found on inspection. NHTSA lists 1 United States campaign for the US-market model, shown separately; a US campaign may have no Canadian equivalent.
Enter your VIN in Audi's Canadian recall lookup, or call a Audi dealer with your VIN. In Canada the manufacturer is responsible for showing recall and repair status for each VIN, so its lookup is the authoritative answer. Cardog uses your VIN only to find the model year; the recalls shown here are listed for that model year and are not matched to your VIN.
Not necessarily. NHTSA campaigns cover vehicles sold in the United States, and NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data. When a defect also affects Canadian vehicles, the manufacturer files a separate notice with Transport Canada, often under a different number and sometimes covering a different set of vehicles. For a Canadian vehicle, go by the Transport Canada listing and Audi's Canadian lookup.
Safety recall repairs are normally done at no charge by an authorised Audi dealer. The manufacturer's notice for each campaign sets out the remedy and any conditions, so confirm with the dealer when you book.
Once Audi's lookup or a dealer confirms a recall applies, book the repair with an authorised Audi dealer and bring your VIN. If the manufacturer's notice says not to drive the vehicle or to park it outside, follow that instruction. Parts can take time, so book early.
Follow the manufacturer's notice for that recall. Most allow normal driving until the repair; some tell owners to stop driving or to park outside until it is fixed. Cardog does not grade recalls by severity: the manufacturer's notice and your dealer are the source.
Manufacturers must notify owners they have on record. If you bought the vehicle used or have moved, update your details with Audi Canada so notices reach you, and check the manufacturer's lookup from time to time.
Related recall checks
Compare recall listings with alternatives to the 2018 Audi S3.