2017 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
What could happen: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2017 A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V474000 (manufacturer code 69Z4).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2017 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (13), Engine (5), Fuel system (3), Transmission / drivetrain (3), Gasoline (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/12/2024 · Fuel system
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…
01/13/2023 · Transmission / drivetrain
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…
10/14/2022 · Airbags
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 no…
09/23/2022 · Airbags
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…
08/15/2022 · Airbags
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…
07/25/2022 · Airbags
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 f…
07/07/2022 · Fuel system
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…
05/03/2022 · Airbags
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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…