2017 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron

Defect. 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.

Risk. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy. 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.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

RIGHT FRONT TIRE FLATTENED TWICE IN 6 MONTHS, FROM SLOW DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD. IN THE PRIOR 7 YEARS WITH ANOTHER CAR, THIS NEVER HAPPENED. DEALER DENIES ANY PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE GARAGE FOR 6 MONTHS; I CANNOT RISK BEING STRANDED ON A REMOTE ROAD, AT NIGHT, WITH NO CELL SERVICE AGAIN.

WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT A DANGEROUS DEFICIENCY IN THE PORTABLE EVSE/CHARGER FOR OUR A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON. IT GETS VERY HOT DURING STANDARD 12- VOLT CHARGING AND IT MIGHT CAUSE A FIRE. I DISCOVERED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THAT ITS OPERATING RANGE HAS A MAXIMUM OF 95 DEGREES F. OUR AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE IN THE CALIFORNIA CENTRAL VALLEY IS REGULARLY ABOVE 95F. IT IS ALSO REGULARLY EXCEEDED IN MANY OTHER US STATES, PLUS THE MIDDLE EAST WHERE AUDI SELLS MANY OF THEIR E-TRONS. OUR PERMANENT EVSE IN OUR GARAGE IS A HIGHER AMPERAGE RATED EVSE AND IT DOES NOT HAVE THIS LIMITATION. HERE IS AUDI'S REPLY TO MY REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON THIS DEFICIENCY IN THEIR PORTABLE EVSE: "IT APPEARS THE CREATORS OF THE EVSE CHARGER ARE CONSIDERED A TRADE SECRET AND WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS THAT YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. THE PORTABLE CHARGER OPERATING TEMPERATURE IS ONLY UP TO 95, AS IT HAS NO VENTING OR COOLING UNLIKE LARGER UNITS. DUE TO THE FACT THAT WEATHER TEMPERATURES OFTEN EXCEEDS THE LIMIT IN CALIFORNIA, YOU ARE WELCOMED TO PURCHASE A DIFFERENT CHARGING SOLUTION THAT CAN SUPPORT YOUR ENVIRONMENT." SO, I AM WELCOME TO PURCHASE MY OWN PORTABLE EVSE, BECAUSE THE ONE PROVIDED WHEN I PURCHASED MY AUDI BRAND NEW IN FEB. 2017 IS INADEQUATE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO USE IN MANY PARTS OF THE USA. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PART AND DETERMINE WHETHER WE CAN SAFELY USE IT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 95F AND IF A RECALL IS NECESSARY.