Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
NHTSA recall · Reported March 22, 2017
AUDI 2017: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may de…
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with NHTSA →
Audi recalled Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 S… - a moderate-severity action.
AUDI 2017: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION was recalled by Audi in March 22, 2017. Reason: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a…. Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, fre…. Verify recall #17V196000 with the NHTSA before acting.
The recall
Audi issued this moderate-severity NHTSA recall-Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a….
- Moderate
- severity level
- March 22, 2017
- reported
Sourced from official NHTSA enforcement records. Verify recall #17V196000 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This NHTSA action (record #17V196000) was formally reported on March 22, 2017. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Audi is listed as the recalling firm. The number of affected units is not disclosed in the agency filing, which is common for drug and food recalls where lot-level tracking supersedes unit counts.
The documented reason for this recall is: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag impro… The specific hazard cited in the filing is: If the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.. Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: United States. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory. The remedy documented by the agency is: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. V… - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Vehicles recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 7,642 vehicles recalls on record
Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Affected scope
Unknown
Related Recalls
6
0 from same agency
Product description
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Reason for recall
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Hazard
If the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy, what to do
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q3.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 17V196000 |
| Date reported | March 22, 2017 |
| Date initiated | March 22, 2017 |
| Recalling firm | Audi |
| Affected scope | Not disclosed |
| Distribution | United States |
| Official source | NHTSA notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official NHTSA enforcement record. Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
What to do with this recall
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 20,…
- Check the recall number (17V196000) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official NHTSA notice before acting. NHTSA notice
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official NHTSA record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.". Recalled by Audi.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
What should consumers do? ▼
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q3.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the NHTSA on March 22, 2017. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 17V196000.
Where was the recalled product distributed? ▼
Distribution: United States.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (17V196000) against your product. Visit the official NHTSA website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
Nearby Recalls in This Category
Other recalls in the same product category, useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
CPSC Moderate
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Joolz Recalls Aer2 Car Seat Adapters for Strollers Due to Risk of Serious Injury from Fall Hazard
· 2026-06-18
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Joolz Recalls Aer2 Car Seat Adapters for Strollers Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Suffocation and Fall Haz…
CooCooBaby, of China · 2026-06-18
CPSC Moderate
Kawasaki Motors USA Recalls Model Year 2026 Teryx4 H2 and Teryx5 H2 Recreational Off-Road Vehicles Due to Impact and In…
Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A., of Lincoln, Nebraska · 2026-06-11
CPSC Moderate
Yamaha Recalls Model Year 2021-2022 Fleet Golf Cars Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from a Crash Hazard
· 2026-06-11
Compare this recall with Yamazuki Recalls Youth All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) Due to R… →
Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: NHTSA, reported March 22, 2017. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.