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Manufacturer recall number

Audi recall 69BY

Audi calls it 69BY. NHTSA filed it as campaign 21V198000 on Mar 22, 2021: air bags on the 2016–2020 Audi A3 and 3 other Audi models, 153,152 vehicles potentially affected. One recall, two numbers — the dealer quotes the manufacturer’s, the federal record carries NHTSA’s.

What NHTSA has under this number

Source: 49 CFR Part 573 filings
NHTSA campaignVehiclesComponentFiledAffectedSeverity
21V1980002016–2020 Audi A3 and 3 other Audi modelsAir BagsMar 22, 2021153,152high
Problem 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. Fix 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.

The manufacturer’s own words as filed for 21V198000. Every model year it covers, the build window and the filed PDFs →

Two numbers, one recall

Every safety recall carries two identifiers. 69BY is the number Audi assigned in its own system: it is what appears on the owner letter, on the dealer’s service screen and on the repair order. 21V198000 is the number NHTSA filed the same recall under when the manufacturer reported it, and it is the one every federal record, this site included, is keyed on.

The repair is free by federal law for vehicles up to fifteen years old. Whether one particular vehicle is included is settled by its VIN against the manufacturer’s build list, not by its model year.

Check one specific vehicle

Both lookups check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list and say whether the repair is still outstanding on that vehicle.

Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573

Is 69BY the same recall as 21V198000?

Yes. 69BY is Audi’s own number for it; 21V198000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Which vehicles does 69BY cover?

2016–2020 Audi A3 and 3 other Audi models, 153,152 vehicles by the manufacturer’s count. A recall covers a build range, so the VIN decides whether one particular vehicle is in it.

Does the 69BY repair cost anything?

No. The manufacturer must remedy a safety defect at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.