Volkswagen Wants Another Look at Audi A3 Airbags

Some Audi A3 drivers may want to have their airbags checked. 

Volkswagen recently announced that it is recalling some 150,000 A3 vehicles, USA Today reports. Passenger airbags may not activate in those cars, the company says.

“The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may detect a malfunction

and switch off the passenger airbag even though the seat may be occupied,” Volkswagen said in a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “If the passenger airbag is switched off by the system, there would be an increased risk of injury to the occupant seated in the front passenger seat in case of an accident necessitating passenger airbag activation.”

The recall covers certain Audi A3 cars built between 2015 and 2020. That includes the Sedan, Etron and Cabriolet models, and some S3 Sedans.

The company said affected vehicles will alert drivers and passengers when the airbag is switched off. A warning light will illuminate and a warning sound will briefly blare, Volkswagen said in the NHTSA report.

“If these warnings appear, Audi recommends to not use the passenger seat and take the vehicle to an Audi dealership as soon as possible,” the company said.

How the California Lemon Law Works

Recalls like the one announced by Volkswagen are sadly common. The world’s largest auto manufacturers recall millions of cars each year, citing a broad range of defects and potential malfunctions that put everyone on the road at risk.

That is where the California lemon law comes in for car owners and lessors in the Golden State. The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires car manufacturers to repair vehicles while they are under warranty and to buy back or replace cars that the company cannot or is unwilling to fix.

The law does not specify the number of repair requests or attempts that must be made before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. That is one reason it is important to seek the assistance of a seasoned California lemon law attorney.

The lemon law forces the manufacturer to pick up the bill for any legal fees that you incur while enforcing your rights under the law.

How a Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorney Can Help

If you are a car owner or lessor who has been stuck with a lemon, an experienced Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back. A lawyer can work with you to explore your rights and options and ensure that the carmaker is held fully accountable.

Our firm has represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in L.A. and across the state. We help the people we represent get the compensation they deserve by holding carmakers responsible for putting malfunctioning vehicles on the road. 

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.  Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a Los Angeles lemon law attorney today.