Audi Issues Recall for Over 3,700 E-Tron GT Models Due to Airbag Sensor Fault

Audi has issued a safety recall for 3,773 vehicles across its 2022–2023 model year Audi E-Tron GT and RS E-Tron GT lineup due to a defect in the front passenger seat airbag system. The issue stems from a potentially faulty crimp connection in the seat cushion’s heating mat, which may cause the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) to malfunction and deactivate the airbag, even when the seat is occupied.

The safety risk involved is significant, as a deactivated airbag could result in increased injury to the front seat passenger in the event of a collision. Affected vehicles may display a warning light, an error message on the instrument cluster, and an illuminated “Passenger Airbag OFF” indicator. The issue was identified in vehicles produced between January 2022 and March 2023, a timeframe during which manufacturing inconsistencies in the crimp connection were observed.

The root cause has been traced to the crimp connection linking the heating wire and connection cable in the passenger seat. Audi’s supplier, Gentherm GmbH, produced the components involved in the defect. To date, Volkswagen Group of America, which oversees Audi’s U.S. operations, has received 169 warranty claims related to the issue, filed between July 2023 and December 2024.

Audi plans to replace the affected seat cushions with updated parts that feature an improved, more robust crimp connection. Because the vehicles are still under warranty, Audi will not implement a reimbursement program. Production corrections were made as of March 2023 to eliminate recurrence of the defect. Dealerships were notified by April 11, 2025, and vehicle owners will receive official recall notices by June 6, 2025.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from a recall report issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

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