2017 S3 - Passenger Seat Occupancy Recognition Error

[xander3zero]

Driving my 2017 S3 (25k miles) with my gf in the passenger front seat the other day, and I got a Pre-Sense warning about passenger airbag being turned off - not recognizing a passenger in the seat.

Didn't think too much of it, after restarting the car no faults appeared and passenger airbag indicated to be activated. Scanned the car today with my OBD11 and got the following 2 faults that occurred at the same mileage in the airbag module:

B102229 - Passenger occupant detection system control module Implausible signal
Intermittent
Date: 2020-12-19 11:22:56
Mileage: 40113 km
Priority: 2
Malfunction frequency counter: 2
Unlearning counter: 62
B12251B - Seat occupied recognition sensor mat Resistance too high
Intermittent
Date: 2020-12-19 11:22:52
Mileage: 40113 km
Priority: 2
Malfunction frequency counter: 2
Unlearning counter: 62

When I do a search for either of the error codes I'm pointed to a recall about a passenger airbag occupancy error in which the sensor has faulty contacts and needs to be replaced and have some wiring re-routed under the passenger seat. The recall I found only mentioned 2015-2016 S3 and no model years after 2016. When I search my VIN on Audi USA and NHTSA, no open recalls or service actions are found. I purchased my S3 CPO about 2 months ago and this error has only occurred once, and hasn't come up since.

Anyone else have this happen to their 2017+ S3 and had it addressed by the dealer? No CEL obviously, and I cleared the codes from the module - but I do have the log saved that I could reference. I don't think the dealer would give me a hard time about handling this, I'm just wondering why the recall stops at model year 2016? It looks like the affected model years for A3/RS3 go up to 2019, but S3 stops at 2016. Should I make it a point to bring my car in sooner rather than later, or give it a bit and see if the issue presents itself again? I think for safety sake if it happens again I will definitely make a visit to the dealer and in the moment I would immediately pull over and restart the car to make sure the passenger airbag is activated.

[johnruan]

There is a recall for passenge seat airbag sensor. Go to dealer had it fix under recall.

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[xander3zero]

There is a recall for passenge seat airbag sensor. Go to dealer had it fix under recall.

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Technically the recall doesn't cover 2017 (Recall 69Z4). Was just curious if anyone knew if there was a different one for me to reference or not?Screenshot_20201227-120427.jpg

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[aaronc7]

IIRC the recall was for a passenger seat CONNECTOR related to the PODs system, that would result in the same or similar error. 2017 S3-- I got it done.

But mine is also now malfunctioning. It works fine when someone sits in the seat. But when empty, the resistance value or whatever is beyond limits and throws the error code.

Because this is the actual sensor vs connector... I don't *think* the dealer will help you out for free.

But let us know what you end up doing!

[XMetal]

Technically the recall doesn't cover 2017 (Recall 69Z4). Was just curious if anyone knew if there was a different one for me to reference or not?Screenshot_20201227-120427.jpg

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I know that recall only reference 2015-2016 S3, but for sure it covers more than that. My 2018 got that PODS recall. You can always bring it into your dealer to have them scan your VIN and see if the recall applies to you.

[xander3zero]

Thanks for all the responses so far guys.

Just to clarify my issue has only occurred one time and the seat was occupied.

I do have the dealer service history for this car and I just checked - this car had the PODS recall completed on 6/4/2020.

Parts:
000979911 - Connector
8P0972785 - Harness

Labor:
"Seat-occupied sensor touched up"

Very interesting that the issue seems to have popped up again. I think for now I will just keep an eye on it and if it happens again I'll bring it in to the dealer. Not dying for a dealer visit right about now lol.

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[ralphie_43]

I did this fix on my 15 S3. I bought a new seat sensor and replaced it never had any issues since this is the true only fix that works


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[bakedcorn]

I assume the actual replacement is similar to this vid.....

https://youtu.be/yw1GFN7eQHk



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[prdonut2k7]

I also had this issue in my 2018 S3. It started very intermittantly (maybe happened once or twice) where the passenger airbag turned off with someone in the passenger seat, and then the error came on and wouldn't go away (it had the passenger airbag off light on the dash as well as the presense warning and beeping). Was still under warranty so it was covered, and it looked like they replaced the module. I can post the parts used from the service order if that's helpful.

[xander3zero]

I also had this issue in my 2018 S3. It started very intermittantly (maybe happened once or twice) where the passenger airbag turned off with someone in the passenger seat, and then the error came on and wouldn't go away (it had the passenger airbag off light on the dash as well as the presense warning and beeping). Was still under warranty so it was covered, and it looked like they replaced the module. I can post the parts used from the service order if that's helpful.

Did this happen after you had the recall repair performed? Or are you saying you hadn't had the recall performed and then had the issue.

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[prdonut2k7]

Did this happen after you had the recall repair performed? Or are you saying you hadn't had the recall performed and then had the issue.

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It was a CPO I bought a couple months ago, so I'm assuming the recall was done before they sold it to me. No active recalls were showing on MyAudi when I got it. Not sure if there's a better way to check.

[xander3zero]

It was a CPO I bought a couple months ago, so I'm assuming the recall was done before they sold it to me. No active recalls were showing on MyAudi when I got it. Not sure if there's a better way to check.

Gotcha, sounds like it's probably been done prior to you owning it then.

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[bakedcorn]

I mentioned in another thread that my wife and I went for a test drive in a 2019 and that tester out of the gate had the PODS error. This was a Canadian dealer. So I’m thinking they are recycling the same parts. It’s a shit set up from what I can tell. I’d rather have the damned thing active at all times instead of cycling on and off based on occupancy or not.


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[MikTip]

Heres my problem...my S3 is "tuned"...take it to dealership for above mentioned issue...they hook up the computer to it...

I DIY fixed my issue by replacing the Seat Occupant Sensor Module under the seat. As thats what VCDS showed was having issues

Got a used one from a salvage yard...same part number..$40

https://www.ebay.com/itm/P200699-201...H/254623486544

Seems Audi wont sell one to me...

Then used VCDS to set and adapt it. Fixed

I zip tied everything back up like it was factory.

[ralphie_43]

I assume the actual replacement is similar to this vid.....

https://youtu.be/yw1GFN7eQHk



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This is pretty much what I did to gen I did mine and it worked 0 issues


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