Which component causes the reported fault
On specified A4 allroad vehicles, Body Sense is integrated into passenger-seat heating. The cable to the underseat module may have a contact fault. PODS can then disable the passenger airbag despite occupancy. Signs include airbag warning, audible signal, text message and Passenger airbag off.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-874 / Audi74E3
What to check under the seat
Record exact message and occurrence conditions; the technician must identify seat type and check accessible connections under the appropriate procedure. Establish whether upholstery, heater mat or entire seat was changed. Smooth upholstery does not show cable condition beneath.
21V-874 chronology describes repeat repairs after a previous campaign and later refinement of the cable mechanism. An old recall entry therefore does not prove today’s complaint resolved. The improved shielded-cable connection has its own repair applicability.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-874 / Audi74E3
What is replaced
The remedy distinguishes heater-mat/cable from upholstery/cable replacement according to seat type. One kit is not prescribed for every vehicle. Identify the installed seat and campaign, rather than selecting a part from Allroad alone.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-874 / Audi74E3
Request a record of the fault found, installed component and PODS control results. Heating function and occupant detection need separate descriptions: working heat alone is not a check record for the whole airbag system.
After cabin damage
An accessible torn harness, moisture by the seat and the production contact scenario need different evidence. If the seat was discarded, a new-seat invoice does not reconstruct the old condition. Not every deactivation is a crash consequence, nor every heating fault this recall.
Model and years
The A4 allroad row in 21V-874 specifies MY2017–2020, June 16, 2016–November 18, 2019. This is not A6 allroad. The broad catalogue Allroad name is resolved here only to A4, without merging models.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-874 / Audi74E3
IIHS transfers the MY2017 A4 Sedan body rating to structurally similar A4 allroad. This determines neither seat/cable interchangeability nor expanded 74E3 years.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: IIHS: 2017 Audi A4 allroad
Applicability to the individual vehicle
- Only specified A4 allroad MY2017–2020; another Allroad model is excluded.
- Upholstery appearance or Passenger airbag off alone cannot identify the cable defect.
Primary sources
Sources checked on . Model or recall information does not establish the condition of an individual VIN.
Volkswagen Group of America / NHTSA repository: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-874 / Audi74E3
Applicability and source location
Certain US A4 allroad MY2017–2020, June 16, 2016–November 18, 2019. Catalogue Allroad partially resolved to A4; A6 excluded.
Page 4: A4 allroad; page 5: seat-heating/Body Sense cable contact; page 6: repeat repairs and seat-dependent remedy.
Document date: 2021-11-10. Checked: .
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: IIHS: 2017 Audi A4 allroad
Applicability and source location
US A4 allroad MY2017 redesign; CEN1614 actually tested 2017 A4 Sedan, with explicit structural rating transfer. Not A6 or interchangeable parts.
Driver small overlap: 2017 A4 Sedan, A4 allroad structural transfer/MY2017 redesign; rating years not PODS scope.
Document date: not specified in the source. Checked: .