Audi S3 Airbag & Hood Safety System Failure Alert

Had a similar issue on my 2016 Audi S4. The active hood system failure combined with airbag warnings pointed to a faulty impact sensor. The car safety system was essentially compromised, making this a serious issue requiring immediate attention. The problem stemmed from corroded wiring connections to the front impact sensors, which are crucial components for both the pedestrian safety system and airbag deployment. These sensors communicate with multiple car electronics systems, including the active hood mechanism. The repair involved: Complete diagnostic scan of safety systems, Replacement of front impact sensors, Reset of the active hood system, Recalibration of airbag control module, Verification of all safety system functions This isnt a repair to postpone since it affects critical safety features. The active hood is part of the pedestrian safety system, designed to reduce injury severity in case of a collision. When the impact sensors fail, both pedestrian and occupant protection systems can be compromised. The whole repair process took about 6 hours at the workshop. After fixing the impact sensors and resetting the systems, all warning lights cleared and the safety systems returned to normal operation.

Thanks for sharing this experience. I also had the active hood latch issue on my S3 and the repair process sounds very similar. The crash detection system integration definitely makes these repairs more complex than they might seem at first. Did you remember the total cost for your repair? Also curious if any other warning lights or issues have come up since getting it fixed? My hood latch replacement was done about 8 months ago and so far the pedestrian safety system has been working perfectly, but always good to know what to watch out for.

Thanks for asking about the follow-up. After getting the work done on my S3, I havent seen any recurring issues with the collision detection system or active hood warnings. The repair went smoothly with the replacement of the acceleration sensor, which was causing the system fault messages. Total cost came to 315 Euro for parts and labor. The mechanic found that the car sensor network needed a full diagnostic reset after replacing the faulty component. This seems to have resolved all the warning lights and system faults completely. The active hood system is now functioning exactly as it should, with no error messages since the repair. For preventive maintenance, they suggested keeping an eye on the impact sensor connections, as corrosion in this area can trigger similar issues. The crash detection system is quite sensitive, so maintaining clean connections is important for avoiding future problems. If your repair was similar to mine, you should be fine going forward. These fixes tend to be permanent when done properly, especially when the root cause is addressed like a defective sensor rather than just resetting warning lights.

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies. After dealing with my warning lights issue, I finally got it properly fixed at a different mechanic. The whole diagnostic process was much more thorough this time around. The shop found corroded wiring near the front collision detection sensors, similar to what others mentioned. They replaced both impact sensors and did a complete calibration of the safety system. The active hood mechanism also needed adjustment since the previous repair wasnt done correctly. Total repair cost came to 380 Euro including parts and labor. Bit more expensive than expected but worth it to have the pedestrian safety features working properly again. All warning lights cleared immediately after the repair. Its been 2 weeks now with no issues. The crash detection system is working normally and no more warning messages about the active hood. Really glad I got a second opinion and found a mechanic who understood these complex safety systems.