55 complaints reported

2015 Audi A3 Air Bags

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
55
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jan 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag off warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The VIN was included however, the vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2022
Nov 2021

PODS FAILURE. PASSENGER OCCUPANCY DEVICE. WHEN NOT WORKING, PASSENGER AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF WHILE PASSENGER IN SEAT. IN MY CASE THE PART WAS REPLACED AT 10,208 MILES AND FAILED AGAIN AT 13,924 MILES. AUDI REPLACED THE SENSOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER A LOT OF DEBATE, BUT REFUSE THE SECOND TIME. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HARNESS THAT PLUGS INTO THE SENSOR, BUT NOT THE SENSOR ITSELF. CRITICAL AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM SHOULD NOT FAIL AT THIS MILEAGE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS FAILURES HIGHLIGHTED IN MANY AUDI FORUMS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR AUDI, AND THE NUMEROUS OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2021
Aug 2021

The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called Audi Fort Lauderdale (1200 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, (954) 545-4650) and Audi North Miami(1995 NE 142nd St, North Miami, FL 33181, (305) 952-5900), and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2021
Aug 2021

The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the alarm repeatedly activated causing the battery to drain. The vehicle was repaired prior to the recall however, the failure persisted. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2021
Jul 2021

The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) had failed to operate with a passenger seated in the front passenger’s seat. The contact then received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that an interim repair could be performed on the vehicle however, due to previous poor service, the contact decided not to have the recall repaired at that dealer. The contact then took the vehicle to Audi Gilbert (3235 S Gilbert Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85297) where they informed him that they would have to scan the vehicle prior to having the interim repair performed. The contact notified manufacturer and the manufacturer spoke with the dealer. The contact was called back by the manufacturer and was informed that since his vehicle was no longer under warranty he had to pay for the vehicle to be scanned, as well as, for the interim repair to be performed on the vehicle. The contact refused the service. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2020
Jul 2021

After taking my '15 A3 to the dealer to have the Passenger Occupant Detection (POD) serviced, the issues started. For example, the passenger seatbelt sometimes chimes when no one is in the passenger seat, to the airbag shutting off when someone is seated in the passenger seat. As a result, I've reached out to my local Audi dealer to schedule an appointment to fix the issue. However, the service representative informed me that the recall is currently on hold due to parts not being readily available from Audi of North America to fix the issue. The dealer added my information to a waiting list and told me to wait for a phone call or an email when the PODS recall parts are available. Three months later, and I am still waiting.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2021
Jun 2021

My airbag light randomly goes off while driving or parked. Someone can be in or not in the seat. Shows they’re not buckled in while they are. It sounds with a ding. Documents at dealership where they told me it was my own issue. I was saving to do their repair recommendations.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2021
May 2021

The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified about the recall however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2021
May 2021

I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY 2015 AUDI THAT SO MANY OTHERS I READ ARE HAVING, MY PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR KEEPS TURNING ON AND OFF WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. I’M NOW CONCERNED AFTER READING ALL THESE REPORTS THAT I’M GOING TO GET HOSED SINCE AUDI ISN’T DOING THE PROPER THING AND FIXING WHAT’S ACTUALLY WRONG WITH THIS CAR. WHO’S RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE PASSENGER IN MY CAR DIES BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS OFF DUE TO A MANUFACTURER’S DEFECT THAT WAS IGNORED?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2021
Apr 2021

I experienced the exact scenario listed in NHTSA Recall Number21V198. Took the vehicle to my local Audi Dealer. Paid for the necessary safety repairs. Submitted for reimbursement with Audi USA reached out to them multiple times and they have refused to reimburse me for the parts and labor. Attached are the recall and emails between me and Audi USA. Thank you for any support you can provide.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2021
Feb 2021

The manufacturer has yet to find a remedy for hmmmmm cars recall.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2021
Jan 2021

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. IF THEIR IS NO PASSENGER THE SEAT BELT WARNING SIGNAL GOES OFF. THE SEAT BELT MUST BE ENGAGED EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO PASSENGER PRESENT IN ORDER TO GET THE SIGNAL TO STOP DINGING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2019
Jan 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI VIRGINIA BEACH (2865 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS) WHERE THE CABLE TIES IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT AND PODS HARNESS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE ALL CONNECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2021
Dec 2020

AUDI PASSENGER OCCUPANT SYSTEM CONSISTENTLY FAULTS EFFECTIVELY DISABLING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS ISSUE OCCURS MOSTLY WHILE A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT, BUT FROM TIME TO TIME WILL OCCUR WHEN NO PASSENGER IS PRESENT. IT OCCURS WHILE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION DURING NORMAL DAY TO DAY DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THE PODS RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2019, WHICH HAS MADE THE ISSUE WORSE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2020
Sep 2020

WITH AN SOMETHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT A WARNING MESSAGE SAYS THAT BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION, THE AIRBAGS ARE TURNED OFF. A FEW SECONDS TO A MINUTE OR TWO LATER ANOTHER MESSAGE SAYS THE AIRBAGS ARE ON. THIS SEQUENCE CAN APPEAR MANY TIMES IN AN HOUR OF DRIVING OR NOT APPEAR AT ALL FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS REPORTED AND RECALLED FOR CERTAIN 2018 AUDI S5 AND A5 VEHICLES ALONG WITH SOME 2017-2018 A4S. I'VE NOTICED THIS HAPPENING WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. I THOUGHT THAT I HAD THE ORIGINAL AIRBAG ISSUE FIXED WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICES FOR THE RECALL OF FAULTY WIRING UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT, BUT AUDI IN CARY NORTH CAROLINA SAID THAT THIS IS A SEPARATE ISSUE AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE FORMER RECAL.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2020
Jul 2020

SEPT 2019 RECALL FOR AIRBAG CONNECTOR AND WIRING. REPAIRED IN OCT. SAFETY BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN FOR THE SAME SEAT, THEY SAY NOW IT IS SENSOR NOT THE RECALL ITEM. THERE ARE 75 OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. SEEMS LIKE RECALL SHOULD HAVE REPLACED SENSOR AS WELL. NOW IT COSTS $1300 TO FIX SENSOR WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AT THE TIME OR AT LEAST OFFERED TO REPLACE WHEN TEHEY HAD THE RECALL SEAT TORN APART TO SAVE $1K IN LABOR.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2020
Jul 2020

AUDI HAS A RECALL TO FIX THE WIRING IN THE PODS SYSTEM, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE COMPONENTS TO DETECT AND PROTECT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT EXISTS. THE RECALL DOES NOT FIX THE SENSOR ITSELF WHICH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS AN EXISTING FAILURE ISSUE. KNOWING THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AUDI HAS YET TO RECALL THE SENSOR AS PART OF THE SYSTEM TO DETECT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THIS IS AS BAD IF NOT WORSE THEN THE AIRBAG RECALL THAT EXISTS TODAY. THEIR EXPLANATION IS THAT THE SENSOR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE ITS A DIFFERENT COMPONENT THAN THE WIRING HARNESS, EVEN THOUGH THE HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE SENSOR AND THE CONNECTION WAS PART OF THE PREVIOUS RECALL. INSTEAD THEY WANT TO CHARGE BETWEEN 1200 AND 1300 DOLLARS FOR EACH REPLACED SENSOR. THIS ISSUE WILL CAUSE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO FAIL TO ACTIVATE BECAUSE THE SENSOR DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER OR NOT. ADDITIONALLY THERE COULD BE INJURY TO THE DRIVER ON DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INADVERTENTLY DUE TO SENSOR FAILURE TO CORRECTLY IDENTIFY OCCUPANT. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM AND SHOULD NOT BE MANAGED AS SUCH AS A FAILING USE PART. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS A SAFETY ITEM.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2020
May 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AUDI WESTMONT (276 E OGDEN AVE, WESTMONT, IL 60559) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN UNKNOWN AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: May 2020
Nov 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUDI BELLEVUE (1533 120TH AVE NE, BELLEVUE, WA 98005, (425) 249-7388) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2019
Oct 2019

I OWN A 2015 AUDI A3.AUDI RECENTLY HAD A RECALL (#69Z4) TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE WITH THEIR PODS SENSOR SYSTEM. AUDI CLAIMED THE FIX AS A REVISED WIRING CONNECTION AND CABLE ROUTING. MY A3 EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SYMPTOMS AND ISSUES THE RECALL COVERED. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR HOWEVER IMMEDIATELY AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR THE ISSUE STILL PERSISTS. DEALER SAYS IT IS ACTUALLY AN ISSUE WITH THE PODS SENSOR ITSELF BUT THAT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THIS UNDER WARRANTY. I CALLED AUDI USA WHO CLAIMS THE SAME. IT APPEARS THEIR FIX IS NOT ROBUST ENOUGH TO FIX THE ACTUAL PROBLEM BUT THEY WILL NOT CORRECT IT FURTHER. AS IT STANDS NOW MY CAR STILL WILL NOT ALLOW THE AIRBAG TO WORK PROPERLY WHILE A PASSENGER IS THERE OR NOT. AIRBAG WARNING GOES OFF CONSTANTLY AND "AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED NEARLY ALL THE TIME BUT WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. HOW EVER, AFTER GOING BACK INTO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP, THE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PRESSURE SENSOR UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. PART NUMBER : 8V0898522S AND N0152612 WOULD NEED TO BE PURCHASED TO FIX THE AIR BAG LIGHT ISSUE. THE PRICE OF THE PART BEING $1000 THAT IS NOT INCLUDING LABOR. IN THE STATEMENT ON THE RECALL IT SAYS THAT THIS ISSUE WILL BE RESOLVED. THE REPRESENTATIVE AT AUDI USA INSISTED THAT I SHOULD GO TO AN AUTHORIZED AUDI DEALERSHIP TO GET THE WORK DONE SO THIS WHEN IT IS COMPLETED, I AM TO SEND HER A COPY OF THE INVOICE AND WORK ORDER TO BE REVIEWED BY HER SUPERVISOR FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT. SHE ALSO STATED THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY PERSON EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. I HOWEVER REFUSE TO SPEND $1000+ TO FIX THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THIS RECALL. THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, NOT JUST REROUTING THE WIRES AND REPLACING THE CONNECTOR TO THE SENSOR BUT ACTUALLY REPLACING THE SENSOR IT SELF AND NOT TRYING TO PUT A BAND-AID ON THE ISSUE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2019
Aug 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A3. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH MEANT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. AUDI OF MEADOW LANDS(425 ROUTE 3, EAST SECAUCUS, NJ 07094) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PART FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V474000(AIR BAGS) WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2019
Jul 2019

MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER69Z4 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER19V474 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE. VEHICLE HAS SINCE FAILED VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION AND IS NEEDED ON A DAILY BASIS TO GET TO AND FROM WORK.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2019
Jul 2019

AUDI RECALLED THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) BUT HAS NOT RELEASED A REMEDY YET. MY CAR'S SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE LEADING TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG BEING PERMANENTLY TURNED OFF MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS. THE LOCAL DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT WITHOUT A REMEDY BEING AVAILABLE. AUDI NEEDS TO GET THIS PODS RECALL COMPLETE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2019
Mar 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THEN REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V824000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI CALABASAS (24650 CALABASAS RD, CALABASAS, CA 91302, (818) 574-3211) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2018
Jan 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A3. WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, SIGNALING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. AUDI OKLAHOMA CITY (LOCATED AT 13000 BROADWAY EXT, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73114, (405) 748-8001) WAS CONTACTED AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2019

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Quick Summary

The 2015 Audi A3 has 55 Air Bags complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.