What Audi A3 owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Audi A3 safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 169 |
| 2025 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 453 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 644 |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 727 |
| 2022 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 809 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 96 |
| 2020 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 721 |
| 2019 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 654 |
| 2018 | 45 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 632 |
| 2017 | 71 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 583 |
| 2016 | 119 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 528 |
| 2015 | 180 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 694 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 343 |
| 2013 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 858 |
| 2012 | 43 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 877 |
| 2011 | 43 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 850 |
| 2010 | 50 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 810 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Audi A3 complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
The central locking system in my 2026 Audi A3 fails, causing the vehicle to physically unlock itself after I lock it and leave it parked. The myAudi app sends âVehicle unlockedâ and âVehicle not fully lockedâ alerts. On multiple occasions I returned to find the vehicle genuinely unlocked after locking it and leaving the key fob inside my home. A remote lock command through the app returns âVehicle was locked successfully,â confirming the vehicle was physically unsecured. The dealer inspected the vehicle, scanned for faults, operated the locking system, and left it locked for several days but could not duplicate the issue. Audi corporate support acknowledged âabnormalities on th…
The Audi has problems filling fuel, it doesn't allow you to put any gallon of gasoline, the gasoline gun jumps, I don't know what's going on.
On XXX while driving my 2024 Audi A3 at highway speeds on a live freeway, the vehicle suffered a sudden and catastrophic electrical system failure. The dashboard immediately displayed critical warning indicators, including "Electrical Malfunction" and "Battery Malfunctionâ and âDrive system Malfunction.â Without further warning, the vehicle's engine completely stalled and shut down while moving in active traffic. Due to the total loss of electrical power, the vehicle immediately lost all power steering assistance and power braking assistance, causing the steering wheel and brake pedal to severely stiffen and become nearly unresponsive. I was forced to navigate a rolling, unpowered vehi…
BSG/alternator faulty. Started displaying âelectrical malfunction!â Had to stop immediately before immediate shut down on road. Problem had been known on hybrid models of Audi specially larger models. Recall/TSB have been opened for those vehicles. Vehicle was inspected by dealership. No prior warning other than that immediate red warning.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that the dealer had previously repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the vehicle was not driven until a year later after the recall repair due to medical issues. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, fuel was backing up in the fuel filler neck. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and failed to exceed 30 MPH. There was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle, and the fuel and check engine warning lights were illuminated. A family friend diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the suction jet pump had failed. The dealer was made aware of …
My 2015 Audi A3 was subject to a fuel suction jet pump safety recall. Before the recall repair was available, the vehicle developed a fuel leak and fuel-spilling problem. Audi inspected the vehicle in XXX and documented that its Tech Line advised replacing the fuel tank and all attaching components, with a quoted cost of approximately $5,730. I was unable to afford this repair and questioned why the fuel tank needed replacement. Audi subsequently performed the suction jet pump recall repair in August 2024. However, the fuel problem did not resolve. After the recall repair, I was told the vehicle continued to spill fuel during testing and that the only solution was still replacement of the f…
I have an appointment at Audi of Richmond on Wednesday 08/19/26 and was told to have the car there on Tuesday the day before the appointment to fix the recalls. I called Audi USA roadside assistance and also the actual dealership about a complimentary tow based of the fact the reason it stop driving was because of one of the recalls. They said they canât cover it because they canât confirm that was the cause that keeps it from driving which confuses me because a fuel pump recall should trigger a stop drive anyway because of fire hazard at the very least. I will upload pictures of the scanner codes that let me know it was the fuel pump recall.
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front passengerâs side air bag occupant sensor failed to identify a passenger seat in the seat. A dealer was contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that PODS had failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
This bulletin provides general information about the current tpp issues for Audi connect.
This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
This bulletin provides informaitn when there is a warning messsage; "Instrument cluster: fault. Limited warning messages. Please contact workshop"; DTC B200096.
This bulletin provides informaiotn when there are rattling/grinding noises reported from the front end.
A particularly noticeable factor is the vibration of the air column in a tire. When a tire starts to vibrate because of the road contact, this can lead to cavity resonances inside the tire that are transmitted via the wheel rim and the running gear to the vehicle interior. Because of the vehicle design and due to the specific properties of different wheel and tire combinations, a whining noise can occur at high speeds. This is a result of toroidal resonance whose frequency is noticeable between 180 - 250 Hz irrespective of the vehicle speed.
This bulletin provides information when there are cracks on the friction ring surface on ceramic brake discs.
This bulletin provides information when there is a wheel/tire imbalance.
This bulletin provides service information when DTC U0101000 is logged, lost communication with the TCM in diagnostic address 23.
This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
This bulletin provides information when there is corrosion on the friction survace of steel brake discs.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-spe
By letter dated October 3, 2011, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address a defect in approximately 168,275 model year (MY) 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Golf, and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with the 2.0L TDI Common Rail Clean Diesel engine (NHTSA Recall No. 11V-490).The recalled Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen vehicles were built from May 2008 through September 2011, the G
The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and To
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and Volkswagen (VW) have received a total of 160 complaints and field reports alleging incidents of engine stall and/or loss of power that appear to be related to high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and MY 2010 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with TDI clean diesel engines.Approximately half of the reports indicate that the failure resulted in an engine stall incident, with ma
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH FEATURE A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARBOX WITH TWO WET RUNNING CLUTCHES (DUAL CLUTCH) IN WHICH THE CLUTCH MECHANISM AND GEAR CHANGES ARE ELECTROHYDRAULICALLY OPERATED BY A MECHATRONIC CONTROL UNIT.THE DSG MECHATRONIC CONTROLLER INCLUDES EXTENSIVE SELF DIAGNOSTIC FUNCTIONS AND STRATEGIES TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION AND PREVENT SYSTEM/COMPONENT DAMAGE IN THE EVENT OF COMPONENT FAILURES OR HARSH OPERATING CONDITIONS.THE B
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2027, owners most often name: air bags, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system. 627 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
