Audi A3 Problems by Year

We compared every Audi A3 model year from 2004–2025 using 727 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 20 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2016, 2015 and 2006, which drew far more complaints than other A3 years at the same age. The best years are 2019, 2013 and 2020.

18model years
727complaints
20recalls
2016, 2015worst years
2019, 2013best years

Complaints by model year

’04’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’25612352434750434320938344331016975
Owner complaints per model year, Audi A3. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202551.7×—Collision AvoidanceFew
20237typical2ElectricalAverage
20229−21%6ElectricalAverage
202016−39%3AirbagAverage
201910−64%3Fuel SystemGood
201833−17%2AirbagAverage
201744typical2AirbagAverage
2016831.8×3AirbagCaution
2015931.7×2AirbagCaution
201320−51%3AirbagGood
201243typical4AirbagAverage
201143typical4AirbagAverage
201050typical5Fuel SystemAverage
200947−21%5AirbagAverage
200843−16%3AirbagAverage
200752−60%3AirbagGood
20061231.4×4AirbagCaution
20046−84%—AccelerationGood

* Complaints compared with the median A3 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Audi A3 problems

Latest Audi A3 recalls

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

NHTSA recall 24V-251 · Apr 3, 2024 · 91 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant detection system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 8, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA recall 24V-110 · Feb 14, 2024 · 261,257 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 22V-901 · Dec 7, 2022 · 297 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S3, RS3, and A3 vehicles. The Safety Certification label on the B-pillar is missing weight capacity information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Remedy: Audi dealers will install an overlay label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 50ZZ.

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 22V-823 · Nov 2, 2022 · 2,607 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Golf R A8, Audi S3, RS3 Sedan, Q4 E-Tron SUV, A3 Sedan, and 2022-2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI, and ID4 vehicles. The rearview camera image may be blank or unresponsive when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear or when the park function is manually activated.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners February 14, 2023.

Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems

NHTSA recall 22V-815 · Oct 31, 2022 · 296,044 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi's customer service at…

All 20 Audi A3 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Audi A3 should you avoid?

2016, 2015 and 2006 — these years have the most complaints relative to other A3 years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2016.

What is the best year for the Audi A3?

2019 has the fewest complaints compared with other A3 years at the same age, followed by 2013 and 2020. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Audi A3 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (338), transmission & drivetrain (125) and fuel & propulsion system (115). Airbag complaints peak in the 2006 model year.

How many recalls has the Audi A3 had?

20 recalls across 2004–2025. The model year with the most is 2022. See all Audi A3 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.