Most common 2015 Audi A3 problems
Share of the 93 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi A3 complaints by model year
Best A3 years: 2019, 2013, 2020. Years to avoid: 2016, 2015, 2006. Compare all years →
2015 Audi A3 recalls (2)
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2015 Audi A3:
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
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.
What 2015 Audi A3 owners say
Air bags all 45 →
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that when he started his vehicle, the passenger occupant detection system and the passenger air bag off warning signs illuminated. The contact stated that both warning lights illuminated periodically when turning on the vehicle or while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for an unknown recall repair however, the contact was not aware of the failure diagnosis or what was repaired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact then stated that the passenger occupant detection system and the passenger air bag off warning signs illuminated frequently while starting the vehicle or while driving at various speeds. …
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag and the seat belt warning lights were illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 48,500. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Fuel & propulsion system all 22 →
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 35-38 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and there was a strong gasoline odor coming from the A/C vents. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road, turned off and exited the vehicle. The contact's father arrived at the scene and inspected the vehicle. The contact then drove to the residence. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle at the gas station, the gas pump stopped pumping gas in the vehicle even though the gas tank was not full. The contact stated that the vehicle had been leaking fuel while parked in the driveway. The contact's father pushed the vehicle to the side of the road. …
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that on several occasions, while adding fuel to the vehicle, there was a clicking sound before the fuel started spilling onto the ground from the filler neck. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the dealer stated that the failure might be associated with a breather issue within the fuel tank and that the breather part might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle suddenly jerked, lost power, and a rattling sound came from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, there was a leak underneath the driver's side rear wheel and a trail of condensation coming from the fuel tank, extending outside of the vehicle on the floor of the garage. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
Electrical system
The engine low oil light keeps coming on, the oil has been changed already, I've had the car for more than 7 months I haven't even driven it over 5000 miles yet. Audi needs to fix this. The power train is also the same, some days it works okay and some days it doesn't. The cars struggles sometimes to even reach speeds up to 50 mph.I've taken this vehicle to the Audi dealship as well as to a foreign certified mechanic shop. They can't figure out the problem. The engine light should not be coming on randomly when I have fully serviced the vehicle. Audi please fix these problems.
During cold ambient temperature when the engine is cold the vehicle activates an axillary cabin heater which fills the cabin with smoke and burning odor due to the heating element burning the housing and wiring inside the dash. This is a serious danger risking vehicle fire and health hazard for the operator and occupants of the vehicle. It appears multiple other Audi vehicles have a similar/same heating element that have the same issue. The 2015 A4 and Q5 appear to have a recall for this issue.
2015 Audi A3 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel | 6-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 31 / 41 / 35 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 24 / 35 / 28 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed dual-clutch | AWD | 24 / 33 / 27 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2015 Audi A3 a good car?
Based on 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 A3 rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the A3 at the same age. It is one of the A3 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2015 Audi A3?
The air bags — 45 complaints, 48% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal › passenger side › inflator module. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (22) and electrical system (17).
How many recalls does the 2015 Audi A3 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2015 Audi A3, the most recent from February 14, 2024 (fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi A3?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2013 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016, 2015 and 2006. See the full Audi A3 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2015 Audi A3 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 39% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.