Audi A3 Fuel System Problems

Owners have filed 115 complaints about fuel & propulsion system problems with the Audi A3 — 16% of all A3 complaints. The worst model years are 2015 (22), 2016 (20) and 2010 (19). Problems typically start around 57,000 miles. 3 related recalls have been issued.

115complaints
2015worst year
57ktypical miles
3related recalls
0crashes
2fires

Fuel System complaints by model year

’04’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’251101119104322201554
Fuel System complaints per model year, Audi A3.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2019440%13,000 miles
2018515%40,000 miles
20171534%50,000 miles
20162024%75,000 miles
20152224%84,000 miles
2013315%5,000 miles
201249%69,000 miles
20111023%50,000 miles
20101938%39,000 miles
200812%154,000 miles
200712%—
2006108%72,000 miles
2004117%75,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Delivery › Fuel pump
    1

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1218%
  • 25k–50k
    1116%
  • 50k–75k
    2334%
  • 75k–100k
    1421%
  • 100k–150k
    46%
  • 150k+
    34%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2019 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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

2019 A3 · May 2024

The contact owns a 2019 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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

2019 A3 · May 2024

Hello, I dropped my car off at Audi and Dominion in San Antonio Texas on Thursday July 10th for a repair this was a recall for the fuel pump system in something in the mechatronic controls. They had my car until Saturday I was informed that the repairs were done under warranty. Then on Saturday July 19th as I began to drive the vehicle a alert for my transmission malfunction appeared on my dashboard and I Lost first gear. I had my car taken to Audi on Dominion where I was informed by several service staff that this is a common malfunction after the last software update that was done the week prior and that it could take up to 48 hours to do the repair and recall warranty work on my vehicle. Audi on Dominion has had my vehicle for 5 days and has not given me an answer as to know whether or not the repairs will be approved as this is covered under my extended warranty. …

2018 A3 · Jul 2025

The low pressure fuel pump, located in the fuel tank, shorted out and melted surrounding plastic housing. The pump is available for for inspection and has been verified by an independent service center. The vehicle and failed component have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance reps. Audi of America was contacted, but declined to inspect or pass the issue to technical representatives. There were no warning lights or messages. Symptoms included hesitation at startup.

2018 A3 · Mar 2023

While driving at highway speeds, a warning light appeared as well as an alert indicating the car was limited to no more than 4000rpm. After coming to a stop, a strong smell of gasoline was noticed in the passenger compartment. Continued driving home uneventfully but the strong smell of gas persisted. The next day I drove the car to a mechanic. Their inspection notes the following: The technician verified the customer concern of a fuel smell. He performed a fault scan, finding codes for low fuel pressure. He inspected the vehicle, finding a major fuel leak under the intake manifold, most likely from a cracked fuel rail. The system is supposed to operate at 125 bar of fuel pressure, but is currently at 9-11 bar. The high pressure fuel pump is operating at 100% duty cycle, which means it has overheated and been damaged. …

2017 A3 · Feb 2026

The car started having issues around February 2024. The car first started misfiring and dying at stops which was a safety issue. When parked I noticed that there was an excessive amount of fuel that started coming out of the charcoal canister, another problem that could have resulted in the car catching on fire. The car could not be filled up with more fuel as there was pressurized fuel coming out through the fuel filler neck when the cap was removed. The problem was determined to be related to the currently active recall. I waited for 5 months for there to be a fix for the recall without being able to use the vehicle. I finally got tired of waiting and had my mechanic repair it. The fuel tank and charcoal canister were replaced and the old parts are available for inspection by interested authorities upon request. …

2017 A3 · Feb 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that there was fuel leaking from the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed suction jet pump. The contact was informed that the fuel tank and the EVAP charcoal canister needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact expressed that the failure was very scary. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,259.

2016 A3 · 41,000 miles · Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, fuel started leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering while being started. The failure occurred intermittently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact removed the EVAP hose and became aware that the hose was filled with gasoline. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The dealer confirmed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.

2016 A3 · 95,000 miles · Sep 2024

Related recalls (3)

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.

Fuel system, diesel

NHTSA recall 11V-490 · Oct 3, 2011 · 168,275 vehicles

Volkswagen is recalling certain model 2009-2012 jetta and jetta sportwagen vehicles, manufactured from May 2008 through September 2011, model year 2010-2012 Volkswagen golf vehicles, manufactured from May 2009 through September 2011, and model year 2010-2012 Audi a3 vehicles, manufactured from September 2009 through September…

Remedy: Volkswagen will install an improved fuel injector line for the number 2 cylinder on certain vehicles and will install vibration dampers on all of the injector lines.

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly

NHTSA recall 09V-377 · Sep 30, 2009 · 10,200 vehicles

Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2010 Audi a3, tt, and tt roadster passenger vehicles manufactured between September 29, 2005 and August 26, 2009. The closing force of an internal spring of the fuel tank ventilation valve is not adequate enough to hold the valve closed under extreme driving conditions…

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and Audi dealers will replace the fuel tank ventilation valve with an improved valve free of charge. The safety recall began on November 16, 2009. Owners May contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834.

NHTSA investigations

Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage

NHTSA investigation PE11023 · opened Aug 2, 2011 · closed Dec 2, 2011 · led to recall 11V-490

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.

High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP)

NHTSA investigation PE10034 · opened Aug 26, 2010 · closed Feb 8, 2011

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…

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

NHTSA investigation EA11003 · opened Feb 7, 2011 · closed Mar 27, 2015

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,…

Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)

NHTSA investigation RQ23007 · opened Dec 12, 2023 · closed Jul 1, 2024 · led to recall 24V-110

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.

Frequently asked questions

Which Audi A3 years have fuel system problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (22), 2016 (20), 2010 (19), 2017 (15) and 2006 (10) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 24% of all complaints for the 2015.

Is there a recall for Audi A3 fuel system problems?

Yes — 3 recalls, including 24V-110 (fuel system, gasoline, Feb 14, 2024); 11V-490 (fuel system, diesel, Oct 3, 2011); 09V-377 (tank assembly, Sep 30, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Audi A3 fuel system problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the delivery › fuel pump (1 mentions).

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.