Audi A3 problems by model year

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 326 owner complaints and 17 recalls on file for the Audi A3 (2005–2026). The 2016 A3 has the most serious complaints, most often about airbags.

Complaints: 326
Recalls: 17
Model years: 20
Worst year: 2016

Complaints by model year

NHTSA complaints per Audi A3 model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Audi A3 years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

2016 Audi A3 — 80 complaints, 3 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Airbags
2015 Audi A3 — 93 complaints; top problem: Airbags
2017 Audi A3 — 43 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Airbags
2018 Audi A3 — 33 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Airbags

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2008 (0 complaints).

Every Audi A3 model year

Year	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Recalls	Top problem
2026 A3	1	0	0	0	0	Electrical System
2025 A3	5	2	0	0	0	Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2024 A3	2	0	0	0	0	Electrical System
2023 A3	7	0	0	0	2	Electrical System
2022 A3	9	0	0	0	6	Electrical System
2020 A3	16	1	0	0	3	Airbags
2019 A3	10	0	0	0	3	Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2018 A3	33	1	0	2	2	Airbags
2017 A3	43	1	0	2	2	Airbags
2016 A3	80	3	2	1	3	Airbags
2015 A3	93	0	0	0	2	Airbags
2013 A3	3	0	0	0	3	Engine
2012 A3	2	0	0	0	4	Airbags
2011 A3	4	0	0	0	4	Electrical System
2010 A3	3	0	0	0	3	Transmission & Drivetrain
2009 A3	7	1	0	0	3	Transmission & Drivetrain
2008 A3	0	0	0	0	2	—
2007 A3	1	0	0	0	2	Steering
2006 A3	7	2	0	1	2	Airbags
2005 A3	0	0	0	0	1	—

Most common Audi A3 problem areas (all years)

Airbags
138 complaints
Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
67 complaints
Electrical System
65 complaints
Engine
42 complaints
Transmission & Drivetrain
36 complaints
Seats & Seat Belts
33 complaints
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
12 complaints
Wheels & Tires
9 complaints
Lighting
8 complaints
Steering
6 complaints

Complaint trend

Complaints about the Audi A3 received by NHTSA each month.

Audi A3 recalls

Recall 24V251000Apr 3, 202491 vehiclesModel years 2023
Risk: A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 24V110000Feb 14, 2024261,257 vehiclesModel years 2015–2020
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Recall 22V901000Dec 7, 2022297 vehiclesModel years 2023
Risk: Missing weight information may result in unintentional overloading of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V823000Nov 2, 20222,607 vehiclesModel years 2022
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V815000Oct 31, 2022296,044 vehiclesModel years 2019–2020
Risk: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V806000Oct 26, 20226,076 vehiclesModel years 2022
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V652000Aug 29, 20224,117 vehiclesModel years 2022
Risk: An incorrectly folded air bag can tear, prohibiting it from deploying properly during a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.
Recall 22V543000Jul 27, 20221,216 vehiclesModel years 2016
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Recall 22V515000Jul 20, 20222,584 vehiclesModel years 2022
Risk: Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
Recall 22V224000Apr 6, 2022466 vehiclesModel years 2022
Risk: An incorrectly marked child restraint anchorage may cause confusion during child seat installation, resulting in a child seat being improperly secured and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Recall 21V825000Oct 20, 20212,857 vehiclesModel years 2022
Risk: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V198000Mar 22, 2021153,152 vehiclesModel years 2015–2020
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Recall 19V862000Dec 4, 2019226 vehiclesModel years 2011–2013
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 18V082000Jan 30, 2018162,782 vehiclesModel years 2006–2013
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 16V913000Dec 20, 2016135,683 vehiclesModel years 2009
Risk: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 16V079000Feb 10, 2016151,767 vehiclesModel years 2005–2013
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 11V490000Oct 3, 2011168,275 vehiclesModel years 2010–2012
Risk: Due to the resonance condition, injector line number 2 could develop small cracks which could lead to fuel leakage. Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source, may lead to a fire.

Other Audi models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology