2015 Audi A3 problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Audi A3, most often about airbags. There are 2 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 93
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Median mileage
- 63,500 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Airbags is the most-reported problem area, named in 45 of 93 complaints (48%).
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (22) and electrical system (17) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 63,500 mi.
- The 2015 Audi A3 has 2 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 2nd of 18 Audi A3 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
2015 Audi A3 problems by category
- 45 complaints
- 22 complaints
- Electrical System17 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts16 complaints
- Engine10 complaints
- Other / Unknown8 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain5 complaints
- Steering2 complaints
- Body & Structure2 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech1 complaints
- Lighting1 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Air bags | 45 |
| Electrical system | 17 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 |
| Seats | 10 |
| Seat belts | 10 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 9 |
| Unknown or other | 8 |
When problems happen (mileage)
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. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
- AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY · 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.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
NHTSA defect investigations
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. 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 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emiss…
Recent 2015 Audi A3 complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Sep 26, 2026MIFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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.
NHTSA complaint #11767086 · source - Filed Sep 8, 202694,242 miTNFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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…
NHTSA complaint #11762865 · source - Filed Aug 19, 2026TXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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…
NHTSA complaint #11757884 · source - Filed Aug 17, 2026VAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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 can’t cover it because they can’t confirm that was the cause that keeps it from driving which confuses me because a fuel pump…
NHTSA complaint #11757471 · source - Filed Jun 3, 202675,000 miTXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The contact owns 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated while parked and when attempting to input fuel into the vehicle the fuel hose sprayed fuel into the contact's clothing and shoes and began to leak under the vehicle near the rear tires. An independent mechanic was contacted. The contact mention the failure has occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle…
NHTSA complaint #11741854 · source - Filed Jun 2, 2026134,000 miFLFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that when filling the fuel tank, fuel leaks out of the vehicle. The failure would occur as soon as the contact filled the tank with about $ 3 worth of fuel. The contact recalled that previously, they struggled to open the fuel cap. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, diagnosed that the suction pump had failed. The issue related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included.…
NHTSA complaint #11741459 · source - Filed Apr 2, 2026FLFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
the jet fuel pump is on the recall list for front wheel drive audi a 3 cars - they are only including vin numbers for that type of car - mine is all wheel drive and even though i have the same faulty part in my car they will not take responsibility for it - which is why there is a class action law suit against audi america now - so i am filing all of the things that i can to help in resolving the issue of them misrepresenting a car for a 2nd time to me and selling me…
NHTSA complaint #11728851 · source - Filed Mar 9, 2026CAEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
Blown turbo with propeller broken off lodged into the pre-catalytic converter, which caused damage to the catalytic converter/exhaust requiring a new turbo and a complete new catalytic converter and exhaust system. They also found major oil leaking from the upper timing cover gaskets, which I later found documented on the accounting service record as not repaired at that time few months from my purchase. These known engine damages were a major contributor to the engine…
NHTSA complaint #11723149 · source
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Other 2015 Audi models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology