2017 Audi A3 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Audi A3, most often about airbags. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
43
Recalls
2
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Median mileage
48,500 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Airbags is the most-reported problem area, named in 16 of 43 complaints (37%).
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (14) and electrical system (12) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 48,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries.
  • The 2017 Audi A3 has 2 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 3rd of 18 Audi A3 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 46% fewer complaints than the 2016 model year (80).

2017 Audi A3 problems by category

  • Airbags
    16 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    14 complaints
  • Electrical System
    12 complaints
  • Engine
    8 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    7 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    6 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    2 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 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 bags16
Fuel/propulsion system14
Electrical system12
Engine8
Power train6
Seats4
Forward collision avoidance: warnings3
Seat belts3

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k210k–30k530k–60k160k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2017 Audi A3 complaints that list mileage.

2017 Audi A3 recalls (2)

  • Recall 24V110000Feb 14, 2024261,257 vehicles
    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.

  • Recall 21V198000Mar 22, 2021153,152 vehicles
    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

  • RQ23007Opened Dec 12, 2023Closed Jul 1, 2024led to recall 24V110

    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 2017 Audi A3 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jun 13, 2026GAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    RECALL CAMPAIGN 20YF; DESCRIPTION- SUCTION JET PUMP I was not made aware of the recall until fuel began gushing out of my passenger side rear. The Audi dealership was aware of the recall in July of 2025 when I had routine maintenance at the service department, however it was not addressed. Fast forward to the fuel leak in April 2026, I was informed by the repair reps that the leak was due to a failed charcoal canister. I attempted several times to notify my advisor and…
    NHTSA complaint #11743858 · source
  2. Filed Feb 20, 2026WAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    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,…
    NHTSA complaint #11719288 · source
  3. Filed Dec 7, 2025CO1 injuredEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionSeats & Seat Belts
    In August 2025, my 2017 Audi A3 (VIN [XXX] ) experienced repeated stalling, strong gasoline odors inside the cabin, and a check engine light immediately after Audi completed recall-related service. The safety issue was later confirmed by the dealership to be caused by a failed suction jet pump (NHTSA Recall 24V110), which allowed fuel to enter the EVAP system and leak into the rear seat area and cabin. The leak was so severe that the rear seat and flooring had to be replaced…
    NHTSA complaint #11703596 · source
  4. Filed Jan 24, 2025WIElectrical System
    The Vehicle Electrical System Control Module J519 had a fault that prevented using many vehicle functions - no interior lights, no heated seats, dashboard and navigation screen too dim to read in daylight.
    NHTSA complaint #11638367 · source
  5. Filed Jan 21, 2025CATransmission & Drivetrain
    Car throws P2884 and the internal combustion motor will not start. The issue is gone into detail here: [XXX] recommendation is swapping out mechatronic unit for the upgraded unit. Since the unit is prone to failure this really should be a recall. It happens on all cars 2016/2017 years right around 60k miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
    NHTSA complaint #11637424 · source
  6. Filed Dec 19, 2024TXAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    Passenger airbags, and emergency braking have been failing, i would have to be aware in advance if my vehicle needs to be checked, my safety and my passengers safety is in danger because incase i need to brake quickly but dont have the reaction time to do so i will crash since emergency brake doesnt work, and my passengers would be at high risk because of failing airbags, im unsure if the problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, the…
    NHTSA complaint #11631547 · source
  7. Filed Oct 1, 2024TXElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
    The Audi San Juan -Texas Address: 1001 East Expressway 83 ,San Juan, Tx. 78589 .Do not want repair my car for a recall WATER PUMP and in the future can cause fire .Audi A3 2017
    NHTSA complaint #11617608 · source
  8. Filed Jul 17, 2024TXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11603049 · source

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Other 2017 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