Audi A3 years to avoid (and the best years)
405 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recalls across 9 model years, 2010 to 2020. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 405complaints
- 10recalls
- 7reported crashes
- 5reported fires
- 4reported injuries
Which Audi A3 years should you avoid?
No Audi A3 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Audi A3 year has 42 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2015 (92) and 2016 (74).
What are the best Audi A3 years?
The Audi A3 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2020 (16), 2013 (20) and 2018 (32). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 16 | 0.4× | 3 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2018 | 32 | 0.8× | 2 | 1 | 2 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2017 | 36 | 0.9× | 2 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2016 | 74 | 1.8× | 3 | 3 | 1 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2015 | 92 | 2.2× | 2 | 0 | 0 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2013 | 20 | 0.5× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2012 | 43 | 1.0× | 4 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2011 | 42 | 1.0× | 4 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2010 | 50 | 1.2× | 5 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 111 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain49 (44%)
- Airbags & seat belts39 (35%)
- Electrical & infotainment8 (7%)
- Other systems7 (6%)
- Steering, suspension & tires4 (4%)
Recalls (10)
Fuel system · 24V110000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Tires · 22V815000 · Oct 2022 · model year 2020
An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 22V543000 · Jul 2022 · model year 2016
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.
Airbags · 21V198000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Airbags · 19V862000 · Dec 2019 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V082000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
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.
Airbags · 16V079000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
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.
Fuel system · 11V490000 · Oct 2011 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
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.
Fuel system · 09V377000 · Sep 2009 · model year 2010
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Transmission · 09V333000 · Aug 2009 · model year 2010
THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.