86 of the
945 complaints filed about the Audi A3
are about the electrical system —
9% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2015.
Dealer is refusing to acknowledge the known BSG defect (TSB 2058831/13) and is instead attempting to charge for secondary electrical failures (ABS/AC) caused by the primary charging system failure. 2023 Audi A3 2.0T, VIN [XXX] . Recurring 48V BSG (Belt Starter Generator) failure causing complete loss of power steering and brake assist. First documented under warranty October 29, 2025 at 45,500 miles at Audi Livermore (RO #XXX) — 48V battery at 0%, fault code P0A7D00. Dealer only recharged battery and erased codes without replacing BSG. Vehicle became completely undriveable March 22, 2026 with cascading electrical failures including CELO state, ABS failure, and complete loss of power steering and brake assist — a dangerous safety condition. Vehicle has been at Audi Livermore since March 26, 2026 — 40 days — unrepaired. Audi is now attempting to charge $3,751.70 for consequential faults caused by the unrepaired BSG. Open Audi Corporate Case #XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11735828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I get an error message that says: Selector Lever Malfunction. Currently the car is still drivable it is an issue with the transmission/gear shifter for transmission. This could cause serious injury if the transmission decided to stop working/communicating with the sensor while driving. Currently it states that it is safe to drive, however I could be on my way home and have it switch without warning. Based on research online, this error has effected many people with the same exact year, make, and model as my car. Where this could effect the transmission it could cause serious safety issues for myself and any other drivers on the road it if suddenly decides to change from, Okay to drive and Not okay to drive. It did not cause an incident with me, however there is large potential that it could cause an incident. I feel this should be investigated to prevent possibly injury or even worse, death if it impacts the operation of the vehicle while someone is driving.
NHTSA complaint #11713636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smelt like something was burning and the smell was coming out of vents. Looked online and found that people have been having issues with the auxiliary heater for the HVAC to help the car warm up faster. I check mine and found that the connector was staring to melt. Seems like it could be a potential fire hazard if not caught soon enough.
NHTSA complaint #11702870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving my car on a city street when it all of sudden stopped. The car died without warning. I was about to complete a left hand turn into a shopping center parking lot. Thankfully there was not traffic headed towards me at the time or my son and I could have been hit. There wasn't any traffic nearby behind me. Should there have been, we likely would have been struck from the rear.The way the car just put us down like that is very dangerous. I am being told it may be an alternator issue.
NHTSA complaint #11702558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Installed two brand new batteries. The new batteries won't stay charged. The car cut off suddenly while I was driving. Many codes started flashing rapidly. The brake makes a clicking when trying to restart the car. The car wouldn't start.
NHTSA complaint #11701640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Please see attachment: “Hello, my name is [XXX] . I'm I'm calling about a vehicle. Recall on an Audi 2023. And I'm having trouble with the manufacturer regarding this Notice that they sent us [XXX] . thank you very much bye-bye…” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11697574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2016 Audi A3 Sportsback E-tron vehicle was parked at my house. When I went to start it the engine did nothing, no power. The message “Driver System Fault” and a red triangle with a red ! in the middle was displayed on the instrument panel. I was unable to start or operate the vehicle. I called AAA and they towed the vehicle to a Recharge Hybrid pump location near my house. I tired to charge the battery and it would just turn off. Then I called AAA again and they towed my car back to my house and checked the small 12 volt battery to see if that was the problem, they determined that the 12 volt battery still had 75% life in it. They were unable to get my vehicle started. The same message is still on the dashboard “Driver System Fault." The failure mileage is approximately 81,567. I want to know before I call the Dealer and get it towed again if this issue is the Hybrid High-Voltage Battery or the housing bonded seam could have lead to corrosion the service recall from a while ago. Service Action Code 93D2
NHTSA complaint #11689751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the engine running, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power. During the failure, the message “Driver System Fault” was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was unable to restart or operate the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Hybrid battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
NHTSA complaint #11686827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1) Electronic emergency brake goes on repeatedly when attempting to put vehicle in gear. 2) Speed control has coasted to a very low speed while on the highway several times, on its own with no vehicles in front of me. 3) Numerous other “glitchy” electrical issues exist. Dealer says they are collaborating with engineers in Germany. There is currently no fix. It is as if the vehicle is always cycling through various “glitches”.
NHTSA complaint #11686190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2015 Audi A3 1.8T is experiencing the exact same failure symptoms and operational hazards as those described in Audi’s own Warranty Extension U49, which covers certain 2017 and 2018 Audi A3 and A3 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI models. According to Audi’s bulletin, vehicles with faulty mechatronic units are eligible for replacement under an extended warranty due to safety concerns — sudden loss of drive, vehicle being stuck in neutral, and PRNDS flashing while in traffic. My vehicle is now exhibiting these identical symptoms: (1) Sudden disengagement of all gears while driving when it tries to go to fourth gear. At this point, there is a (2) flashing PRNDS indicator and “Reverse Gear Not Available” message. (3) Loss of ability to accelerate in moving traffic, requiring emergency maneuvers, and halting traffic. (4) Temporary restoration of function after shutting off and restarting the engine, only for the problem to happen again. (5) Check Engine Light. This is a serious safety hazard that puts both the driver and other road users at risk. The only reason my vehicle is excluded from the coverage appears to be its model year (2015), despite the fact that the mechatronic unit and failure mode are identical to the covered 2017–2018 vehicles. I believe Audi overlooked this issue in other year models and, as such, I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate why Audi is limiting this safety-related repair to only certain VIN ranges and model years, when vehicles just a couple of years older are exhibiting the exact same dangerous defect. A sudden loss of propulsion at highway speeds is a serious risk that warrants broader manufacturer accountability. The company should fix this issue as soon as possible.
NHTSA complaint #11680457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Audi had a recall on my 2018 A3 for a Passenger Occupant Detection System. in July 2023, Audi replaced the PODS Sensor mat. Recently, the same car has encountered the same issue. The PODS light indicates the airbag is off even if a passenger is sitting in the seat. There has been not repair work since July 2023, that would impact the PODS. And the warning lights reappeared after a period of normalcy. I feel this is an incomplete recall remedy and Audi is now wanting to charge me for the repair
NHTSA complaint #11668621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact observed a RED triangle icon, and the message "Electrical System Malfunction Defect - Low Charge" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle then lost motive power. The vehicle was steered over to the side of the road and stalled. The vehicle was restarted after 45 minutes. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fault control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,083.
NHTSA complaint #11643339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
If the car is not driven for 20 minutes per day and the car sits for any length of time the check engine light comes on. The dealership advises it is the 12v battery is run down. According the Audi USA and the service order that the car is operating as designed.
NHTSA complaint #11643055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the Electronic Power Control System (EPC light) malfunctioned, and the vehicle lost power. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power, the temperature gauge raised with the radiator fan activated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle restarted immediately. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The check engine warning light and the electronic power control system warning light was illuminating on and off. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11633446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Recall on this vehicle several years ago. Taken to the Audi dealership for repairs of the recall. No change after recall repairs completed. The airbag and seatbelt warning lights have continued to light up.
NHTSA complaint #11589770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gear Shift Micro Switch This is a documented issue recalled for VW and Audi vehicles between 2015-2019. VW recalled all and still is fixing the issue in cars from those years, yet AUDI decided to just offer an extended warranty to those cars for that specific issue. Who is responsible VW or AUDI. If Audi is owned by VW and the issue is in both types of cars made by them, why aren't AUDI vehicles included to the recall and repair.
NHTSA complaint #11588153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.