FaultScore

Audi A3 other reported problems

39 of the 945 complaints filed about the Audi A3 are about the other systems — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2016.

39

Complaints

4%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

Other & Unspecified complaints by model year

2006 A3 2 5.1%

Median failure at 120,000 miles

2007 A3 1 2.6%

Median failure at 77,000 miles

2008 A3 1 2.6%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

2009 A3 1 2.6%
2010 A3 1 2.6%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

2011 A3 1 2.6%

Median failure at 33,500 miles

2013 A3 2 5.1%
2015 A3 8 20.5%
2016 A3 8 20.5%
2017 A3 2 5.1%
2018 A3 4 10.3%
2019 A3 1 2.6%

Median failure at 12,946 miles

2020 A3 2 5.1%
2023 A3 2 5.1%
2025 A3 3 7.7%

What owners said

2025 Audi A3 Ft Lauderdale, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On two separate occasions, approximately four months apart in spring and summer 2026, while turning left across oncoming traffic at a green light, the vehicle's brakes applied hard on their own with no driver input. Each time the vehicle came to an abrupt halt mid-turn for roughly one second before releasing. On both occasions a driver-assistance warning message displayed on the dashboard at the time of the event. Because this occurred while turning in front of oncoming traffic, it created a serious risk of a collision. The exact dates were not recorded. These events occurred after a battery replacement performed at the dealership in February 2026. This is reported so it is on record under this vehicle's VIN and can be compared against similar reports of unintended or self-activating braking on this platform.

NHTSA complaint #11751873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Audi A3 San Ysidro, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 failures that I’m faced with today. Oil starvation from known oil leaks, damaged gaskets, and failing parts caused oil starvation of the turbo, constant overheating with coolant and oil problems since purchasing the car and which ultimately froze the turbo and snapped the propeller. I’m still struggling without an operating vehicle for over a year, and trying to afford these expensive repairs, which should’ve been covered under the 15 year PZEV warranty and/or recalls of these known parts failures. It was at the dealership in plenty of time for the SMOG certification, which was the sole reason for the appointment and it being at AudiSD, which they refused to do. These are extremely expensive repairs, these are known issues with several class action lawsuits and recalls behind them, yet they simply refuse to take ownership, deny any support, and making excuses for their lack of responsibility. I asked several times for them to do the right thing, take the car back and refund my money or give me an equivalent car to what I was promised when I purchased it, they refused and no management has been involved. I deserve to be compensated for my time over the last several years dealing with these repeated issues, compensation for all the parts I have been forced to buy, refunded the amounts I’ve paid for technicians to truly diagnose the problem and for the repairs I’ve yet to be able to afford, as well as the towing and other charges I have incurred as a result of purchasing this vehicle from AudiSD

NHTSA complaint #11723149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Audi A3 San Antonio, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was driving vehicle and heard a loud sound like an explosion. I looked up and there was a big hole in my sunroof. The sunroof exploded. Yes you can look at it. It proceeded to crack and glass flew everywhere. Danger was that glass flew everywhere, got in my hair and could have been way worse. It is very dangerous and lucky I didn’t wreck. I have no idea was this is not deemed bad enough for recall. Audi has the vehicle and the case has been turned over to their corporate engineering department. They are going to determine if they will fix it which I know from reading this is a recurring issue. There were no warnings. Insurance knows but Audi is responsible.

NHTSA complaint #11719608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Audi A3 Rehoboth, MA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Safty issue with standard equipment, backup camera stopped working. Safty feature now unavailable. Told by dealer that it's a common issue. Will fail Massachusetts inspection because the camera is standard safety equipment. Told I need a new 5f module and they are back ordered at audi which tells me it's a major problem since they can't supply them now, should be a recall on this unit....

NHTSA complaint #11716929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 Audi A3 Basking Ridge, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The honk stopped functioning on January 21 2026. I noticed this when a car was moving into my lane on a major highway and I need to honk to alert them. Not being able to alert another drive that they are about to hit me puts me, the other driver, and potentially others at risk. I had to break hard, which is also a safety hazard. The honk has not functioned since, so it was not an isolated issue. No warning lights went on. I have scheduled an appointment with the Bridgewater dealership for Friday January 30.

NHTSA complaint #11713416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 Audi A3 Queensbury, NY Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

2016 Audi A3 Hagerstown, MD

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The rearview camera is failed. Yes I can have an inspection done. Yes, dealer confirmed that camera is failed but wanted hundreds of dollars to troubleshoot. Has not been inspected by police or insurance. No it just stopped working one day.

NHTSA complaint #11674377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Audi A3 New Bedford, MA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Passenger air bag not working light of airbag system stays on

NHTSA complaint #11651010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Audi A3 Baltimore, MD

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Since 2021-2022 I have had several issues with my reservoir tank. This tank holds my coolant and has leaked continuously. They had a settlement for this problem but omitted the a3. I paid Audi dealership $ 1,600.00 to fix the problem a few years ago and have been having the same problem ever since. A few months after I paid for this problem Audi had a settlement for the reservoir tank and I was denied reimbursement because I owned a a3 and a3’s were not included in the settlement but a3 ‘s still had the reservoir problem as well. I contacted Audi USA on several occasions and still have been disregarded but Audi USA wants you to pay for the diagnostic first at the dealership just for them to even look at the immediate problem. I just contacted Audi USA again 1/29/25 because now I have to put my car in the shop again to get it fixed but the coolant constantly leaks and Audi service shop wants me to pay for it and I feel that I should not have to pay for (their )problem again and the same problem over and over. At this point the coolant is pouring out like water and I must get my car to the shop immediately because the engine light comes on stating no coolant running hot and this is how the Audi cars catch on fire.Please investigate this !!!! I refuse to give Audi any more of my money when they should be held responsible. I can’t find my receipt of date and amount paid but I can get this info from the dealership. I’m tired of going in a circle with this same car issue. I want my car fix and my settlement reimbursement.

NHTSA complaint #11639543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Audi A3 Mission, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

2018 Audi A3 Whiteville, TN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Will be driving down the road and warning light comes on and car forces me to switch over to manual transmission in order to drive it. If I turn the vehicle off for a minute it will let me reset it to automatic, but then will switch back over to manual. Just wondering if the fuel leak pump that has been recalled is causing this problem.

NHTSA complaint #11584881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Audi A3 Cambridge, MA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

There is a current recall for 2015-2020 Audi A3 sedan models regarding the vehicles EVAP SYSTEM, and I believe my car is experiencing that same issue but my specific vehicle isn’t listed as it is a 2016 Audi A3 Premium Plus Sportback E-tron. My engine light is illuminated and when checked, the detecting device says the warning is due to a small leak from the EVAP system in the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11574043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Audi A3 Dothan, AL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The thermostat failed and had it replaced and now the water pump has failed.

NHTSA complaint #11571046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Audi A3 Oxon Hill, MD

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Dropped off car to audi arlington to fix recall. They said it was finished but did not update the recall status. Called audi multiple times to ask, was not able to reach them. Left voice mail and still no call back.

NHTSA complaint #11524881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Audi A3 Ville Platte, LA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While I was driving down the road out of know where my moonroof bursted open and sounded like a gunshot and clumps of glass fell into the car, previous night before I heard shifting sounds in the roof.

NHTSA complaint #11517059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Audi A3 Newberg, OR

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

As of October 25, 2022, the manufacturer (Audi) continues to not provide a solution to Recall Number 69BY / NHTSA Recall Number 21V198, stating that parts are still not available.

NHTSA complaint #11490844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Audi A3 Phoenix, AZ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My 2015 Audi A3 has a recall since first part of 2021 for passenger air bag sensor. We have tried several times to get this recall fixed and every time we call the dealership they don’t have the parts. This has gone on for about a year and a half now. I would hate to see this turn into a very large lawsuit because Audi doesn’t know how to get the parts.

NHTSA complaint #11489031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Audi A3 Palo Alto, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Dealer (Audi of Palo Alto) has failed to notify us of this safety recall or make arrangements to fix it.

NHTSA complaint #11488473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Audi A3 Bayside, NY Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

vehicle switched into neutral and accelerated Unable to control or stop Crashed into bush 2014 AUDI checked said no issuue Vehicle switches gear unexpectedly on highway and slows and drags Audi checked Said normal 9/3 2022 foot on break to a full stop at a light Anothet auto in front Audi suddenly switched gear and started to accelerate Would not stop Crashed into car in front Gear stayed frrozen in neutral for a few mimutes.

NHTSA complaint #11482996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Audi A3 Indianapolis, IN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN

NHTSA complaint #11473610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Audi A3 problems