Owners filed 87 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 5 times.
When it fails
03300033,000 milesMedian miles at failure
63 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Air Bags
38
0
0
0
Fuel/Propulsion System
7
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline
5
0
0
0
Exterior Lighting
5
0
0
0
Engine
5
0
0
0
Power Train
4
0
0
0
Electrical System
4
0
0
0
Wheels
3
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
3
0
0
0
Structure › Body
3
0
0
0
5 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification19V474000
Filed Jun 19, 2019138,896 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.
Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
Risk. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.
Equipment › Other › Labels17V280000
Filed Apr 26, 20172,091 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.
Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Audi A3 1.8T FWD S tronic and 2.0T Quattro S tronic vehicles. The safety certification label has an incorrect vehicle production date. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Risk. In the event of a vehicle safety recall, an incorrect production date may prevent owners from determining if the recall affects them, increasing their risk of injury or a crash.
Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install an overlay label containing the correct vehicle production date, free of charge. The recall June 23, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51F5.
Fuel System, Gasoline16V647000
Filed Sep 7, 2016110,042 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.
Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system.
Risk. As fuel accumulates in the EVAP system, it may leak out through the charcoal canister filter element. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298, Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 20Y6 and 20Y5. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 24V-110.
Seats15V824000
Filed Dec 8, 2015904 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.
Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, LLC (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet vehicles manufactured June 5, 2014, to April 1, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driver or front passenger seat whose cover may be incorrectly stitched, preventing the side air bag from properly deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk. Improper side air bag deployment may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's and/or front passenger's seatback cover, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on February 4, 2016. The recall began on February 29, 2016 . Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74C9.
Filed Apr 17, 20156,205 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.
Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Golf, and GTI manufactured on February 17, 2014, to May 22, 2014, and Audi A3 manufactured on February 16, 2013, to April 23, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
Risk. If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle will not start, or if the engine is running, it will stop and the vehicle will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any affected fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi at 1-800-253-2834.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 31, 2023113,000 milesTX
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated while refueling, there was gasoline leaking from the vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle however, while the vehicle was parked gasoline was still leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the suction pump had failed and that the suction pump, charcoal canister, and a valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 113,000.
Air Bags
Filed Nov 8, 2022TX
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air Bags
Filed Oct 24, 2022TX
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air Bags
Filed Oct 20, 2022AZ
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Steering
Filed Oct 17, 202233,000 milesFL
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated while reversing out his driveway, the steering wheel firm and hard to turn. The contact noticed that an unknown warning light was illuminated. Additionally, there was a message stating “Do not Drive”. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact was also informed that the steering wheel assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 33,000.
Air Bags
Filed Oct 17, 2022FL
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air Bags
Filed Sep 21, 2022CA
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air Bags
Filed Sep 6, 2022TX
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer had been notified about the issue on multiple occasions and each time informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 1, 2022162,000 milesTX
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undetermined speed, the fuel level decreased. The driver noticed that fuel was pouring out of the vehicle. The driver added fuel to the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was parked for several days. While the contact was driving the vehicle, the vehicle worked as designed. The contact stated that while driving, she was informed by another motorist that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The contact pulled up to the gas station and became aware that fuel was pouring out of the nozzle. There was an odor of fuel detected inside the vehicle. The contact was able to add fuel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the suction pump and EVAP system were inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that the vehicle was repaired in 2018 under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V647000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine and Engine Cooling) but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.
Air Bags
Filed Aug 30, 2022GA
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air Bags
Filed Aug 19, 202265,000 milesFL
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air Bags
Filed Apr 20, 202256,000 milesFL
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the repair failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to repair the vehicle in a timely manner. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
Air Bags
Filed Apr 1, 2022160,000 milesNC
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag off warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The VIN was included however, the vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Air Bags
Filed Mar 28, 202268,000 milesIL
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the Audi presence system fault warning chime and light was illuminated. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light would illuminate whether or not there was a passenger seated in the seat. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air Bags
Filed Mar 10, 2022MA
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the air bag warning light had remained illuminated and the error message “passenger air bag off” was displayed. The failure mileage was unavailable. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air Bags
Filed Mar 7, 2022MA
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer and Audi Stratham (58 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham, NH 03885) were contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air Bags
Filed Feb 18, 202267,000 milesGA
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but canceled the scheduled appointments for diagnostic testing on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air Bags
Filed Feb 17, 202273,000 milesCA
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH with her son sitting in the front passenger’s side seat, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the recall repair was not completed as the contact left with the vehicle to pick up her son from school. The contact stated that the dealer refused to honor the manufacturer's vehicle rental assistance offer. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air Bags
Filed Jan 25, 2022135,000 milesPA
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had previously been serviced four years ago for the recurring failure, and the dealer had replaced the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) sensor mat. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Electrical System › Ignition › Interlock/Lockout
Filed Jan 21, 202249,154 milesPA
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that she was able to remove the key from the ignition switch even though the gear selector was not in the PARK position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer installed a microswitch. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall for the failure because it was not a safety hazard. The failure mileage was 49,154.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jun 19, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.