Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2017 Audi A3, assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its VIN to decode that exact car, its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment, alongside these records.
Open a VIN recordRecalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Audi A3 year.
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this make, model and year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car. A dealer can confirm from the VIN.
Issue: 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.
Campaign 21V198000
Issue: 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.
Campaign 24V110000
Rated configuration: 2017 Audi A3 C FWD
The parts named most often across 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so read this as where to look rather than as a defect rate.
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.
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)
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 problem has not yet been inspected there were other symptoms like my sensors going off or the car telling me some assists were malfunctioning in heavy rain or when the car is dirty
The passenger side break light and signal stop working occasionally. I took it to a certified Audi service center, and they were able to fix the issue but reported that the central wire system that makes the break light and signal work are defective and that the issue will continue given that the cables may move every time I close and open and close my truck as the cables run through there. This is a mayor safety issue.
Panoramic sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving under normal conditions. This happened while I was driving on a freeway. Luckily I maintained my composure and safely drove home with broken glass all over myself. My car insurance paid for most of my sunroof replacement. There was no symptoms or warnings prior to this incident.
The vehicle cabin started to smell like gas and the car would not accept fuel into the tank. Took to Audi/VW independent repair shop where they indicated fuel jet pump in gas tank was not working properly and that it had flooded various components with fuel (charcoal cannister, etc.). Directed us not to drive as it was a fire danger and said that we should send to Audi to see if they would cover this under warranty as it was a major emissions and safety problem. Towed to Audi dealer in Dallas. Dallas Audi dealer indicated this sounded like exactly what had happened for a recall issued for 2016 A3s. I learned this was subject to a warranty extension. Am working with the dealer who is trying to determine if that applies. Regardless, this is my daughter's car and a fuel leak with fumes in the cabin is a danger that should be fixed by recall.
The high voltage battery no longer charges to full. Only 7 out of 8 possible indicator bars are illuminated, the car now only shows 17-20 miles available. When I purchased the car 3 years ago, it showed 28-29 miles available. Car was at Audi dealership, got tested, Audi says it's within tolerance. I disagree, 30% to 40% of the capacity is lost so far. There are many more owners that are reporting the same issue on the Facebook Audi A3 group.
“Transmission Malfunction/no reverse gear. Okay to continue driving” comes on constantly the past 2 years now. I’ve only had this vehicle 3 years. Yes , it is available for inspection. This puts my safety and the safety of my other passengers at risk because my vehicle will abruptly slow down in fast flowing traffic and it will uncontrollably accelerate when it’s time to come to complete stops. A local mechanic used a sensor to check for faulty defects and confirmed that my transmission is having sensor issues. There has never been any warning lamps , regarding this problem. There have been no prior warning messages regarding this issue. I purchased this vehicle from Audi Dealership in Van Nuys, CA in November 2020. I have had this vehicle less than 3 years & as of now , it has less than 35,000 miles on it.
This concerns a recall issued. Audi issued a recall/reimbursement for transmission failure. Mine failed. Car stopped in the middle of roadway. I had transmission repaired before recall was issued. I have attempeted reimbursement and am denied by audi due to my vehicle being a theft recovery. However they have performed multiple recalls on this vehicle since I have owned it with the theft recovery title. They also performed the transmission reprogram after I had it fixed at no charge. NHSTA itself states salvage/rebuilt title is no reason for not performing a recall except in exceptional circumstances when car is no longer drivable. I am asking for help in getting audi to honor the recall. Had I been on the highway I would have been smashed when the car shut down.
While driving on highway 59 my vehicle began to jerk. I tried to accelerate and the vehicle would ramp but not move fast. My check engine light came on as well as the error code “transmission malfunction you continue to drive until engine is off.” After getting out of Houston, Texas rush hour traffic, I had my vehicle towed to a mechanic. The mechanic ran several tests and checked the engine. Upon diagnosing the vehicle, the scan tools gave a myriad of fault code relating to electrical valve faults. All of which clear when driving the vehicle again. The mechanic informed me the transmission was not the issue but the mechatronic system had failed due to a faulty part. The mechanic said the issue could be repaired but would likely occur again as Audi as a history of faulty mechatronic systems. The mechanic called an Audi dealership who stated Audi’s mechatronic control unite has not yet resolved the root cause failure at factory level, meaning all replacements and repair kit components still have the underlying defects that will cause malfunction, usually outside the short one-year manufacturer warranty. I believe Audi manufacturer knows their cars still have a defective part hence why an extended warranty on the mechatronic system is offered. Also, Audi vehicles made in 2016 were recalled due to a defective mechatronic system. My vehicle was made in early 2017. I called the Audi dealership to make them aware of the safety and they ignored me, and tried to sell me another vehicle. This is my second safety issue with Audi vehicles, the first being an expulsion safety issue. There is no way I am purchasing another Audi.
2017 Audi A3 Etron Sportsback- Engine light turned on at 50k, when scanned for errors no codes. Then around 55k miles started to stall when slowing down or at a full stop. The car must be turned off then immediately go into drive. Felt very dangerous when driving in high traffic areas and areas with many stop lights/signs. Car error say Transmission Malfunction first then says something about Limited Power. We had changed ATF and filter, still had issues. Then it started to not allow to go into reverse. Issues were intermittently happening then became more constant. Finally towed to Audi dealer they are not 100% but they say a new transmission is needed. After seeing complaints of similar situation I think this should be a recall on the transmission for these cars.
Passenger air bag light intermittently comes on after starts. Car has been showing exact symptoms from the PODS recall since I bought it in May, and I’ve tried to have this fixed by 3 separate Audi dealerships, and none of them have been able to fix it. At this point, this recall has now been active for over a year and a half, and I think it is absolutely ridiculous to have a non-functioning passenger seat in a “practical” hatchback. Thus, at this point, I would like to escalate this further and potentially fight for a buyback, as this is a recall that both devalues the car AND puts my passenger (and potentially myself, as this one fault has most likely disabled the entire SRS; granted I don’t want to find out for myself) at risk. The “no-passenger” fix would have worked for 30-ish days while Audi worked for a fix, but 1.5 years is ABSOLUTELY UNREASONABLE and totally ridiculous for a $50,000+-MSRP luxury vehicle from the Volkswagen Audi Group.
Showing 12 of 36 complaints.
Over 5 years this costs $500 less in fuel than an average new vehicle.