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Audi A3Model year report

2013 Audi A3 Problems

Complaints
20filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
50,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 Audi A3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2013 Audi A3. The part named most often is air bags, with 10 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine (3) and fuel system (3). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 45% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 863 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 56 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 46 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata inflator replacement issue on 12/31/2017 I was driving in los angeles under normal conditions when suddenly there was a hissing noise and some kind of particulate matter spewed from around the steering column where there is a join with the wheel. This was directed at my face for 10-15 seconds which I breathed in as I was driving. I am also concerned about the nature and contents of the particulate matter, and, that the airbag might not function properly in an accident or that it might inflate without any reason of its own accord.”

NHTSA complaint #11060844, filed 2018-01, 31,000 miles

Engine: “While driving in seattle's notorious stop and go traffic, my A3 tdi, has stalled. It acts as if I have dropped the clutch, which is impossible being an automatic!!. This has happened to me on two occasions. There is less than 5k miles on my new car. Both time it has gone immediately into university Audi. First time, no answers. Still waiting on diagnostics from today's episodes.”

NHTSA complaint #10500063, filed 2013-02, 2,300 miles

Fuel system: “Purchased used 2013 Audi A3 tdi 3 months ago. Only use diesel fuel. Driving onto i80 west when I heard/felt car hiccup, lost power. Coasted to stop sign, tried multiple time but would not start. Towed to dealer who informed me that fuel pump (hpfp) had come apart spewing metal shards into system and that entire system had to be replaced. Research showing documented failures in vw tdi (same engine) hpfp in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Is system safe?”

NHTSA complaint #10643331, filed 2014-10, 31,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Car stalled in fast moving traffic, and then lurched forward. In the stall the car behind me almost ran into me. In the lurch, I almost rear ended someone. Fortunate that both times there was no collision. Took the vehicle to Audi and the car has been diagnosed with failed mechatronic - a $4,000 repair. It was shared that this is a known issue with Audi for my model year (faulty mechatronic), and as such has been recalled in several countries, but not the US. …”

NHTSA complaint #11464480, filed 2022-05

Mileage when problems were reported

45% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,111 and 65,000 miles.

27%0–100%10–2518%25–5045%50–750%75–1009%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 50,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

201320166201820202026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2013 Audi A3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
A3 FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual213024$3,400
A3 FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic212824$3,400
A3 quattro AWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic212824$3,400
A3 FWD2.0L 4-cyl · diesel6-speed automatic293732$3,000

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2013 Audi A3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 863 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 863 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi A3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20255—0—28—Too new
2023757,0832—32—Too new
2022926,0006—32—Not enough data
2020167,0003530—Falling
20191013,2233529—Not enough data
20183323,000252924 · FewerFalling
20174448,500252919 · FewerFalling
20168362,300352720 · FewerFalling
20159363,50025278 · FewerFalling
20132050,0003—24—Falling
20124366,5574—2450 · TypicalFalling
20114350,1004—2473 · MoreFalling
20105048,5005—2499 · MoreFalling
20094772,5005—2478 · MoreFalling
20084325,0003—2582 · MoreStable
20075262,0003—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200612372,0004—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200462,6500———Not enough data

All Audi A3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013 Audi A3 have?

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2013 Audi A3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2013 Audi A3 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 10 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine with 3.

Has the 2013 Audi A3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Audi A3 get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Audi A3 (A3, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2013 Audi A3 reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 5,111 and 65,000 miles; 45% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.