2017 Audi A3 Problems
Compared with other Audi A3 years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
19/100 0.5× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.5× that of a typical Audi A3 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 1 of its 44 complaints were filed by the end of 2019.
- Most reported part: Air bags (16 complaints, median 47,500 mi).
- 2 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 44filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 48,500miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 29 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 35 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Audi A3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2017 Audi A3. The part named most often is air bags, with 16 complaints (36% of the total), followed by fuel system (15) and electrical system (12). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 48,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 592 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the front passenger and 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign, 1 NHTSA investigation and 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 8 Audi A3 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 19 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Air bags16 36%
- Fuel system15 34%
- Electrical system12 27%
- Engine9 20%
- Seats4 9.1%
- Seat belts3 6.8%
- Exterior lighting2 4.5%
- Other or unknown2 4.5%
Also reported: Body and structure (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “The seat sensor on the passenger side is faulty, causing the air bag light to staty on while operating the vehicle - the pre-sense light to stay on - and the un-buckled seat belt alarm to stay going off. All while operating the vehicle. The brand dealership said airbag maynot deploy while seat sensor is malfuctioning. $1200 repair.”
NHTSA complaint #11342416, filed 2020-07, 54,000 milesFuel system: “My car after starting (with engine either cool or warm) will stall at times when I'm going2-3 MPH. I have stalled at intersections. I go to put my foot on the gas and the car will sputter and stall. It will then restart with a little difficulty though starts back up. There are no icons that illuminate on the dashboard with any problem. There are no check engine lights or battery lights that are going off.”
NHTSA complaint #11308609, filed 2020-02, 72,000 milesElectrical system: “Regardless of front seat passenger presence: 'passenger airbag off', 'seatbelt off', and 'pre sense off' warning messages illuminate at car start, restart, drive, park, restart, repeat. Unable to clear warnings. Also appears in vehicle dash warning system. Started noticing intermittently after airbag recall addressed, not sure if exact date. Now, the malfunction is constant.”
NHTSA complaint #11365758, filed 2020-10, 50,000 milesEngine: “Engine stalls while accelerating from a stop. This condition has been dangerous. Car has been to the Audi dealer 3 times to remedy the problem. That cannot diagnose the issue. It is going in for a 4th time april 12th 2021. This issue is extremely dangerous. The car will lose power and stall as you are pulling out into traffic. Happens daily.”
NHTSA complaint #11403263, filed 2021-03, 10,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,000 and 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.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Audi A3. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.9% risk |
| A3 · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2017 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2016: same overall rating; 2018: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2017 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); plug-in hybrid figures are for gasoline-only (hybrid mode) driving, so no annual cost is shown.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,300 |
| A3 quattro AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,500 |
| A3 e-tron FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid | 6-speed automatic | 33 | 36 | 34 gas only | — |
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
- 24V110000Feb 14, 2024Fuel system, gasolineCovers: Audi A3 2015–2020, Volkswagen Golf 2015–2020, GTI 2015–2020 +2 more
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…
- 21V198000Mar 22, 2021Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passengerCovers: Audi A3 2015–2020, S3 2015–2020, RS 3 2017–2020 +1 more
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…
Recall details for the 2017 Audi A3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- RQ23007Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)Closed · Dec 12, 2023
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. 592 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038130Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- 11038027Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- 11038042Sep 22, 2026Steering. This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
- 11038024Sep 22, 2026Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
- 11038056Sep 18, 2026Body and structure. This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.
- 11038025Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
- 11038143Sep 9, 2026Other or unknown. This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11038033Sep 8, 2026Body and structure. This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
- 11038026Sep 8, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the App Store for Android and Apple phones.
- 11036917Aug 26, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
Other model years of the Audi A3
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | — | 0 | — | 28 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 7 | 57,083 | 2 | — | 32 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 9 | 26,000 | 6 | — | 32 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 16 | 7,000 | 3 | 5 | 30 | — | Falling |
| 2019 | 10 | 13,223 | 3 | 5 | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 33 | 23,000 | 2 | 5 | 29 | 24 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2017 | 44 | 48,500 | 2 | 5 | 29 | 19 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2016 | 83 | 62,300 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 20 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 93 | 63,500 | 2 | 5 | 27 | 8 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 20 | 50,000 | 3 | — | 24 | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 43 | 66,557 | 4 | — | 24 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 43 | 50,100 | 4 | — | 24 | 73 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 50 | 48,500 | 5 | — | 24 | 99 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 47 | 72,500 | 5 | — | 24 | 78 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 43 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 25 | 82 · More | Stable |
| 2007 | 52 | 62,000 | 3 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 123 | 72,000 | 4 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 6 | 2,650 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Audi A3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Audi A3 have?
NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2017 Audi A3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2017 Audi A3 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 16 complaints (36% of the total), followed by fuel system with 15.
Has the 2017 Audi A3 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2017 Audi A3 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Audi A3 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Audi A3 get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Audi A3 (A3, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 35 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Audi A3 reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 48,500 miles and the middle half falls between 45,000 and 50,000 miles; 50% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.