2017 Audi A3 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 27%of 44 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Audi A3, 27% of the 44 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“Passenger air bag off light will illuminate while passenger is seated. Numerous error codes will flash on dash. Car on highway, in motion.after a few minutes, light will turn off and error codes disappear.”
NHTSA complaint #11354557, filed 2020-09, 45,000 miles“The vehicle was affected previously and confirmed fixed by Audi under recall 69z4 for the occupant sensor. The airbag, seatbelt, Audi presense error light will illuminate at times regardless of whether an occupant is sitting in the passenger seat going on and off sporadically while driving or stationary. The vehicle is eligible to be fixed under warranty, however it appears their original fix under the recall was not adequate in resolving the occupant airbag sensor light and poses a safety hazard to passengers if the airbag were to turn off while an accident occurred. …”
NHTSA complaint #11389918, filed 2021-01, 25,668 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11560571, filed 2023-12“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11487560, filed 2022-10Related service bulletins
- 11035810Jul 9, 2026This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.
- 11034643Jun 23, 2026This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.
- 11034634Jun 23, 2026This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.
- 11033492May 22, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
- 11032165Apr 30, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
- 11031053Mar 26, 2026This bulletin provides informaiton regarding the Universal Traffic Recorder.
- 11031051Mar 20, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn about various infortainment system complaints.
- 11030985Mar 17, 2026This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance gives false warnings.
- 11030984Mar 2, 2026This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance gives false warnings.
- 11029407Feb 17, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 20% |
| 2023 | 4 | 57% |
| 2022 | 4 | 44% |
| 2020 | 1 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 10% |
| 2018 | 4 | 12% |
| 2017 | 12 | 27% |
| 2016 | 16 | 19% |
| 2015 | 17 | 18% |
| 2012 | 6 | 14% |
| 2011 | 4 | 9% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 5 | 11% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2017 Audi A3
16 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Audi A3
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology