2017 Audi A3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 14%of 44 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Audi A3, 14% of the 44 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,000 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.
“2017 Audi A3 sedan- with around 47,000 miles -stalled out in drive thru and at a red light intersection. Twice. Almost got in 2 accidents while driving once on the highway and once on a city road. Engine light on dash was blinking. Code reader initially was reading p0300, p0301 and p0302 .. Multiple cylinder misfires. Towed car to Audi, and they did complete maintenance service. Ran codes and now all of the sudden it need a new transmission and the code is p0172 bank 1 system too rich. …”
NHTSA complaint #11402605, filed 2021-03, 47,000 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“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11534031, filed 2023-07““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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11538951, filed 2023-08“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11488888, filed 2022-10Related service bulletins
- 11033484May 8, 2026This TSB provides information when the gearbox warning light is on; event memory entry P0174A00/P174E00.
- 11033475May 6, 2026The high-voltage batteries in electric vehicles are subject to various ageing effects which could lead to the energy content (energy density) being reduced. This reduction in the…
- 11028399Jan 5, 2026This bulletin provides information when there is an oil leak near the transmission cooler.
- 11027358Dec 11, 2025This bulletin provides additoinal information to assist in determining the energy content of lithium-ion high-voltage batteries.
- 11025324Oct 17, 2025This bulletin provides information when there is a gearbox malfunction warning; DTC P0C2900 in the TCM.
- 11021441Jul 30, 2025This bulletin providesi nformation when various DTCs are stored; high maximum temperature recorded for clutch K1.
- 11017610Apr 2, 2025This TSB provides information when the earbox warning light is on; event memory entry P0174A00/P174E00.
- 11016508Mar 21, 2025This bulletin provides information when there is a gearbox malfunction warning; DTC P0C2900 in the TCM.
- 11011241Nov 25, 2024This bulletin provides information when the engine warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster, and the vehicle has reduced power. DTCs P256300, P056E00, P00AF00.
- 11009318Sep 26, 2024This bulletin provides information when the engine warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster, and the vehicle has reduced power. DTCs P256300, P056E00, P00AF00.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 14% |
| 2022 | 2 | 22% |
| 2020 | 2 | 13% |
| 2019 | 1 | 10% |
| 2018 | 4 | 12% |
| 2017 | 6 | 14% |
| 2016 | 6 | 7% |
| 2015 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 2 | 10% |
| 2011 | 3 | 7% |
| 2010 | 11 | 22% |
| 2009 | 15 | 32% |
| 2008 | 13 | 30% |
| 2007 | 16 | 31% |
| 2006 | 37 | 30% |
| 2004 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2017 Audi A3
16 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsEngine
9 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 29, 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