2020 Audi A3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 13%of 16 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,525miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Audi A3, 13% of the 16 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,525 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.
“The contact owns a 2020 Audi A3. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the transmission malfunction warning light was displayed, and the vehicle failed to shift into reverse. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission mechatronics had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 17,525.”
NHTSA complaint #11644062, filed 2025-02, 17,525 miles“Car has 50,000 miles and vehicle has a bulletin on the vehicle from Audi, where the vehicle goes into limp mode and only shift through certain gears, rendering the vehicle, unable to drive and creating a safety hazard due to the fact that it can’t drive at Highway speed and or jolt and skips gears. Code for the P173600 known issue by Audi, went into mode while merging onto freeway and a lost control of vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11654220, filed 2025-04Related 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.
- 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.
- 11013693Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information when a cracking noise can be heard from the vehicle front or rear end while changing direction.
- 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 2020 Audi A3
9 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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