2017 Audi A3 CABRIOLET problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 25 complaints (48.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 12.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | 1 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
Air Bags: 12; Engine: 5; Power Train: 3; Seat Belts: 2; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 1; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger: 1; Electrical System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2017: 7; 2019: 2; 2021: 5; 2022: 9; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10950379 · 2017-02-08 (February 8, 2017)
WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING AND THE TRANSMISSION IS IN D/S AND THE START/STOP ENGINE BUTTON IS PRESSED TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, THE TRANSMISSION IS LEFT IN NEUTRAL AND THE CAR CAN ROLL UNIMPEDED. THIS IS FULLY REPEATABLE AND APPEARS TO NOT BE A FAIL-SAFE SITUATION. SHORT VIDEO VIEWABLE HERE: HTTPS://GOO.GL/PHOTOS/GUPETK6CSQ6IC8HU8
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10950379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11005273 · 2017-07-14 (July 14, 2017)
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AS A PARENT YOU WANT TO HAVE YOU CHILD AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.THE VEHICLE IS ANYTHING BUT SAFE. AS A MATTER OF FACT IT'S AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. OR WORST A FATALITY.THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING JUST TURNS OFF. IT WASN'T EVEN A MONTH INTO OWNING THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT ISSUES STARTED TO ARISE. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING.ABOUT 4 WEEKS LATER, WHILE ENTERING THE EXPRESSWAY,ONCE AGAIN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING COMPLETELY TURN OFF. BY A MIRA…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11005273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11004966 · 2017-07-12 (July 12, 2017)
ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND DISPLAYS MESSAGE OF "START/STOP SYSTEM DEACTIVATED. PLEASE RESTART ENGINE MANUALLY. THE YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN APPEARS. AND THE VEHICLE ROLLS AWAY UNLESS BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES - 10 TIMES IN MY CAR, 3 IN MY FIRST LOANER CAR AND 6 IN MY SECOND LOANER CAR. THE VEHICLE IS USUALLY IN MOTION RIGHT AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED AND THE CAR IS DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 500 FEET, AFTER THE CAR IS GOING 3-5 MPH THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND THE CAR WILL ROL…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11004966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11000404 · 2017-06-21 (June 21, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (CROWN AUDI LOCATED AT 19940 US HIGHWAY 19 N CLEARWATER, FL 33764 [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS STILL BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 08/22/17*LJ UPDATED 8/25/2017*JS
Owner-reported narrative. 4,671 miles reported. Look up ODI 11000404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11472767 · 2022-07-07 (July 7, 2022)
The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, fuel was spilling from the fuel filler neck. The contact drove back to her residence and placed the vehicle in park(P) and noticed the odor of gasoline entering the cabin. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact exited and checked the gas cap and noticed that fuel was pouring from under the passenger’s side rear tire. The contact had the vehicle towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be r…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11472767 at NHTSA ↗