2017 Audi A3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
44 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
48,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 44 complaints (36.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 15.9% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 13.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 11.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 9.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.3% |
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 | 16 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 15 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
Air Bags: 16; Fuel/Propulsion System: 15; Electrical System: 12; Engine: 9; Power Train: 6; Seats: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 3; Seat Belts: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 36 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2019: 1; 2020: 6; 2021: 12; 2022: 8; 2023: 5; 2024: 7; 2025: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 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 11327796 · 2020-06-08 (June 8, 2020)
I WAS REFILLING MY FUEL TANK OF MY VEHICLE AT GAS STATION, BUT IT KEPT CLICKING OFF WITH THE BACK PRESSURE AS IF THE TANK WAS FULL. I TRIED FILLING SLOWLY TO SEE IF THAT WOULD WORK, IT DID THE SAME THING. . I LEFT AND ON MY WAY ON THE HIGHWAY, A YOUNG MAN SIGNALED ME TO PULL OVER, I WAS HESITANT, BUT DID SO. HE SHOWED ME THAT FUEL WAS DRAINING FROM MY CAR. LUCKILY , I DID NOT HAVE A FIRE AS IT WAS CLOSE TO THE MUFFLER SYSTEM. I GOT IT TO A NEARBY MECHANIC SHOP TO SEE WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM IT WAS NOT A BURST HOSE NOR A TANK LEAK , HOWEVER THEY …
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11327796 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11470122 · 2022-06-20 (June 20, 2022)
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 my vehicle began having a hard time accelerating, then my vehicle started leaking out gas from the back of the vehicle located in front of the rear passenger tire. I then took the vehicle to Audi West Houston to have a diagnosis. After a day and a half, Audi misdiagnosed my vehicle with ethanal composition too high and recommended that the gas tank be drain. I then took my car to an independent mechanic who replaced the fuel pump. On the way to the independent mechanic for a second opinion, the check engine light surfa…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11470122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11290248 · 2019-12-20 (December 20, 2019)
WHEN DRIVING OFF AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CAR STARTS JERKING AND 'KNOCKING' AND STALLS/TURNS OFF. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYDAY AS I REVERSE OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND DRIVE FORWARD. EXTREMELY UNSAFE! DOES NOT SHOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY OTHER LIGHTS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11290248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11308609 · 2020-02-11 (February 11, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11308609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11402605 · 2021-03-12 (March 12, 2021)
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. I NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE THE ENGINE CONTROL UNI…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11402605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11488888 · 2022-10-12 (October 12, 2022)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11488888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11502272 · 2023-01-17 (January 17, 2023)
While driving on highway 59 my vehicle began to jerk. I tried to accelerate and the vehicle would ramp but not move fast. My check engine light came on as well as the error code “transmission malfunction you continue to drive until engine is off.” After getting out of Houston, Texas rush hour traffic, I had my vehicle towed to a mechanic. The mechanic ran several tests and checked the engine. Upon diagnosing the vehicle, the scan tools gave a myriad of fault code relating to electrical valve faults. All of which clear when driving the vehicle a…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11502272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11631547 · 2024-12-19 (December 19, 2024)
Passenger airbags, and emergency braking have been failing, i would have to be aware in advance if my vehicle needs to be checked, my safety and my passengers safety is in danger because incase i need to brake quickly but dont have the reaction time to do so i will crash since emergency brake doesnt work, and my passengers would be at high risk because of failing airbags, im unsure if the problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, the problem has not yet been inspected there were other symptoms like my s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11631547 at NHTSA ↗