2017 Audi A3: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 11324382 · 2020-05-13 (May 13, 2020)
BOTH FRONT DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRLS) FADING TO YELLOW COLOR. THE DRLS LOOK LIKE THEY ARE OFF WHEN DRIVING IN THE DAYTIME. THE LED STRIP IS ALSO FADED WHEN HEADLIGHT CONTROL IS SWITCHED TO ON. LIMITS VISIBILITY IN THE NIGHTTIME. THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED, IN MOTION, AND AFTER MULTIPLE RESTARTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11324382 at NHTSA ↗
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 11342416 · 2020-07-30 (July 30, 2020)
THE SEAT SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS FAULTY, CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO STATY ON WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE - THE "PRE-SENSE" LIGHT TO STAY ON - AND THE UN-BUCKLED SEAT BELT ALARM TO STAY GOING OFF. ALL WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE BRAND DEALERSHIP SAID AIRBAG MAYNOT DEPLOY WHILE SEAT SENSOR IS MALFUCTIONING. $1200 REPAIR.
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11342416 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11354557 · 2020-09-12 (September 12, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11354557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11365758 · 2020-10-22 (October 22, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11365758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11389918 · 2021-01-25 (January 25, 2021)
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 WHI…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,668 miles reported. Look up ODI 11389918 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V198000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | Air Bags:On-Off Switch Assembly
Reported: 2021-03-22 (March 22, 2021)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
Consequence: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V110000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Reported: 2024-02-14 (February 14, 2024)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
NHTSA campaign record ↗