Audi A3 recall history
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Audi A3, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Audi A3. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Audi A3, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 2001–2025 with 55 recall campaigns and 904 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 2022 (6), 2010 (5), and 2009 (5).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 2006 (140), 2015 (122), and 2016 (108).
- Top recall themes: Airbags, Fuel and emissions, and Other.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Air bags, Power train, Electrical system.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Airbags
8 campaigns · Years: 2005–2013, 2015–2020, 2022–2023These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
Fuel and emissions
3 campaigns · Years: 2006–2012, 2015–2020These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Other
3 campaigns · Years: 2009, 2022These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
Equipment and labeling
2 campaigns · Years: 2019–2020, 2023These campaigns relate to equipment compliance, labeling, or tires.
Seats and restraints
2 campaigns · Years: 2022These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.
Electrical
1 campaign · Years: 2022These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
- 22V806000 · Equipment: Video (touch)screen/monitor/unit
Powertrain
1 campaign · Years: 2009–2010These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.
- 09V333000 · Power train: Automatic transmission
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Audi A3 in NHTSA complaint data are Air bags, Power train, Electrical system.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 3 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Vehicle speed control. |
| 2024 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system. |
| 2023 | 2 | 6 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine, Power train. |
| 2022 | 6 | 8 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Back over prevention, Seat belts. |
| 2020 | 3 | 18 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Power train, Electrical system. |
| 2019 | 3 | 14 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Seats. |
| 2018 | 2 | 46 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Electrical system. |
| 2017 | 2 | 70 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system. |
| 2016 | 3 | 108 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Electrical system. |
| 2015 | 2 | 122 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Seat belts. |
| 2013 | 3 | 24 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system. |
| 2012 | 4 | 48 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Exterior lighting. |
| 2011 | 4 | 51 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system. |
| 2010 | 5 | 60 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, diesel, Air bags, Power train. |
| 2009 | 5 | 66 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Power train, Service brakes. |
| 2008 | 3 | 46 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Power train:automatic transmission, Power train. |
| 2007 | 3 | 63 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Power train:automatic transmission, Power train. |
| 2006 | 4 | 140 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Power train, Power train:automatic transmission. |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 2004 | 0 | 7 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting:fog lights, Exterior lighting:headlights, Power train:automatic transmission. |
| 2003 | 0 | 2 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Air bags. |
| 2001 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Air bags , Fuel system and Equipment
Other Audi Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Audi models.
- 100 1989–1994
- 200 1989–1991
- 4000 1981–1987
- 5000 1981–1988
- 80 1988–1991
- 90 1988–1995
- A4 1996–2027
- A4 allroad 2013–2027
- A5 2008–2027
- A6 1995–2027
- A6 allroad 2020–2027
- A7 2012–2025
- A7 e 2021–2022
- A8 1997–2020
- A8 L e 2021–2021
- allroad 2001–2005
- Cabriolet 1992–1998
- Coupe 1990–1991
- e-tron 2019–2023
- e-tron GT 2022–2027
- e-tron Sportback 2020–2022
- Q3 2015–2027
- Q5 2009–2027
- Q5 e 2020–2027
- Q7 2007–2027
- Q8 2019–2027
- R8 2008–2023
- RS 3 2017–2027
- RS 4 2007–2008
- RS 5 2013–2027
- RS 6 2003–2004
- RS 6 Avant 2021–2027
- RS 7 2014–2027
- RS e-tron GT 2022–2027
- RS Q8 2020–2027
- S e-tron GT 2025–2027
- S3 2015–2027
- S4 1992–2027
- S5 2008–2027
- S6 1995–2025
- S7 2013–2025
- S8 2001–2027
- SQ5 2014–2027
- SQ7 2020–2027
- SQ8 2020–2027
- TT 2000–2023
- TT RS 2013–2022
- TTS 2009–2023
- V8 1991–1994
⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.