Audi A3 — Years to Avoid
Which model years have the most problems and which are safe to buy.
Avoid These Years
2015 Audi A3
131 complaints (279% of segment average)
Main issue: THERE WAS RECENTLY A PODS RECALL FOR THE WIRING HARNESS GOING TO THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR THE RECALL DID NOT FIX THE ISSUES FOR MANY PEOPLE. CAR WILL RANDOMLY THINK SOMEONE IS SETTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND ACTIVATE AIRBAG AND CAUSE THE SEATBELT LIGHT TO CHIME CONSTANTLY WHILE DRIVING CAUSIN
2016 Audi A3
113 complaints (240% of segment average)
Main issue: I HAD THE SEAT POD RECALL REPAIR MADE ON MY CAR AND THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE INDICATOR GOING OFF AND A NOTICE ON THE DASH OF "AUDI PRE-SENSE: SYSTEM FAULT!" NOTICE. IN OTHER WORDS, THE PROBLEM OF A FAULTY AIRBAG CONNECTOR WIRE WAS NOT SOLVED BY A WIRE REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE SE
2017 Audi A3
75 complaints (160% of segment average)
Main issue: 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 SEN
2010 Audi A3
60 complaints (128% of segment average)
Main issue: 2010 AUDI A-3 TDI (DIESEL) STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. WILL NOT START. TOWED TO STEVENS CREEK AUDI, CA. *TR
Safe to Buy
2025 Audi A3
5 complaints — well below segment average
2023 Audi A3
10 complaints — well below segment average
2022 Audi A3
12 complaints — well below segment average
2019 Audi A3
15 complaints — well below segment average
2020 Audi A3
19 complaints — well below segment average
2013 Audi A3
25 complaints — well below segment average