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Vehicle safety record

2017 Audi A3 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2017 Audi A3 with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (15) and the fuel system (10). It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in February 2024 for the fuel system, gasoline. For comparison, the 2016 has 115 and the 2018 has 44.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical A3 year, for its age

#141 most complained-about 2017 vehicle

Complaints
36
Recalls
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2017 Audi A3 problems

Share of all 36 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2017 Audi A3 recalls 2

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Fuel system

24V110000261,257 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
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.

Air bags: front passenger

21V198000153,152 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix
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.

What owners say

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36 complaints about the 2017 Audi A3

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Electrical system

The Vehicle Electrical System Control Module J519 had a fault that prevented using many vehicle functions - no interior lights, no heated seats, dashboard and navigation screen too dim to read in daylight.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11638367
Transmission & drivetrain

Car throws P2884 and the internal combustion motor will not start. The issue is gone into detail here: [[redacted]] recommendation is swapping out mechatronic unit for the upgraded unit. Since the unit is prone to failure this really should be a recall. It happens on all cars 2016/2017 years right around 60k miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11637424
AirbagsDriver assistance

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 sensors going off or the car telling me some assists were malfunctioning in heavy rain or when the car is dirty

Filed Incident Air bags · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11631547
Electrical systemLights

The passenger side break light and signal stop working occasionally. I took it to a certified Audi service center, and they were able to fix the issue but reported that the central wire system that makes the break light and signal work are defective and that the issue will continue given that the cables may move every time I close and open and close my truck as the cables run through there. This is a mayor safety issue.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11580639
Body, doors & structure

Panoramic sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving under normal conditions. This happened while I was driving on a freeway. Luckily I maintained my composure and safely drove home with broken glass all over myself. My car insurance paid for most of my sunroof replacement. There was no symptoms or warnings prior to this incident.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11576387
Fuel system

The vehicle cabin started to smell like gas and the car would not accept fuel into the tank. Took to Audi/VW independent repair shop where they indicated fuel jet pump in gas tank was not working properly and that it had flooded various components with fuel (charcoal cannister, etc.). Directed us not to drive as it was a fire danger and said that we should send to Audi to see if they would cover this under warranty as it was a major emissions and safety problem. Towed to Audi dealer in Dallas. Dallas Audi...

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dealer indicated this sounded like exactly what had happened for a recall issued for 2016 A3s. I learned this was subject to a warranty extension. Am working with the dealer who is trying to determine if that applies. Regardless, this is my daughter's car and a fuel leak with fumes in the cabin is a danger that should be fixed by recall.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11561079
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFuel system

The high voltage battery no longer charges to full. Only 7 out of 8 possible indicator bars are illuminated, the car now only shows 17-20 miles available. When I purchased the car 3 years ago, it showed 28-29 miles available. Car was at Audi dealership, got tested, Audi says it's within tolerance. I disagree, 30% to 40% of the capacity is lost so far. There are many more owners that are reporting the same issue on the Facebook Audi A3 group.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11560571
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemAirbags

"Transmission Malfunction/no reverse gear. Okay to continue driving" comes on constantly the past 2 years now. I've only had this vehicle 3 years. Yes , it is available for inspection. This puts my safety and the safety of my other passengers at risk because my vehicle will abruptly slow down in fast flowing traffic and it will uncontrollably accelerate when it's time to come to complete stops. A local mechanic used a sensor to check for faulty defects and confirmed that my transmission is having sensor issues....

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There has never been any warning lamps , regarding this problem. There have been no prior warning messages regarding this issue. I purchased this vehicle from Audi Dealership in Van Nuys, CA in November 2020. I have had this vehicle less than 3 years & as of now , it has less than 35,000 miles on it.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 11538951
Transmission & drivetrain

This concerns a recall issued. Audi issued a recall/reimbursement for transmission failure. Mine failed. Car stopped in the middle of roadway. I had transmission repaired before recall was issued. I have attempeted reimbursement and am denied by audi due to my vehicle being a theft recovery. However they have performed multiple recalls on this vehicle since I have owned it with the theft recovery title. They also performed the transmission reprogram after I had it fixed at no charge. NHSTA itself states...

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salvage/rebuilt title is no reason for not performing a recall except in exceptional circumstances when car is no longer drivable. I am asking for help in getting audi to honor the recall. Had I been on the highway I would have been smashed when the car shut down.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11534031
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise control

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...

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clear when driving the vehicle again. The mechanic informed me the transmission was not the issue but the mechatronic system had failed due to a faulty part. The mechanic said the issue could be repaired but would likely occur again as Audi as a history of faulty mechatronic systems. The mechanic called an Audi dealership who stated Audi's mechatronic control unite has not yet resolved the root cause failure at factory level, meaning all replacements and repair kit components still have the underlying defects that will cause malfunction, usually outside the short one-year manufacturer warranty. I believe Audi manufacturer knows their cars still have a defective part hence why an extended warranty on the mechatronic system is offered. Also, Audi vehicles made in 2016 were recalled due to a defective mechatronic system. My vehicle was made in early 2017. I called the Audi dealership to make them aware of the safety and they ignored me, and tried to sell me another vehicle. This is my second safety issue with Audi vehicles, the first being an expulsion safety issue. There is no way I am purchasing another Audi.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11502272
Transmission & drivetrainFuel system

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...

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intermittently happening then became more constant. Finally towed to Audi dealer they are not 100% but they say a new transmission is needed. After seeing complaints of similar situation I think this should be a recall on the transmission for these cars.

Filed Incident Power train · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11488888
Electrical systemAirbags

Passenger air bag light intermittently comes on after starts. Car has been showing exact symptoms from the PODS recall since I bought it in May, and I've tried to have this fixed by 3 separate Audi dealerships, and none of them have been able to fix it. At this point, this recall has now been active for over a year and a half, and I think it is absolutely ridiculous to have a non-functioning passenger seat in a "practical" hatchback. Thus, at this point, I would like to escalate this further and potentially fight...

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for a buyback, as this is a recall that both devalues the car AND puts my passenger (and potentially myself, as this one fault has most likely disabled the entire SRS; granted I don't want to find out for myself) at risk. The "no-passenger" fix would have worked for 30-ish days while Audi worked for a fix, but 1.5 years is ABSOLUTELY UNREASONABLE and totally ridiculous for a $50,000+-MSRP luxury vehicle from the Volkswagen Audi Group.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 11487560
Fuel system

Was trying to fill up my car at the gas station. The car would not accept any fuel. Frustrated, I went to try another gas station. Same thing happened. Went home to check and see what the problem was and gas started spewing out of the gas tank from where you fill it up with gas. Car (to my knowledge) has never been overfilled, by me. This is apparently a problem with the 2017 VW golf's as well (which run on the same platform as my Audi A3). It is a problem that most people are saying could be the Charcoal canister prematurely dying, or a suction pump dying, which is supposed to last the lifetime of the vehicle.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11483625
Engine & cooling

Car has constant pedal sensor issue. Audi is refusing to look at the car because the car keeps stating it has fixed the issue. This has become quite a problem for my family the car will abruptly stopped while driving and stay stuck in 2nd gear. Once the car sits it will resets, it will then drive normal but after a certain amount of miles it will do the same thing again.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11478698
Fuel system

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...

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opinion, the check engine light surface. I then stopped at the gas station to put gas in the vehicle, but the vehicle would not take fuel even though After the fuel pump repair, the car was still misfiring and gas was still leaking from the rear of the vehicle and gas fumes would be smelled from inside the car. The charcoal canister of the vehicle was changed with OEM parts. The vehicle's sending units were pulled and the fuel level was tested. The vehicle's Leak Defection Pump was then inspected for the fuel intrusion and were not obstructed. The vehicle again began leaking fuel. The purge and vent valves of the vehicle were working properly and the vent filter was wet with fuel. The fuel was being pushed into the charcoal canister from an internal valving issue inside the fuel tank. The independent mechanic then called an authorized Audi dealership who acknowledged similar problems in Audi vehicles. The authorized Audi dealership deemed the car unsafe to drive and suggested that the independent mechanic park the vehicle outside of the mechanic shop because a simply spark could cause the vehicle to easily caught on fire. Audi also acknowledged that there are no available parts for the car as all of them are on indefinitely on backorder. The car is not only an emission issue but also a safety issue with not feasible solution. Furthermore, I live in Texas during an unpredictable drought, even the weather could cause the vehicle to spontaneously combust in flames.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11470122
Airbags

Sensor in seat, has illuminated airbag light on dash and says airbag is off for passenger, sest belt light is illuminated even though no one is sitting in the seat, have to have sent belt clipped in to have warning light stop chiming Have contacted dealership and they say there is nothing they can do about it, also called audi USA and had the issue escalated and haven't heard from anyone at all amd its been over a week.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11469068
Engine & cooling

The thermostat housing on the 2.0t ea888 gen 3 engines keeps leaking after being replaced, VW has made multiple revisions and it still leaks I'm only at 41k miles.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11457524
Engine & cooling

This is the second failed (1/1/2022) camshaft position sensor on separate cylinder (#4), p/n 06E-103-697-AE. First one failed 3/05/2021. There are 8 of these adjusters on the particular engine. I have asked the dealer to retain the part. Safety is related to engine operation...malfunction indicator light is lit and vehicle/engine fails emissions inspection. Problem has been confirmed by dealer, Audi Silver Spring, MD. Vehicle is being repaired by Audi dealer at my cost. Second time $500. Yes, engine malfunction indicator light is on and vehicle fails emission inspection.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11446289
Other & unknown

Sunroof exploded while driving. All windows and sunroof closed also sunscreen was closed. I heard a terrifying loud explosion then I heard all the glass shattering and falling on the sunscreen. I pulled over and called police because I thought it was a gunshot. But no evidence of a gunshot, rock, bird or object. Sunscreen is intact. It was on Christmas day so was not a hot day and no heater turned on at the time.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11445248
AirbagsSeats & seat belts

The front-passenger airbag deactivated while my father was riding in the car and the corresponding warning light came on. The error first occurred prior to the Mar 2021 Recall. I notified Audi multiple times that my vehicle had this problem, but Audi has not repaired it or offered me an alternative option.

Filed Incident Air bags · SeatsNHTSA 11440855
Airbags

Hello, My vehicle has a non working passenger seat airbag due to a malfunctioning PODS (Passenger Occupant Detection Sensor). Audi states that such cannot be fixed as a fix has not yet been approved. It has been seven months since this recall has been issued and I am afraid to carry passengers in my vehicle due to the non-functioning airbag. How can I have my vehicle repaired on an expeditious fashion? Thank you, Dealership says the recall has been placed on hold due to no parts being available.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11439184
Fuel system

Vehicle tank was almost empty. Was unable to fill the tank because the gas station pump stopped constantly without being full. Took 15 minutes to fill the tank. Fuel came out of my tank and a very unpleasant fuel odor came into the car. When arrived home gasoline came out of the tank again, a significant amount of fuel came out. Fortunately the car didn't catch fire. Took it to a mechanic and the gasoline pump valve was replaced. This valve is under the rear seats. No recall available for my car for this issue. I was told that VW/AUDI knows well about this issue but they didn't include all VIN numbers on this recall. I ended paying $140 for this repair.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11435173
AirbagsDriver assistance

There has been an open recall on my car since March 2021 (NHTSA recall number 21V198) which prevents the passenger airbag from functioning properly. Because the airbag isn't working it also disables my forward collision assistance. It took Audi 2 months to mail notice of the recall and 6 months later there is still no remedy or timeframe for a remedy. A recall affecting an airbag should not linger for 6 months. I can't, in good conscience, have someone ride in the passenger seat of my car, and having this recall...

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unfixed has tanked the re-sell value of my car. Having a recall outstanding for half a year with no communication from the manufacturer on a timeframe is completely unacceptable. Doesn't the manufacturer have a burden to fix a serious passenger safety issue within a reasonable amount of time? What happens if Audi never develops a fix?

Filed Incident Air bags · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11433203
Airbags

Passenger airbag sporadically turns off, and constantly shows the seat belt unfastened (unclear if something is wrong with its functionality also). This also turned off the Audi presense/ auto stop feature at the same time. When I told Audi this at the dealership, they said they had no solution other than 'don't sit in the passenger seat', and had no idea when it might end

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11432222
Electrical systemAirbags

Tied to recall 69BY Dealership continues to say parts are not available.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 11418885

Audi A3: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
202016310AirbagsC
201912300AirbagsB
201844210AirbagsD
201736200AirbagsC
2016115334AirbagsF
2015180210AirbagsF
201320300AirbagsB
All A3 years

2017 Audi A3 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2017 Audi A3

Does the 2017 Audi A3 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2017 Audi A3: fuel system, gasoline (February 2024); front passenger (March 2021). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Audi A3?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (15), fuel system (10), electrical system (10).

How many complaints has the 2017 Audi A3 had?

36 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on December 20, 2019 and the latest on January 24, 2025. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2017 Audi A3 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Audi A3 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Audi A3 years have the most complaints?

2015 (180), 2006 (123), 2016 (115). See every Audi A3 year compared.

What should I do if my 2017 Audi A3 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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