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Vehicle safety record

2019 Audi A3 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2019 Audi A3 with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (7) and the seats & seat belts (3). It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in February 2024 for the fuel system, gasoline. For comparison, the 2018 has 44 and the 2020 has 16.

NHTSA data checked

BFewer problems than a typical A3 year, for its age

#184 most complained-about 2019 vehicle

Complaints
12
Recalls
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2019 Audi A3 problems

Share of all 12 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2019 Audi A3 recalls 3

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.

Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems

22V815000296,044 vehicles affected

The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
The risk
An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.

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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12 complaints about the 2019 Audi A3

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2019 Audi A3. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH for a 50-mile trip, the message "Transmission Failure" displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The transmission then inadvertently switched from automatic to manual transmission mode and became stuck in second gear. Additionally, the vehicle jerked and decelerated to 35 MPH while driving. The contact activated the hazard lights before pulling over to the right shoulder to turn off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted,...

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but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel very quickly. The contact was able to drive to the destination. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who retrieved DTC: P173500 (Electrical Malfunction with the Position Sensor for Clutch 1 in the Transmission). The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, but no cause for the failure was found. The contact then drove the vehicle for a long distance at high speeds and was able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who determined that the mechatronic hardware, DSG transmission cover, gasket, and fluid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 2058504/1 (Transmission malfunction, DTC P173500 and/or P173600 stored in the TCM). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the Technical Service Bulletin. The failure mileage was approximately 34,500.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11703985
Lights

The headlight assembly failed and manufacturer accepts no responsibility and quoted astronomical repair cost. This should not have been an issue with such new components. I've seen many vehicles like mine with the same problem.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11634359
Fuel system

My vehicle stalls while driving twice in a row several times a week. Check engine code P0148 indicating a fuel system error. Took my vehicle to the Audi Dealership but because my husband had cleared the code, nothing could be done. My vehicle stalling multiple times in a row, several times a week not only poses a safety risk to myself as the driver, but my passengers and other vehicles on the road. I am requesting an investigation into the faulty fuel systems of the 2019 Audi A3.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11510142
AirbagsSeats & seat belts

Audi has stated there are no parts available to address the PODS recall 21V198 since March 2021. My dealership sold my vehicle to me at the end of my lease without having addressed this safety recall.

Filed Incident Air bags · SeatsNHTSA 11480136
AirbagsSeats & seat belts

UNKNOWN

Filed Incident Air bags · Seat beltsNHTSA 11463885
Airbags

The contact leased a 2019 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. Additionally, the contact called a second dealer, Audi Pembroke Pines (15000 Sheridan St, Pembroke Pines, FL 33331) and a third dealer, The Collection Audi (200 Bird Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33146) who also confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the...

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manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that they would follow up with her. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11455718
Airbags

The contact owns a 2019 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the dealer confirmed that only five parts were received per week. The contact was informed that she could not be added to the waiting list. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but was unable to confirm when...

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parts would be available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated indicating that the passenger's side air bag had failed. Additionally, the sensors had started to malfunction. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11447339
Airbags

The contact leased a 2019 Audi A3. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag warning light had failed to operate as needed. The contact then received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11434696
Electrical systemAirbagsSeats & seat belts

I was driving my car with my friend in the passenger seat. All of a sudden car started made a beeping sound and my dashboard said something about safety feature being turned off/limited. Also the passenger airbag off light turned on even when the passenger seat was occupied. The vehicle was already in motion. This created an unsafe situation as passenger airbag was off when it should not have been. The passenger occupant detection system (pods) detected a malfunction and switch off the passenger airbag even though...

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the seat was be occupied. I reached out to audi regarding this and they said that since the repair is not available yet I will have to wait. The nhtsa recall number for this issue is 21v198. The manufacturer recall number is 69by. I have attached the latest video of this situation. If you look at the video it shows that the passenger seat is occupied and still the passenger airbag off light is on. This is the 3rd occurrence of this issue. I use my car daily and since the repair is not available yet this makes my car unsafe on the road.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · SeatsNHTSA 11416083
Visibility & wipers

I purchased a 2019 audi a3 on january 18, 2021 (vin [[redacted]]) from audi denver. I replaced the windshield 2/19/2021, was told the windshield had been replaced at least once before (2/2020 at the dealership) and 2 weeks after replacing the windshield, have a new crack that is quickly spreading. 4 Unrepairable windshields with only 11k miles on the vehicle? Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11398794
Fuel system

I was driving on nj turnpike on a 75 mile trip back home and after into 55 miles of the trip, the vehicle completely lost power.. I was going about 65 miles or so and it was extremely scary and dangerous. With the grace of god, I was able to use the momentum to make it to a side lane between the travel lanes and merge lane off of the ramp, the are car lost so much power and trying to maneuvering around traffic that I was not even able to make it to the safety side lane. The car has to be towed to the exit. ...

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Audi took it to their local dealer. The car is a 2019 model with 12946 miles on the odometer. The vehicle was towed to audi dealer in freehold nj and I understand from the tow driver that day before same make and model, year of another similar vehicle with the exact same problem has been towed to audi in edison nj. *Tr

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11327937
Airbags

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2019 audi a3. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v474000 (air bags). The contact called an unknown dealer and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was contacted and did not know when the part would be available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11251937

Audi A3: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20230200-A
20220600-C
202016310AirbagsC
201912300AirbagsB
201844210AirbagsD
201736200AirbagsC
2016115334AirbagsF
2015180210AirbagsF
All A3 years

2019 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 2019 Audi A3

Does the 2019 Audi A3 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Audi A3: fuel system, gasoline (February 2024); pressure monitoring and regulating systems (October 2022); 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 2019 Audi A3?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (7), seats & seat belts (3), fuel system (2).

How many complaints has the 2019 Audi A3 had?

12 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 28, 2019 and the latest on December 9, 2025. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2019 Audi A3 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 67 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than 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 2019 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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