The 2013 Audi A3 has 3 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (10 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints20filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 19V862000 · Dec 4, 2019 · 226 vehicles
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. 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 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 18V082000 · Jan 30, 2018 · 162,782 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 16V079000 · Feb 10, 2016 · 151,767 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2013 Audi A3 4 DR AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2013 Audi A3 4 DR FWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
A3 Diesel
32mpg combined
City / highway
29 / 37 mpg
Fuel
Diesel
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,000/year to fuel
A3
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel
A3
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel
A3 quattro
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags
10
0
0
0
—
Engine
3
0
0
0
2,300 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
3
0
0
0
5,111 mi
Power train
2
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
2
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, diesel
1
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
1
0
0
0
—
Visibility Sun/moon roof assembly
1
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting
1
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Mar 16, 2026 · 128,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Exhaust system The contact owns a 2013 Audi A3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly went into LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the glow plugs failed to function and became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to several dealers, where it was diagnosed with exhaust system failure. The contact was informed that the exhaust system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
Apr 29, 2022Power train Car stalled in fast moving traffic, and then lurched forward. In the stall the car behind me almost ran into me. In the lurch, I almost rear ended someone. Fortunate that both times there was no collision. Took the vehicle to Audi and the car has been diagnosed with failed mechatronic - a $4,000 repair. It was shared that this is a known issue with Audi for my model year (faulty mechatronic), and as such has been recalled in several countries, but not the US. I called Audi USA and was informed that yes it is a known issue and has been recalled in other countries, but that NHTSA has not required Audi USA to open a recall here, and so they can't help me. I'm asking for some assistance. Thank…
Jan 18, 2020 · 58,800 milesExterior lighting INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH EXTERIOR LIGHTING. I ALREADY REPLACED ONE OF THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS (NOT A BULB ISSUE) AND AM NOW EXPERIENCING REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT ISSUES WHERE THE TAIL LIGHT AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL CEASE WORKING DURING THE DRIVING PROCESS AND THEN START WORKING AT RANDOM. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SIMILAR ELECTRICAL ISSUE LIKE THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT. THE TAIL LIGHT & DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL FAILURE ARE DANGEROUS AS THE FAILURES OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN.
Sep 30, 2019 · 69,500 milesEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI TEMECULA (40955 TEMECULA CENTER DR, TEMECULA, CA 92591, (951) 200-8100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DPS FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 190810653. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,500.
Dec 7, 2018 · 50,000 milesAir bags TAKATA RECALL - DEALER INFORMED ME THE RECALL PART HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE FOR 1 YEAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE UNAVAILABLE FOR AN ADDITIONAL 2 - 6 MONTHS. NO RECALL MAINTENCE IS ABLE TO BE SCHEDULED. THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL IS DEATH TO THE DRIVER. UNACCEPTABLE.
Feb 12, 2018Air bags TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V084000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (AUDI MINNEAPOLIS, 9393 WYZATA BLVD, GOLDEN VALLEY, MN 55426) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
May 1, 2018Air bags TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ROYAL AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (1525 HOWARD STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, (415) 241-8100) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Dec 31, 2017 · 31,000 milesAir bags TAKATA INFLATOR REPLACEMENT ISSUE ON 12/31/2017 I WAS DRIVING IN LOS ANGELES UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A HISSING NOISE AND SOME KIND OF PARTICULATE MATTER SPEWED FROM AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN WHERE THERE IS A JOIN WITH THE WHEEL. THIS WAS DIRECTED AT MY FACE FOR 10-15 SECONDS WHICH I BREATHED IN AS I WAS DRIVING. I AM ALSO "CONCERNED" ABOUT THE NATURE AND CONTENTS OF THE PARTICULATE MATTER, AND, THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AN ACCIDENT OR THAT IT MIGHT INFLATE WITHOUT ANY REASON OF ITS OWN ACCORD. *TT *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.