2015 Audi A3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (23) · Electrical System (12) · Fuel/Propulsion System (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi A3 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
36 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline 2024-02-14 · campaign 24V110000 · 261,257 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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 re
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger 2021-03-22 · campaign 21V198000 · 153,152 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
Service bulletins (596)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-22 · TSB_2020552_15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · TSB_2030471_9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SM 39-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Showing the 6 most recent of 596 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the audi has problems filling fuel, it doesn't allow you to put any gallon of gasoline, the gasoline gun jumps, i don't know what's going on.…”
2026-09-08 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 94,242 mi“the contact owns a 2015 audi a3. the contact stated that the dealer had previously repaired the vehicle under nhtsa campaign number: 24v110000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the vehicle was not driven until a year later after the recall repair due to medical issues. the contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, fuel was backing up in the …”
2026-08-19 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my 2015 audi a3 was subject to a fuel suction jet pump safety recall. before the recall repair was available, the vehicle developed a fuel leak and fuel-spilling problem. audi inspected the vehicle in xxx and documented that its tech line advised replacing the fuel tank and all attaching components, with a quoted cost of approximately $5,730. i was…”
2026-08-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i have an appointment at audi of richmond on wednesday 08/19/26 and was told to have the car there on tuesday the day before the appointment to fix the recalls. i called audi usa roadside assistance and also the actual dealership about a complimentary tow based of the fact the reason it stop driving was because of one of the recalls. they said they…”
2026-06-03 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 75,000 mi“the contact owns 2015 audi a3. the contact stated while parked and when attempting to input fuel into the vehicle the fuel hose sprayed fuel into the contact's clothing and shoes and began to leak under the vehicle near the rear tires. an independent mechanic was contacted. the contact mention the failure has occurred on several different occasions…”
2026-06-02 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 134,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 audi a3. the contact stated that when filling the fuel tank, fuel leaks out of the vehicle. the failure would occur as soon as the contact filled the tank with about $ 3 worth of fuel. the contact recalled that previously, they struggled to open the fuel cap. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, diagnosed that the suction pu…”
2026-04-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the jet fuel pump is on the recall list for front wheel drive audi a 3 cars - they are only including vin numbers for that type of car - mine is all wheel drive and even though i have the same faulty part in my car they will not take responsibility for it - which is why there is a class action law suit against audi america now - so i am filing all …”
2026-03-09 · Unknown Or Other“blown turbo with propeller broken off lodged into the pre-catalytic converter, which caused damage to the catalytic converter/exhaust requiring a new turbo and a complete new catalytic converter and exhaust system. they also found major oil leaking from the upper timing cover gaskets, which i later found documented on the accounting service record …”
2026-02-10 · Unknown Or Other“safty issue with standard equipment, backup camera stopped working. safty feature now unavailable. told by dealer that it's a common issue. will fail massachusetts inspection because the camera is standard safety equipment. told i need a new 5f module and they are back ordered at audi which tells me it's a major problem since they can't supply…”
2026-01-16 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 65,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 audi a3. the contact stated that on several occasions, while adding fuel to the vehicle, there was a clicking sound before the fuel started spilling onto the ground from the filler neck. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the dealer stated that the failure might be associated with a breather issue within the…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.