Audi A3 Reliability Problems

A3 owners have made 47 complaints over 24 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it second to last in overall reliaibility, with significant engine and transmission concerns.

5 Common Audi A3 Problems

A list of some of the most common issues A3 owners have to deal with.

  1. Busted Timing Chains

    Audi's EA888 2.0-liter engine has a history of tensioner problems in its timing chain. The loose chain is to blame for multiple occurances of catastrophic engine failure. Audi was forced to offer settlement offers, including an extended war…

    Continue reading article "Busted Timing Chains" View of engine timing chain

  2. Takata Recalls

    A large number of Audi vehicles have been recalled because they contain dangerous airbag inflators made by Takata. The shrapnel-hurling inflators have been recalled in over 37 million vehicles (and counting).

    Continue reading article "Takata Recalls" Test dummy getting hit by Takata airbag

  3. Sunroof Leaks

    Multiple defects with the sunroof drainage system are causing massive amounts of leak problems for Audi owners. The water is soaking headliners, creating unsafe amounts of condensation, and short circuiting sensitive electronic components. …

    Continue reading article "Sunroof Leaks" Poorly drawn blue box outlining damage made to the headliner from rain leaking in through the sunroof.

  4. Start-Stop Defects

    There are multiple problems with Audi's start-stop technology that outweigh the modest fuel efficiency gains. Owners complain that the system will shut off the power steering and brake systems at dangerous times and cause the accelerat The …

    Continue reading article "Start-Stop Defects" A tachometer with the red arrow pointing at the 'ready' position

  5. Cheating Diesel Emissions

    Audi was caught cheating on its diesel emissions with defeat devices. Twice. It started with the widespread dieselgate story for 2.0L 4-cylinder engines and was followed with a lesser known cheat for vehicles with the ZF 8-speed transmiss…

    Continue reading article "Cheating Diesel Emissions" Cloud of emissions from a tail pipe

What A3 Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

A3 Generations

The A3 has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 3rd generation (2013–2020).

A3 Key Numbers

  1. 47 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 1,250 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 19 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

A3 Class-Action Lawsuits

The A3 has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Dismissed

    Pitts, et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., et al.

    1. Dismissed

      The case was dismissed when a judge ruled Audi's owner's manuals clearly say the Start-Stop system "may turn off the engine before the car comes to a complete stop."

    2. Case Filed

      The lawsuit wanted refunds for the purchase price of the vehicles for class members, plus compensation for overpaying and for loss of values.

    Problem
    Start-Stop Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2017-2020 A3
    • 2017-2020 A4
    • 2017-2020 A5
    • 2017-2020 A6
    • 2017-2020 A7
    • 2017-2020 A8
    • 2017-2020 S3
    • 2017-2020 S4
    • 2017-2020 S6
    • 2017-2020 S8
    • 2017-2020 TT
    • 2017-2020 TTS
    • 2017-2020 Q5
    • 2017-2020 Q7
    • 2017-2020 Q8
    • 2017-2020 SQ5
    Location
    Virginia

  • Dusanjh v. Audi AG, et al.

    1. Case Filed

      The Audi Start-Stop system allegedly requires expensive repairs, car rentals, towing charges, time off work and other costs, while customers allegedly lose money as the vehicles lose their values.

    Problem
    Start-Stop Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2017-2020 A3
    • 2017-2020 A4
    • 2017-2020 A5
    • 2017-2020 A6
    • 2017-2020 A7
    • 2017-2020 A8
    • 2017-2020 S3
    • 2017-2020 S4
    • 2017-2020 S6
    • 2017-2020 S8
    • 2017-2020 Q5
    • 2017-2020 Q7
    • 2017-2020 Q8
    • 2017-2020 SQ5
    • 2017-2020 TT
    • 2017-2020 TTS
    Location
    British Columbia

  • Swinburne, et al., v. Audi of America, Inc., et al.

    1. Case Filed

      Class action lawsuit alleges the systems cause the engines to hesitate, lag and fail to immediately activate when drivers try to accelerate from full or rolling stops.

    Problem
    Start-Stop Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2019-2020 A3
    • 2017-2020 A4
    • 2017-2020 A5
    • 2017-2020 A6
    • 2017-2020 A7
    • 2017-2020 Q3
    • 2017-2020 Q5
    • 2017-2020 Q7
    • 2017-2020 Q8
    Location
    Virginia
  • Settlement

    Coffeng, et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America,  Inc.

    3:17-cv-01825-JD

    1. Settlement

      A VW water pump class action settlement has been reached for these Volkswagen and Audi vehicles equipped with 2-liter EA888 TSI or TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder multi-valve engines with codes CCTA, CAEB, CAED and CBFA.

    2. Case Filed

      The VW water pump class action was filed over the primary engine water pump driven off one of the balance shafts, not the electric auxiliary water pump. According to the lawsuit, the pump consists of the thermoplastic water pump module that includes the water pump, thermostat and integrated sensors.

    Settlement
    Filing deadline is April 29, 2020.
    Class Vehicles
    • 2008-2013 Audi A3
    • 2009-2014 Audi A4
    • 2009-2014 Audi A5
    • 2011-2014 Audi Q5
    • 2012-2014 Audi A6
    • 2009-2014 Audi TT
    Location
    California

  • Cole, et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, et al.

    1. Case Filed

      A VW/Audi sunroof class action lawsuit alleges California customers must cope with leaking sunroofs that cause water damage to carpets, audio systems, electronics and multiple parts of the interiors.

    Problem
    Sunroof Leaks
    Class Vehicles
    • 2016-present A1
    • 2016-present A3
    • 2016-present TT
    • 2016-present Q2
    • 2016-present Q3
    Class Members
    California Residents
    Location
    California

  • Gjonbalaj, et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, et al.

    1. Case Filed

      The sunroof leak lawsuit alleges the sunroofs were defectively designed and manufactured due to their drainage systems and seals. In addition, the automaker allegedly doesn't honor warranties when water leaks occur on these vehicles.

    Problem
    Sunroof Leaks
    Class Vehicles
    • 2015-present A1
    • 2015-present A3
    • 2015-present TT
    • 2015-present Q2
    • 2015-present Q3
    Location
    New York

  • Anzhelya Makaryan, et. al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

    2:2017cv05086

    1. Case Filed

      An Audi timing chain lawsuit alleges Audi and Volkswagen vehicles have defects that cause the timing chains to suddenly fail without warning, causing the engines to fail.

    2. Dismissed

      The case was voluntarily dismissed in November 2017 after a motion to dismiss by Audi was filed earlier that same month.

    Problem
    Start-Stop Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2013-2017 A3
    • 2013-2017 A4
    • 2013-2017 A5
    • 2013-2017 A6
    • 2013-2017 A7
    • 2013-2017 A8
    • 2013-2017 S3
    • 2013-2017 S4
    • 2013-2017 S5
    • 2013-2017 S6
    • 2013-2017 S7
    • 2013-2017 S8
    • 2013-2017 RS 5
    • 2013-2017 RS 7
    • 2013-2017 allroad
    • 2013-2017 Q3
    • 2013-2017 Q5
    • 2013-2017 Q7
    • 2013-2017 SQ5
    • 2013-2017 TT
    • 2013-2017 TTS
    • 2013-2017 TT RS
    • 2013-2017 R8
    Location
    California

Recent A3 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. More than 171,000 Audi sedans have been recalled for shutting off the airbag when there's a passenger in the front seat.

    This should give pause to anyone wanting to call "shotgun" on your next road tripl especially considering this is the second time the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) has been recalled in some of these vehicles over the last couple years. …

    keep reading article "Audi Recalls 171,000 Vehicles for Passenger Airbag System Shutoffs"

  2. Another Audi start-stop lawsuit has been dismissed

    after the judge ruled that the owner's manual clearly states the Start-Stop system may turn off the engine before the car comes to a complete stop. Is that all it takes to win in court? Be prepared for your next owner's manual to say "cars might catch on fire due to thermodynamics" just to cover all the bases.…

    keep reading article "A Judge Just Ruled That Audi's Start-System Operates As Intended"

  5. A Virginia based lawsuit says Audi's start-stop system suffers from defects that cause delayed acceleration or lurching that can put occupants in danger.

    The plaintiffs say that Audi HQ and dealerships will just tell owners to deactivate the start-stop system if they don't like it, but the system starts up automatically each time the ignition is pressed and must be manually deactivated by pressing a separate burden. Something the case refers to as a inconvenience and mandatory burden that is not disclosed to the Class Members ar the time of the sale.…

    keep reading article "Another Audi Start-Stop Lawsuit Says the Technology Causes Dangerous Acceleration Delays"

  6. The lead plaintiff in a proposed leaky sunroof class-action has requested a voluntary dismissal of the entire case, without prejudice.

    This is New Jersey we're talking about here, so it's not out of bounds to think the plaintiff was told "that's a nice car you've got there, it'd be a shame if something happened to it." Or maybe they just a free fix under the table and that was good enough for them.…

    keep reading article "Audi Sunroof Lawsuit Suddenly Dropped by Lead Plaintiff 🤔"

  8. There's a serious defect with VW Group's panomaric sunroofs. So a class-action lawsuits wants to know when are they going to do something about it?

    The NJ based suit says a difference in the expansion rate between the plastic water channels and steel reinforcement plates may cause stress cracks to occur at the edges of the reinforcement plates, more than wide enough to let water seep in.…

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Claims Audi's Sunroofs Have Defective Drainage Systems"

See All A3 News

What Owners Say About Their A3

Audi Thinks Excessive Oil Consumption is Fine

The dealer told me that everything is fine on my car and just topped off the oil. After 3 weeks I checked the oil level with the dipstick, the car has already used 1/3 of the oil. I drove the car back to the dealer again (it has already been 4 times!). They told me that the low oil light was not on, the car is fine.

2015 A3 Owner in IL

Other Audi Models