Research · Small Station Wagons

2007 Audi A3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 52 owner complaints for the 2007 Audi A3. Most complaints involve air bags (32) and power train (16). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jan 2018
Owner complaints
52
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 30, 2018NHTSA 18V082000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2016NHTSA 16V079000

Fuel system

Free remedy

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 AUDI A3, TT, AND TT ROADSTER PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 AND AUGUST 26, 2009. THE CLOSING FORCE OF AN INTERNAL SPRING OF THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE VALVE CLOSED UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Sep 30, 2009NHTSA 09V377000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

52 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2007 – Jul 2020
  1. Air bags32
  2. Power train16
  3. Engine4
  4. Suspension2
  5. Vehicle speed control2
  6. Tires2
  7. Steering1
  8. Fuel/propulsion system1
  9. Electrical system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each A3 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2006123
200752
200843
200948
201050
201142
201243
201320
2015180
2016114
201763
201844
201912
202017
20242
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

32 reports
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER CONTACTING MCKENNA AUDI (10850 FIRESTONE BLVD, NORWALK, CA), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 25, 2019Air bagsODI 11203631

Power train

16 reports
“MY CAR STALD ON ME AT A SHOPPING CENTER LOCATED ON 32ND STREET NORTH OF MCDOWELL RD IN PHOENIX,AZ. IT ANTI LOCKED ON ME AND WAS NOT ABLE TO START VEHICLE. DUE TO THIS MY CAR WAS TOWED FROM ESTABLISHMENT TO A TOW GARAGE AND IS STILL THIER. IM UNABLE TO TAKE IT OUT DUE TO I DONT HAVE THE AMOUNT TO PAY IT DUE TO I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND I DONT HAVE A JOB AT MOMENT AND I RECIEVE UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE CAR I STILL OWE TO CAR COMPANY CALLED SECOND CHANCE AUTO SALES LOCATED ON 34THST AND VAN BUREN IN PHOENIX ARIZONA AND FROM MY UNDRRSTANDING THIS VEHICLE HAS 3 RECALL ISSUES THAT I WASNT AWARE OF. MY VEHICLE STARTED ACTING WIERD PRIOR TO INCIDENT BUT NO MECHANIC WANTED TO LOOK AT IT AND I REQUESTED HELP FROM THE COMPANY OWN MECHANIC AND HE TOO NEVER HELPED ME OUT. I HAVE ALL INFO AND PHONE NUMBERS WHERE TO REACH COMPANY'S REGSRDS TO THIS SITUATION.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2020Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 11341408

Engine

4 reports
“CAR STALLED WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY! WOULD NOT RESTART. BROKEN CAM CHAIN!!!!! VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AT THIS POINT!!!!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2018Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11120799
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A3
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$3,200355
A3
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$3,300370
A3 quattro
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182521$3,800423
  • A3
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • A3
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • A3 quattro
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Audi A3 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 2290
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2007 A3 questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Audi A3 have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Audi A3 problems?

Owners filed 52 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (32), power train (16), engine (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Audi A3 get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Audi A3 at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026