Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Audi A3 problems
Owners filed 43 complaints about the 2012 Audi A3 with NHTSA between Jul 2013 and Jun 2022. The most-cited component is air bags (31).
Complaints
43
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags31
- Electrical system6
- Exterior lighting5
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
1
5
13
12
7
2
0
0
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
31 reports1 crash3 related recalls
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUDI CARLSBAD (5425 PASEO DEL NORTE, CARLSBAD, CA 92008, (760) 438-9490) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Electrical system
6 reports2 fires
“1.CAR SLIPS ON WET SNOW WHEN APPLYING BRAKES WITH BRAKE ASSIST ON 2. 30 AMP FUSE FOR RIGHT SIDE CONTROL MODULE BLOWS OFF EVERY WEEK AFTER REPLACING TO A BLACK CHAR”
Exterior lighting
5 reports2 fires
“The tail light bulbs melts plastic and can cause fire. My light indicator came on. When I checked the bulb, the internal structure was melted. I ordered exact model from a junk yard. When I received, I noticed it had the same issue and the internal structure was melting from heat of light bulb. Both Left and Right Tail light structures were melting. Potential fire hazard.”
Fuel/propulsion system
4 reports
“CARBON BUILDUP ON FUEL INJECTORS AFTER 60K, DEALERSHIP IS DENYING EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. IT'S COMMON ISSUE WITH DI ENGINES, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE.”
Electronic stability control (esc)
1 report
Service brakes, hydraulic
1 report
“CPSC: I1360446A. 2012 AUDI A3 WAGON. CONSUMER STATED THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKES ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. ALSO STATES CANNOT GET FOOT OFF GAS WITHOUT GETTING CAUGHT ON THE BRAKE IF IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *LN”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.