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Research · Subcompact Cars

2015 Audi A3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 180 owner complaints for the 2015 Audi A3. Most complaints involve air bags (83) and electrical system (25). The EPA rates it 26–35 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
26–35mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Feb 2024
Owner complaints
180
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Feb 14, 2024NHTSA 24V110000

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Mar 22, 2021NHTSA 21V198000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

180 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2014 – Sep 2026
  1. Air bags83
  2. Electrical system25
  3. Fuel/propulsion system22
  4. Engine18
  5. Fuel system, gasoline16
  6. Seat belts12
  7. Power train10
  8. Seats10
  9. Exterior lighting6

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
1
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

83 reports
“For recall 21V198-69BY, I took my car to Audi of Birmingham on recall. They provided me a service form to show the repair had been made, but my passenger side air bag off light is still on because they didn't make the repair. It wasn't brought to my attention until I took my car for another repair job and the didn't make that repair, either.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2025Air bagsODI 11666282

Electrical system

25 reports1 crash
“Smelt like something was burning and the smell was coming out of vents. Looked online and found that people have been having issues with the auxiliary heater for the HVAC to help the car warm up faster. I check mine and found that the connector was staring to melt. Seems like it could be a potential fire hazard if not caught soon enough.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2025Electrical systemODI 11702870

Fuel/propulsion system

22 reports
“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 unable to afford this repair and questioned why the fuel tank needed replacement. Audi subsequently performed the suction jet pump recall repair in August 2024. However, the fuel problem did not resolve. After the recall repair, I was told the vehicle continued to spill fuel during testing and that the only solution was still replacement of the fuel tank. I was allowed to drive the vehicle home with approximately one gallon of fuel, after which it remained inoperable for approximately two years. In XXX, an independent repair facility inspected the vehicle. The original fuel tank was NOT replaced. Instead, the facility removed the fuel tank to access and replace the suction jet pump and related components. The vehicle was restored to normal operation, and since that repair there have been no fuel leaks, fuel spilling,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11757884
All 2015 A3 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel · 1.8L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel · 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 (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
314135$2,700292
A3 Cabriolet
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243528$2,850314
A3
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
233327$2,950328
A3 quattro
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
243327$2,950323
A3 Cabriolet quattro
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
233226$3,050334
  • A3
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo
    31 city · 41 hwy · $2,700/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • A3 Cabriolet
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    24 city · 35 hwy · $2,850/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • A3
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,950/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • A3 quattro
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,950/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • A3 Cabriolet quattro
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 32 hwy · $3,050/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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

4 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Audi A3 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Audi A3 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 9408Vehicle 9406Vehicle 9405
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

2015 A3 questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Audi A3 have?

2 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 2015 Audi A3 problems?

Owners filed 180 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (83), electrical system (25), fuel/propulsion system (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Audi A3 get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Audi A3 at 26–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Audi A3?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Audi A3 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026