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Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2017 Audi A3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 63 owner complaints for the 2017 Audi A3. Most complaints involve air bags (28) and electrical system (12). The EPA rates it 25–34 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–34mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Feb 2024
Owner complaints
63
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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

Air bags: occupant classification

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.

Air bagsReported Jun 19, 2019NHTSA 19V474000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

63 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2017 – Jan 2025
  1. Air bags28
  2. Electrical system12
  3. Engine12
  4. Fuel/propulsion system11
  5. Power train9
  6. Seat belts4
  7. Seats3
  8. Forward collision avoidance2
  9. Fuel system, gasoline2

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

28 reports
“Passenger airbags, and emergency braking have been failing, i would have to be aware in advance if my vehicle needs to be checked, my safety and my passengers safety is in danger because incase i need to brake quickly but dont have the reaction time to do so i will crash since emergency brake doesnt work, and my passengers would be at high risk because of failing airbags, im unsure if the problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, the problem has not yet been inspected there were other symptoms like my sensors going off or the car telling me some assists were malfunctioning in heavy rain or when the car is dirty”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 19, 2024Air bags, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11631547

Electrical system

12 reports
“The Vehicle Electrical System Control Module J519 had a fault that prevented using many vehicle functions - no interior lights, no heated seats, dashboard and navigation screen too dim to read in daylight.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2025Electrical systemODI 11638367

Engine

12 reports
“Car has constant pedal sensor issue. Audi is refusing to look at the car because the car keeps stating it has fixed the issue. This has become quite a problem for my family the car will abruptly stopped while driving and stay stuck in 2nd gear. Once the car sits it will resets, it will then drive normal but after a certain amount of miles it will do the same thing again.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2022EngineODI 11478698
All 2017 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
Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S6) · Automatic (AM-S7)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline · Regular Gasoline
EV range
380 mi (EPA)

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 e-tron
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
333634$2,350158
A3
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263529$2,200303
A3 Cabriolet
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253428$2,300316
A3 quattro
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
243127$2,400330
A3 Cabriolet quattro
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
223025$2,550359
  • A3 e-tron
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    33 city · 36 hwy · $2,350/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • A3
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • A3 Cabriolet
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    25 city · 34 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • A3 quattro
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • A3 Cabriolet quattro
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    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
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Audi A3 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 11389Vehicle 11388Vehicle 11044
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

2017 A3 questions

How many recalls does the 2017 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 2017 Audi A3 problems?

Owners filed 63 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (28), electrical system (12), engine (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Audi A3 get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Audi A3 at 25–34 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026