Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Audi A3 problems

Owners filed 63 complaints about the 2017 Audi A3 with NHTSA between Feb 2017 and Jan 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (28).

Complaints
63
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Exterior lighting2
  11. Structure1
  12. Vehicle speed control1
  13. Wheels1
  14. Visibility/wiper1

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 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20178
20180
20194
20205
202117
202217
20236
20244
20252

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

28 reports2 related recalls
“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

Fuel/propulsion system

11 reports
“The vehicle cabin started to smell like gas and the car would not accept fuel into the tank. Took to Audi/VW independent repair shop where they indicated fuel jet pump in gas tank was not working properly and that it had flooded various components with fuel (charcoal cannister, etc.). Directed us not to drive as it was a fire danger and said that we should send to Audi to see if they would cover this under warranty as it was a major emissions and safety problem. Towed to Audi dealer in Dallas. Dallas Audi dealer indicated this sounded like exactly what had happened for a recall issued for 2016 A3s. I learned this was subject to a warranty extension. Am working with the dealer who is trying to determine if that applies. Regardless, this is my daughter's car and a fuel leak with fumes in the cabin is a danger that should be fixed by recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 20, 2023Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11561079

Power train

9 reports
“Car throws P2884 and the internal combustion motor will not start. The issue is gone into detail here: [XXX] recommendation is swapping out mechatronic unit for the upgraded unit. Since the unit is prone to failure this really should be a recall. It happens on all cars 2016/2017 years right around 60k miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2025Power trainODI 11637424

Seat belts

4 reports
“The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front driver’s side seat belt buckle locking mechanism malfunctioned, and the seat belt could not be securely latched. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The failure was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2021Seat beltsODI 11436047
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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