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Research · Subcompact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2019 Audi A3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints for the 2019 Audi A3. Most complaints involve air bags (7) and fuel/propulsion system (2). The EPA rates it 25–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–29mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Feb 2024
Owner complaints
12
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

Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

TiresReported Oct 31, 2022NHTSA 22V815000

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

12 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2019 – Dec 2025
  1. Air bags7
  2. Fuel/propulsion system2
  3. Seats2
  4. Power train1
  5. Exterior lighting1
  6. Seat belts1
  7. Electrical system1
  8. Visibility/wiper1
  9. Other / unknown1

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

7 reports
“Audi has stated there are no parts available to address the PODS recall 21V198 since March 2021. My dealership sold my vehicle to me at the end of my lease without having addressed this safety recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2022Air bags, SeatsODI 11480136

Fuel/propulsion system

2 reports
“My vehicle stalls while driving twice in a row several times a week. Check engine code P0148 indicating a fuel system error. Took my vehicle to the Audi Dealership but because my husband had cleared the code, nothing could be done. My vehicle stalling multiple times in a row, several times a week not only poses a safety risk to myself as the driver, but my passengers and other vehicles on the road. I am requesting an investigation into the faulty fuel systems of the 2019 Audi A3.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2023Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11510142

Seats

2 reports
“I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WITH MY FRIEND IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR STARTED MADE A BEEPING SOUND AND MY DASHBOARD SAID SOMETHING ABOUT SAFETY FEATURE BEING TURNED OFF/LIMITED. ALSO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT TURNED ON EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY IN MOTION. THIS CREATED AN UNSAFE SITUATION AS PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS OFF WHEN IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN. THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) DETECTED A MALFUNCTION AND SWITCH OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG EVEN THOUGH THE SEAT WAS BE OCCUPIED. I REACHED OUT TO AUDI REGARDING THIS AND THEY SAID THAT SINCE THE REPAIR IS NOT AVAILABLE YET I WILL HAVE TO WAIT. THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THIS ISSUE IS 21V198. THE MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER IS 69BY. I HAVE ATTACHED THE LATEST VIDEO OF THIS SITUATION. IF YOU LOOK AT THE VIDEO IT SHOWS THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED AND STILL THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS THE 3RD OCCURRENCE OF THIS ISSUE. I USE MY CAR DAILY AND SINCE THE REPAIR IS NOT AVAILABLE YET THIS MAKES MY CAR UNSAFE ON THE ROAD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 11, 2021Electrical system, Air bags, SeatsODI 11416083
All 2019 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

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S7)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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-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
263529$2,200303
A3 Cabriolet quattro
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
223025$2,550355
A3 quattro
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
223025$2,550362
  • 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
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • A3 Cabriolet quattro
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • A3 quattro
    Auto (AM-S7), 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

5 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 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%
Overall
5 / 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%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 13692Vehicle 13691Vehicle 13688
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

2019 A3 questions

How many recalls does the 2019 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 2019 Audi A3 problems?

Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (7), fuel/propulsion system (2), seats (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Audi A3 get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Audi A3 at 25–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Audi A3?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Audi A3 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026