20
recalls
The Audi A3 has 20 recalls covering 1.38 million vehicles as reported; model year 2022 is covered by the most (6). The 2020 Audi A3 earned 5 of 5 stars overall in crash tests (best version). Owners filed 38 safety complaints in the 12 months to Sep 2026; air bags is named most over all years.
Updated Oct 11, 2026 · recalls to Oct 6, 2026
Recalls
20
Most for 2022: 6
Units affected
1.38M
As reported
Overall stars
5 of 5
Model year 2020
Complaints, 12 mo
38
+2.7% vs 12 months before
Do-not-drive
0
None
By model year
Which model years are covered by the most recalls, and which get the most complaints
Recalls by model year
How many recalls cover each model year. Hover a year for the count.
Crash test star ratings
12 rated versions, model years 2015 to 2020
Overall stars by model year
The best and lowest overall rating of the versions tested each year (5 is best).
| Year | Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 DR · AWD | 10.9% risk | |||
| 2020 | 4 DR · FWD | 10.9% risk | |||
| 2019 | 4 DR · AWD | 10.9% risk | |||
| 2019 | 4 DR · FWD | 10.9% risk | |||
| 2018 | 4 DR · AWD | 10.9% risk | |||
| 2018 | 4 DR · FWD | 10.9% risk | |||
| 2017 | 4 DR · AWD | 10.9% risk | |||
| 2017 | 4 DR · FWD | 10.9% risk | |||
| 2016 | 4 DR · AWD | 10.9% risk | |||
| 2016 | 4 DR · FWD | 10.9% risk | |||
| 2015 | 4 DR · AWD | 10.9% risk | |||
| 2015 | 4 DR · FWD | 10.9% risk |
5 stars is the best. Ratings before model year 2011 used older tests.
Owner complaints
Safety complaints about the Audi A3, by the month they were received
Complaints per month
38 in the 12 months to Sep 2026.
Components named most
- Air bags338
- Power train126
- Electrical system88
- Fuel/propulsion system76
- Engine59
- Unknown or other39
- Exterior lighting29
- Complaints
- 731
- Crashes reported
- 21
- Fires reported
- 5
- People injured
- 13
Counts only, as reported by owners and not verified.
Parts recalled
Recalls of the Audi A3 by component
- Air bags8 · 473K units
- Back over prevention3 · 12K units
- Fuel system, gasoline2 · 271K units
- Child seat1 · 466 units
- Electronic stability control (esc)1 · 136K units
- Equipment1 · 297 units
- Fuel system, diesel1 · 168K units
- Power train1 · 16K units
Audi A3 recalls
Newest first
Related pages
Questions and answers
Is the 2024 Audi A3 recalled?
Yes: 1 recall covers the 2024 Audi A3. Check the recall pages below for what is wrong and the free fix; a dealer can tell if a single vehicle still needs the repair.
How many recalls does the Audi A3 have?
20 recalls cover the Audi A3, for 1.38 million vehicles as reported. The most common problem is air bags (8 recalls).
What is the safety rating of the 2020 Audi A3?
5 of 5 stars overall (4 DR): frontal crash 4, side crash 5 and rollover 4 stars, with a 10.9% chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
What do owners complain about most on the Audi A3?
Air bags: named in 338 of the 731 safety complaints about the Audi A3, then power train (126). One complaint can name several components.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data, updated daily. Models are written as published, so a few versions of one model can be listed under slightly different names.