2012 Audi A3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
62/100
#6 most-complained of 14 A3 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2012 Audi A3 has 43 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 62, and ranks 6th worst among 14 model years — a Caution verdict. Airbags dominate complaints at 72% share, tied to 4 recalls including Takata inflator issues.
- Complaints
- 43
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
Top 2012 Audi A3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags31 (72%)
- Electrical System7 (16%)
- Fuel System4 (9%)
- Brakes2 (5%)
What owners report
- Owners report exterior lights and dash bulb-out warnings failing simultaneously without any actual bulb failure, often traced to a melted electrical fuse.
- Some drivers describe a burnt plastic smell along with lights going out while driving at night on the interstate.
- Owners with the 2016 airbag recall (16V079000) report long waits because replacement airbag inflator parts were unavailable at dealers.
- Diesel-equipped cars report sudden loss of power at highway speed accompanied by a flashing glow plug light, in one case followed by a high pressure fuel pump failure at 71,000 miles.
- One owner reported the gas pedal and brake pedal positioned too close together, making it hard to lift off the gas without catching the brake in an emergency.
2012 Audi A3 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V862000Dec 4, 2019Airbags226 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
- NHTSA 18V082000Jan 30, 2018Airbags162,782 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
- NHTSA 16V079000Feb 10, 2016Airbags151,767 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
2012 Audi A3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other A3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Audi A3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2012 A3 has a complaint index of 62 and ranks 6th worst out of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other A3 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Audi A3?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 72% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 60,000 miles and one crash reported.
- Does the 2012 Audi A3 have a Takata airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall 16V079000 for airbag inflators, along with related recalls 18V082000 and 19V862000, all affecting the 2012 A3.
- How does the 2012 A3 compare to other years?
- The 2012 A3 (complaint index 62) is worse than 2011 (46), 2013 (31), and 2019 (8), but better than 2010 (85), 2015 (92), and 2016 (100), which are the worst-ranked years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Audi A3?
- EPA rates the 2012 A3 at 24 mpg combined (21.5 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300.