2013 Audi A3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
31/100
#10 most-complained of 14 A3 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2013 Audi A3 has 20 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls, with a Complaint Index of 31, ranking 10th among 14 model years covered. It earns a 'Good' verdict relative to other A3 years, dominated by Takata airbag issues rather than mechanical failures.
- Complaints
- 20
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 29 hwy
Top 2013 Audi A3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags10 (50%)
- Engine5 (25%)
- Fuel System3 (15%)
- Other2 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (10%)
- Electrical System1 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (5%)
What owners report
- Some vehicles stalled unexpectedly at low speed or while stopped at a traffic light, then restarted without further indication of a problem.
- Diesel (TDI) models experienced sudden loss of power on the highway, described as a hiccup or clunk before stalling, in some cases traced to a high-pressure fuel pump breaking apart and sending metal shards into the fuel system.
- Owners with Takata airbag recall notices reported long waits for replacement parts, in some cases going many months without an available fix.
- The panoramic sunroof reportedly fractured without warning while driving at 45 mph.
- One owner reported the transmission shifted into first gear unexpectedly at various speeds, with the diagnosis pointing to a DPF filter needing replacement, though parts were unavailable and the issue recurred.
2013 Audi A3 recalls
3 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.
2013 Audi A3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 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.
2013 compared with other A3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Audi A3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2013 A3 has a Complaint Index of 31 and ranks 10th out of 14 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other A3 years.
- Does the 2013 Audi A3 have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three recalls tied to the 2013 A3, all involving Takata airbag inflators (campaigns 16V079000, 18V082000, and 19V862000), covering driver's side airbag inflator replacement.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2013 Audi A3?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 10 of 20 complaints (50%), followed by Engine issues at 25% and Fuel System issues at 15%.
- What mileage do 2013 Audi A3 problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 50,000 for the 2013 A3 overall, with airbag-related complaints centered around 40,500 miles and engine complaints around 65,000 miles.