2015 Audi A3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
92/100
#2 most-complained of 14 A3 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2015 Audi A3 has a Complaint Index of 92, ranking as the second-worst year among 14 model years for this model. Airbags account for 49% of complaints, mostly tied to a passenger occupant detection system that owners say the recall fix did not resolve.
- Complaints
- 92
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 24 city / 33 hwy
Top 2015 Audi A3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags45 (49%)
- Fuel System21 (23%)
- Electrical System18 (20%)
- Structure & Body12 (13%)
- Engine10 (11%)
- Seat Belts10 (11%)
- Other8 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (5%)
- Steering2 (2%)
- Brakes1 (1%)
What owners report
- Passenger occupant detection system falsely detects or fails to detect a passenger, causing the airbag to turn on and off and the seatbelt chime to sound continuously.
- Owners report the PODS recall repair did not fix the underlying sensor problem, with the 'passenger airbag off' light staying on incorrectly.
- Water pump or thermostat housing on the 2.0 TFSI engine leaks coolant, sometimes draining the system before a warning light appears, reported around 48,000 to 55,000 miles.
- Defrost vent motors stop working, causing the windshield to fog heavily even with the blower on full blast.
- Headlights turn off on their own for a few seconds every couple of minutes, then turn back on, described as dangerous in low-light driving.
- Seatbelts reported to lock unexpectedly hard while the car feels unstable at highway speeds above 70 mph.
2015 Audi A3 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V110000Feb 14, 2024Fuel System261,257 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. 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 VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
- NHTSA 21V198000Mar 22, 2021Airbags153,152 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
2015 Audi A3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 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.
2015 compared with other A3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Audi A3 a bad year?
- Relative to other A3 model years, 2015 ranks poorly. It has a Complaint Index of 92, the second-highest among 14 model years covered, and carries an 'Avoid' verdict compared to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2015 Audi A3?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 49% of complaints (45 of 92), largely tied to the passenger occupant detection system, at a median mileage of 53,250 miles.
- Does the 2015 Audi A3 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: campaign 24V110000 for a fuel system suction pump replacement, and campaign 21V198000 for the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) sensor mat and control module.
- How does the 2015 Audi A3 compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 92, 2015 is worse than most other A3 years except 2016, which has an Index of 100. Years like 2019, 2022, and 2023 rank as 'Best' with much lower indexes of 8, 23, and 15.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Audi A3?
- The 2015 Audi A3 gets 27 mpg combined (24 city / 33 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950 according to the EPA.