2015 Audi A3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2015 Audi A3 ranks 4th worst out of 19 model years, with a complaint index of 83 and 92 NHTSA complaints, mostly airbag-related. It carries 2 recalls, one for the passenger occupant detection system and one for the fuel system suction pump, and is rated Avoid relative to other A3 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 83/100
- #4 of 19 A3 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 92
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 24 city / 33 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2015 Audi A3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Passenger occupant detection system falsely detects an empty seat as occupied, triggering the airbag-off indicator and constant seatbelt chime even after the recall repair.
- Owners say the PODS wiring harness recall did not resolve airbag warnings, with airbags reported to turn on and off randomly during driving.
- Water pump and thermostat housing on the 2.0 TFSI engine leaks coolant, sometimes draining fully before any warning light appears, at mileages as low as 7,000.
- Vent motors controlling the defrost flaps fail intermittently, causing thick fogging on the windshield even with the blower on full.
- Headlights reported to shut off on their own for a few seconds at a time, including while driving in the dark.
- Some owners describe the car feeling unstable at highway speeds along with seatbelts locking unexpectedly.
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 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 A3 has a complaint index of 83, the 4th highest (worst) among 19 model years, and is rated Avoid relative to other A3 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2015 Audi A3?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 45 of 92 complaints (49%), largely tied to the passenger occupant detection system falsely reading the seat as occupied or empty.
- Does the 2015 Audi A3 have a recall?
- Yes, two recalls: campaign 21V198000 for the airbag PODS sensor mat and control module, and campaign 24V110000 for a fuel system suction pump replacement.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2015 Audi A3?
- NHTSA lists 92 complaints for the 2015 Audi A3, with no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths tied to those complaints.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Audi A3?
- EPA rates the 2015 Audi A3 at 27 mpg combined (24 city / 33 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.