2017 Audi A3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Audi A3 has a Complaint Index of 72, ranking 6th worst out of 19 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 44 complaints, 2 recalls (Fuel System and Airbags), 1 crash, and 2 injuries for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 72/100
- #6 of 19 A3 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 44
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2017 Audi A3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags16 (36%)
- Fuel System15 (34%)
- Electrical System13 (30%)
- Engine10 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (14%)
- Structure & Body5 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (7%)
- Seat Belts3 (7%)
- Other2 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls or jerks and knocks when pulling out of a driveway or accelerating from a stop, sometimes daily, with no warning lights.
- Vehicle sputters and stalls at low speeds of 2-3 mph, including at intersections, then restarts with difficulty.
- Front daytime running lights fade to a yellow color and appear dim or off while driving, reducing visibility.
- Passenger airbag, seatbelt, and pre-sense warning lights illuminate intermittently regardless of whether the seat is occupied, sometimes returning after recall repairs.
- Fuel tank is difficult to fill because the pump shuts off repeatedly, with fuel odor and fuel spilling out near the tank.
- Camshaft position sensor failures trigger the malfunction indicator light and can cause the vehicle to fail emissions inspection.
2017 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.
2017 Audi A3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,350
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2017 compared with other A3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Audi A3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 A3 has a Complaint Index of 72 and ranks 6th worst among 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other A3 years.
- What problems does the 2017 Audi A3 have?
- NHTSA complaints most often involve Airbags (16 complaints, 36% share), Fuel System (15 complaints, 34%), Electrical System (13 complaints, 30%), and Engine issues (10 complaints, 23%).
- Does the 2017 Audi A3 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: one for the Fuel System (suction pump replacement) and one for Airbags (passenger occupant detection system sensor mat and control module update).
- At what mileage do 2017 Audi A3 problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 48,500 miles, with Airbags issues appearing around 47,500 miles and Electrical System issues around 45,000 miles.
- How does the 2017 Audi A3 compare to other years?
- The 2017 model's Complaint Index of 72 is worse than Good years like 2013 (28) and Best years like 2019 (11), but better than Avoid years like 2016 (100) and 2006 (94).