2019 Audi A3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
8/100
#13 most-complained of 14 A3 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2019 Audi A3 has a complaint index of 8, the lowest among the 13 years with data, ranking it Best. It has 10 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.
- Complaints
- 10
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 24 city / 32.5 hwy
Top 2019 Audi A3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System4 (40%)
- Airbags3 (30%)
- Electrical System2 (20%)
- Structure & Body2 (20%)
- Other1 (10%)
- Seat Belts1 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (10%)
What owners report
- Vehicle loses power suddenly while driving at highway speed, described as scary and dangerous.
- Vehicle stalls repeatedly while driving, sometimes several times a week, tied to a fuel system error code.
- Windshield develops cracks repeatedly, with one owner reporting multiple replacements at low mileage.
- Passenger airbag warning light activates on its own while the seat is occupied, along with a dashboard safety-feature alert.
- Owners report the PODS airbag sensor recall repair was unavailable for an extended period after notification.
- Headlight assembly fails on a vehicle described as still fairly new.
2019 Audi A3 recalls
3 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 22V815000Oct 31, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires296,044 vehicles
Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Risk: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or AudiÂs customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
- 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.
2019 Audi A3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 32.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,425
- 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.
2019 compared with other A3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Audi A3 a good year?
- Yes, relative to other A3 model years. It has a complaint index of 8, the lowest of the 13 years with data, giving it a Best verdict.
- What problems does the 2019 Audi A3 have?
- NHTSA lists 10 complaints for this year, led by the Fuel System at 40% of complaints, followed by Airbags at 30%. Owners also reported issues with the Electrical System and Structure & Body.
- Does the 2019 Audi A3 have a recall?
- Yes, it has 3 recalls: a fuel suction pump replacement (24V110000), a TPMS software update (22V815000), and a passenger airbag sensor mat/module fix (21V198000). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What is the median mileage at failure for 2019 Audi A3 complaints?
- Across problem areas with data, median mileage at failure ranges from 11,700 miles for a wiper/visibility complaint to 34,500 miles for a transmission complaint; the fuel system complaints show a median of 12,946 miles.
- How does the 2019 Audi A3 compare to the 2016 model?
- The 2016 A3 has a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, far higher than the 2019 A3's complaint index of 8 and Best verdict.