2020 Audi A3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2020 Audi A3 has a complaint index of 33, ranking 13th worst out of 19 model years, with a "Good" verdict. NHTSA lists 16 complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 crash, with airbags as the top problem area at 56% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #13 of 19 A3 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 16
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 24.5 city / 33 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 Audi A3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags9 (56%)
- Engine2 (13%)
- Other2 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (13%)
- Electrical System1 (6%)
- Seat Belts1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the airbag warning light illuminating intermittently, including a "Malfunction, air bag off" message while driving at highway speed.
- Some owners with the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) recall stated replacement parts were unavailable for an extended period.
- One owner described the vehicle independently coming to a stop while brake, air bag, and seat belt warning lights appeared, followed by unintended acceleration and a locked steering wheel.
- Owners report transmission mechatronics failure causing the vehicle to display a transmission malfunction light and fail to shift into reverse.
- One owner described the transmission entering limp mode with skipped or jolting gear shifts while merging onto a highway.
- One owner reported repeated sidewall bubble failures on the factory-fitted Continental tires.
2020 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.
2020 Audi A3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,375
- 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.
2020 compared with other A3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Audi A3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Audi A3 rates "Good" among A3 model years, with a complaint index of 33 and 16 complaints logged, ranking 13th worst out of 19 years.
- What recalls does the 2020 Audi A3 have?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Audi A3: a fuel system suction pump replacement, a TPMS software update, and a passenger occupant detection system (airbag) sensor mat replacement.
- What is the most common problem with the 2020 Audi A3?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 56% of complaints (9 of 16), largely tied to the passenger occupant detection system recall.
- How does the 2020 Audi A3 compare to other A3 model years?
- The 2020 A3 has a complaint index of 33, far below the worst year, 2016, which has an index of 100 and an "Avoid" verdict. Years like 2019, 2022, and 2023 rate "Best" with lower indexes of 11, 22, and 17.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Audi A3?
- EPA rates the 2020 Audi A3 at 27.5 mpg combined (24.5 city / 33 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $2,375.