YearToAvoid

2022 Audi A3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

23/100

#11 most-complained of 14 A3 years

The 2022 Audi A3 ranks 11th worst of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 23 and 9 complaints logged. NHTSA lists 6 recalls, and owners most often reported Electrical System issues (44% of complaints). Compared to other A3 years, this is a Best-verdict year.

Complaints
9
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
31.5
28.5 city / 37 hwy

Top 2022 Audi A3 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System4 (44%)
  2. Airbags3 (33%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain2 (22%)
  4. Engine1 (11%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (11%)
  6. Seat Belts1 (11%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the alternator and battery failing together while driving, requiring multiple dealer visits.
  • Some describe the car suddenly cutting off or dying without warning while driving, including during a turn.
  • New replacement batteries reportedly would not hold a charge, with dashboard codes flashing rapidly and the engine failing to restart.
  • A driver reported a 'Selector Lever Malfunction' error tied to the transmission/gear shifter, though the car remained drivable.
  • Another owner noticed a slight jerk when accelerating from a stop, later linked to a check engine light and a gear shift lock solenoid code.
  • Multiple owners reported delays getting recall parts for seat belt and airbag repairs, with front and rear seat belts reported as malfunctioning at 26,000 miles.
2022 Audi A3 complaints: complaints filed per month3Sep 2022Nov 2022Aug 2023Oct 2025Nov 2025Dec 2025Jan 2026Mar 2026
12 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2022 to Mar 2026; peak Nov 2022 (3).

2022 Audi A3 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V823000Nov 2, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras2,607 vehicles

    Back over prevention:display function

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Golf R A8, Audi S3, RS3 Sedan, Q4 E-Tron SUV, A3 Sedan, and 2022-2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI, and ID4 vehicles. The rearview camera image may be blank or unresponsive when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear or when the park function is manually activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners February 14, 2023. Volkswagen owners will receive an owner notification letter once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Volkswagen) 91EK and (Audi) 91EL.

  2. NHTSA 22V806000Oct 26, 2022Other6,076 vehicles

    Equipment:electrical:infotainment:video (touch)screen/monitor/unit

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.

  3. NHTSA 22V652000Aug 29, 2022Airbags4,117 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Audi S3, A3, and RS3 vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been folded incorrectly.

    Risk: An incorrectly folded air bag can tear, prohibiting it from deploying properly during a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69DZ.

See all 6 recalls for the 2022 Audi A3 →

2022 Audi A3 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
28.5 MPG
Highway
37 MPG
Combined
31.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,075
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.

2022 compared with other A3 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Best810327
2020Good3816327.5
2022Best239631.5
2023Best157231
2024No verdict02031

All Audi A3 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Audi A3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2022 A3 ranks 11th worst out of 14 model years with a complaint index of 23, making it a 'Best' verdict year relative to other A3 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Audi A3?
NHTSA data shows Electrical System issues made up 44% of complaints (4 of 9), followed by Airbags at 33% and Transmission & Powertrain at 22%.
Does the 2022 Audi A3 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2022 A3, covering the rearview camera, infotainment unit, front passenger airbag, seat belt tensioners, child seat anchorage sleeves, and an infotainment parameter update.
How many complaints does the 2022 Audi A3 have?
NHTSA lists 9 complaints for the 2022 Audi A3, with 0 crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported.
What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Audi A3?
EPA rates the 2022 Audi A3 at 31.5 mpg combined (28.5 city / 37 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,075.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.