VehicleVerdict

2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet sits mid-pack among A3 Cabriolet years: 31 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 31, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 45% of all reports (14 of 31), far ahead of engine at 5.

31

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other A3 Cabriolet years?

A3 Cabriolet NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted109 complaints2015: 109 complaints2016: 46 complaints2017: 31 complaints2018: 12 complaints2019: 4 complaints
A3 Cabriolet NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A3 Cabriolet years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1445%
Engine516%
Fuel System310%
Transmission310%
Seat Belts26%
Brakes13%
Other13%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Electrical System13%

Does the 2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V474000AirbagsJune 19, 2019 · 138,896 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.

Consequence

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.

17V508000EngineAugust 16, 2017 · 8,383 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet and A3 Sedan vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may misinterpret the flywheel rotation on engine start-up as a "knocking" condition, and the adjusted air/fuel mixture may result in an engine stall.

Consequence

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24DF.

17V196000AirbagsMarch 22, 2017 · 11,618 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

If the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q3.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 1, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (CROWN AUDI LOCATED AT 19940 US HIGHWAY 19 N CLEARWATER, FL 33764 [PHONE]) WHERE IT WAS STILL BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 1, 2017

“The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 14, 2024

“WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING AND THE TRANSMISSION IS IN D/S AND THE START/STOP ENGINE BUTTON IS PRESSED TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, THE TRANSMISSION IS LEFT IN NEUTRAL AND THE CAR CAN ROLL UNIMPEDED. THIS IS FULLY REPEATABLE AND APPEARS TO NOT BE A FAIL-SAFE SITUATION. SHORT VIDEO VIEWABLE HERE:…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 4, 2017

“The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front driver’s side seat belt buckle locking mechanism malfunctioned, and the seat belt could not be securely latched. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The failure was not…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · October 2, 2019

2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet — common questions

Is the 2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet reliable?

It is close to typical for the A3 Cabriolet: 31 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2017 A3 Cabriolet problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (14 complaints), engine (5 complaints), transmission (3 complaints).

Does the 2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Audi A3 Cabriolet years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A3 Cabriolet years to avoid are 2015. The cleanest record among A3 Cabriolet years belongs to 2019.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.