2013 Audi A3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 25 complaints on file for the 2013 Audi A3 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other A3 years?

A3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Audi A3 problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Airbags	10	40%	▼ down
Engine	4	16%	▼ down
Fuel System	4	16%	— flat
Other	2	8%	— flat
Transmission	2	8%	▼ down
Speed Control	1	4%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	1	4%	— flat
Lighting	1	4%	▼ down

Does the 2013 Audi A3 have recalls?

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

19V862000AirbagsDecember 4, 2019 · 226 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. 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 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.

18V082000AirbagsJanuary 30, 2018 · 162,782 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

16V079000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2016 · 151,767 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WE HAVE NOT YET HEARD FROM AUDI OR TAKATA WHEN THIS RECALL WILL BE PERFORMED. BECAUSE THIS CAR IS DRIVEN BY TEENAGERS, WE ARE VERY CONCERNED AND ANXIOUS TO GET THIS RECALL DONE. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS, NICK P.S. NOTE THAT THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED AND WAS FIRST REGISTERED AND DRIVEN IN NEW JERSEY…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 1, 2016

“WHILE DRIVING IN SEATTLE'S NOTORIOUS STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, MY A3 TDI, HAS STALLED. IT ACTS AS IF I HAVE "DROPPED" THE CLUTCH, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE BEING AN AUTOMATIC!!. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON TWO OCCASIONS. THERE IS LESS THAN 5K MILES ON MY NEW CAR. BOTH TIME IT HAS GONE IMMEDIATELY INTO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 25, 2013

“WHILE DRIVING IN SEATTLE'S NOTORIOUS STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, MY A3 TDI, HAS STALLED. IT ACTS AS IF I HAVE "DROPPED" THE CLUTCH, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE BEING AN AUTOMATIC!!. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON TWO OCCASIONS. THERE IS LESS THAN 5K MILES ON MY NEW CAR. BOTH TIME IT HAS GONE IMMEDIATELY INTO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 25, 2013

“TAKATA RECALL- 16V079 RECALL DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2016 MY VEHICLE IS ALMOST 4 YEARS OLD AND NO DUE DILIGENCE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO REMEDY THIS UNSAFE AND POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE AIRBAG.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 5, 2016

“WHILE DRIVING IN SEATTLE'S NOTORIOUS STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, MY A3 TDI, HAS STALLED. IT ACTS AS IF I HAVE "DROPPED" THE CLUTCH, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE BEING AN AUTOMATIC!!. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON TWO OCCASIONS. THERE IS LESS THAN 5K MILES ON MY NEW CAR. BOTH TIME IT HAS GONE IMMEDIATELY INTO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 25, 2013

2013 Audi A3 — common questions

Is the 2013 Audi A3 reliable?

The record is thin — 25 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2013 A3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (10 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints), engine (4 complaints).

Does the 2013 Audi A3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Audi A3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A3 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A3 years to avoid are 2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2009, 2007, 2010. The cleanest record among A3 years belongs to 2005.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2013 compare to other A3 years?

What are the most common 2013 Audi A3 problems?

Does the 2013 Audi A3 have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2013 Audi A3 — common questions

Is the 2013 Audi A3 reliable?

What are the most common 2013 A3 problems?

Does the 2013 Audi A3 have recalls?

Which Audi A3 years should you avoid?

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