VehicleVerdict

2015 Audi A3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 131 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.7 times the median A3 year — the 2015 model ranks #2 of 22 A3 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 46 reports (35% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

131

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other A3 years?

A3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted140 complaints2001: 1 complaints2003: 2 complaints2004: 7 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 140 complaints2007: 63 complaints2008: 46 complaints2009: 66 complaints2010: 60 complaints2011: 51 complaints2012: 48 complaints2013: 25 complaints2015: 131 complaints2016: 113 complaints2017: 75 complaints2018: 47 complaints2019: 15 complaints2020: 19 complaints2022: 12 complaints2023: 10 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 5 complaints
A3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Audi A3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags4635%
Fuel System1814%
Electrical System1814%
Seat Belts108%
Seats108%
Engine97%
Other86%
Transmission54%
Body & Structure22%
Steering22%
Tires & Wheels11%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2015 Audi A3 have recalls?

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

24V110000Fuel SystemFebruary 14, 2024 · 261,257 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

21V198000AirbagsMarch 22, 2021 · 153,152 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY CAR KEEPS HAVING A SAFETY SYSTEM FAULT. THERE ARE TWO ERRORS: 1. THE "PAASENGER AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR STAYS ON EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT 2. BUCKLE SEATBELT SIGN IS ON WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER I TOOK MY CAR FOR A RECALL BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE OF THE AIRBAG BEING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 25, 2019

“The contact owns a 2015 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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 9, 2024

“Smelt like something was burning and the smell was coming out of vents. Looked online and found that people have been having issues with the auxiliary heater for the HVAC to help the car warm up faster. I check mine and found that the connector was staring to melt. Seems like it could be a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 3, 2025

“MY CAR KEEPS HAVING A SAFETY SYSTEM FAULT. THERE ARE TWO ERRORS: 1. THE "PAASENGER AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR STAYS ON EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT 2. BUCKLE SEATBELT SIGN IS ON WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER I TOOK MY CAR FOR A RECALL BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE OF THE AIRBAG BEING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · September 25, 2019

“MY CAR KEEPS HAVING A SAFETY SYSTEM FAULT. THERE ARE TWO ERRORS: 1. THE "PAASENGER AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR STAYS ON EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT 2. BUCKLE SEATBELT SIGN IS ON WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER I TOOK MY CAR FOR A RECALL BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE OF THE AIRBAG BEING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 25, 2019

2015 Audi A3 — common questions

Is the 2015 Audi A3 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 131 complaints put the 2015 model at #2 of 22 A3 years. It is one of the A3 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 A3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (46 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints), fuel system (18 complaints).

Does the 2015 Audi A3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Audi A3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Audi A3 under NHTSA investigation?

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

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.

How safe is the 2015 Audi A3?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Audi A3 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.