VehicleVerdict

2019 Audi A3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 15 complaints on file for the 2019 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.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

15

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other A3 years?

A3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 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, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Audi A3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System427%
Airbags320%
Seats213%
Other17%
Seat Belts17%
Transmission17%
Visibility & Wipers17%
Electrical System17%
Lighting17%

Does the 2019 Audi A3 have recalls?

3 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.

22V815000Tires & WheelsOctober 31, 2022 · 296,044 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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 Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.

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 vehicle stalls while driving twice in a row several times a week. Check engine code P0148 indicating a fuel system error. Took my vehicle to the Audi Dealership but because my husband had cleared the code, nothing could be done. My vehicle stalling multiple times in a row, several times a week…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 3, 2023

“Audi has stated there are no parts available to address the PODS recall 21V198 since March 2021. My dealership sold my vehicle to me at the end of my lease without having addressed this safety recall. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 22, 2021

“Audi has stated there are no parts available to address the PODS recall 21V198 since March 2021. My dealership sold my vehicle to me at the end of my lease without having addressed this safety recall. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · March 22, 2021

“I WAS DRIVING ON NJ TURNPIKE ON A 75 MILE TRIP BACK HOME AND AFTER INTO 55 MILES OF THE TRIP, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER.. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65 MILES OR SO AND IT WAS EXTREMELY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. WITH THE GRACE OF GOD, I WAS ABLE TO USE THE MOMENTUM TO MAKE IT TO A SIDE LANE BETWEEN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 6, 2020

“I PURCHASED A 2019 AUDI A3 ON JANUARY 18, 2021 (VIN [XXX]) FROM AUDI DENVER. I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD 2/19/2021, WAS TOLD THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE (2/2020 AT THE DEALERSHIP) AND 2 WEEKS AFTER REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD, HAVE A NEW CRACK THAT IS QUICKLY SPREADING. 4…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 2, 2021

2019 Audi A3 — common questions

Is the 2019 Audi A3 reliable?

The record is thin — 15 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 2019 A3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (4 complaints), airbags (3 complaints), seats (2 complaints).

Does the 2019 Audi A3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Audi A3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2019 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 2019 Audi A3?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 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.