VehicleVerdict

2020 Audi A3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 2020 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.

19

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other A3 years?

A3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 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, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Audi A3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags947%
Transmission211%
Other211%
Tires & Wheels211%
Seat Belts15%
Speed Control15%
Engine15%
Electrical System15%

Does the 2020 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.

“The passenger occupant detection system has permanently failed and causes my passenger airbag to be off at all times including when a passenger is seated in the vehicle. The seatbelt sensor also goes off when no one is in the seat. Audi dealership said this is an Audi issue and the parts are not in…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 1, 2022

“As of October 25, 2022, the manufacturer (Audi) continues to not provide a solution to Recall Number 69BY / NHTSA Recall Number 21V198, stating that parts are still not available.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 25, 2022

“Car has 50,000 miles and vehicle has a bulletin on the vehicle from Audi, where the vehicle goes into limp mode and only shift through certain gears, rendering the vehicle, unable to drive and creating a safety hazard due to the fact that it can’t drive at Highway speed and or jolt and skips…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 15, 2025

“Tire Brand: Continental Tire Line / Model: ProContact TX Tire Size: 225/40R18 What Happened: This is the second tire failure I’ve experienced on Continental ProContact TX tires (OEM on my 2020 Audi A3 S Line). At only 13,000 total miles, I’ve had two separate instances of sidewall bubbles on…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 25, 2025

“The contact owns a 2020 Audi A3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently come to a complete stop as the brake, air bag, and seat belt warning lights would appear on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that while her husband was driving the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 1, 2020 · crash

2020 Audi A3 — common questions

Is the 2020 Audi A3 reliable?

The record is thin — 19 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 2020 A3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (9 complaints), other (2 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints).

Does the 2020 Audi A3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Audi A3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 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 2020 Audi A3?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 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.