2017 Audi A3 Safety Report
2017 Audi A3 Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Audi A3
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Audi A3. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (36) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Air Bags | Compare air bags issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Audi A3 with 1 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Audi A3 before buying across this generation. |
Audi A3 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi A3 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Audi A3 | 43 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Audi A3 | 110 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Audi A3 | 12 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Audi A3 | 173 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Audi A3 | 15 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Audi A3 | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Audi A3 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Audi A3, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Air Bags
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Audi onlyFuel/Propulsion System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Audi onlyEngine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Audi onlyEngine,Fuel/Propulsion System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Audi onlyPower Train
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Audi onlyAir Bags,Forward Collision Avoidance
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Audi A3
Reliability Score
The 2017 Audi A3 receives a reliability score of 87 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2017 Audi A3
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Audi A3:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags And Forward Collision Avoidance Systems Air bags and forward collision avoidance systems have been reported to fail, posing a risk to passenger safety. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System Issues Fuel system recalls have been issued for gasoline issues, which can affect vehicle performance and safety. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Audi A3:
Issues with the fuel system, including recalls for gasoline problems, are common.
Air bag failures have been reported, affecting passenger safety.
Electrical system issues, such as faulty control modules, have been reported.
Transmission issues, including malfunction and no reverse gear, have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2017 Audi A3
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Audi A3 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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 previ...
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Audi A3
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Audi A3 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Vehicle Electrical System Control Module J519 had a fault that prevented using many vehicle functions - no interior lights, no heated seats, dashboard and navigation screen too dim to read in daylight.
Car throws P2884 and the internal combustion motor will not start. The issue is gone into detail here: [XXX] recommendation is swapping out mechatronic unit for the upgraded unit. Since the unit is prone to failure this really should be a recall. It happens on all cars 2016/2017 years right around 60k miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(...
Passenger airbags, and emergency braking have been failing, i would have to be aware in advance if my vehicle needs to be checked, my safety and my passengers safety is in danger because incase i need to brake quickly but dont have the reaction time to do so i will crash since emergency brake doesnt work, and my passengers would be at high risk because of failing airbags, im unsure if the problem ...
The passenger side break light and signal stop working occasionally. I took it to a certified Audi service center, and they were able to fix the issue but reported that the central wire system that makes the break light and signal work are defective and that the issue will continue given that the cables may move every time I close and open and close my truck as the cables run through there. This i...
Panoramic sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving under normal conditions. This happened while I was driving on a freeway. Luckily I maintained my composure and safely drove home with broken glass all over myself. My car insurance paid for most of my sunroof replacement. There was no symptoms or warnings prior to this incident.
The vehicle cabin started to smell like gas and the car would not accept fuel into the tank. Took to Audi/VW independent repair shop where they indicated fuel jet pump in gas tank was not working properly and that it had flooded various components with fuel (charcoal cannister, etc.). Directed us not to drive as it was a fire danger and said that we should send to Audi to see if they would cover...
The high voltage battery no longer charges to full. Only 7 out of 8 possible indicator bars are illuminated, the car now only shows 17-20 miles available. When I purchased the car 3 years ago, it showed 28-29 miles available. Car was at Audi dealership, got tested, Audi says it's within tolerance. I disagree, 30% to 40% of the capacity is lost so far. There are many more owners that are reporting ...
“Transmission Malfunction/no reverse gear. Okay to continue driving” comes on constantly the past 2 years now. I’ve only had this vehicle 3 years. Yes , it is available for inspection. This puts my safety and the safety of my other passengers at risk because my vehicle will abruptly slow down in fast flowing traffic and it will uncontrollably accelerate when it’s time to come to complete stops. A ...
This concerns a recall issued. Audi issued a recall/reimbursement for transmission failure. Mine failed. Car stopped in the middle of roadway. I had transmission repaired before recall was issued. I have attempeted reimbursement and am denied by audi due to my vehicle being a theft recovery. However they have performed multiple recalls on this vehicle since I have owned it with the theft recovery...
While driving on highway 59 my vehicle began to jerk. I tried to accelerate and the vehicle would ramp but not move fast. My check engine light came on as well as the error code “transmission malfunction you continue to drive until engine is off.” After getting out of Houston, Texas rush hour traffic, I had my vehicle towed to a mechanic. The mechanic ran several tests and checked the engine. Upon...
2017 Audi A3 Etron Sportsback- Engine light turned on at 50k, when scanned for errors no codes. Then around 55k miles started to stall when slowing down or at a full stop. The car must be turned off then immediately go into drive. Felt very dangerous when driving in high traffic areas and areas with many stop lights/signs. Car error say Transmission Malfunction first then says something about Limi...
Passenger air bag light intermittently comes on after starts. Car has been showing exact symptoms from the PODS recall since I bought it in May, and I’ve tried to have this fixed by 3 separate Audi dealerships, and none of them have been able to fix it. At this point, this recall has now been active for over a year and a half, and I think it is absolutely ridiculous to have a non-functioning pass...
Was trying to fill up my car at the gas station. The car would not accept any fuel. Frustrated, I went to try another gas station. Same thing happened. Went home to check and see what the problem was and gas started spewing out of the gas tank from where you fill it up with gas. Car (to my knowledge) has never been overfilled, by me. This is apparently a problem with the 2017 VW golf's as well (wh...
Car has constant pedal sensor issue. Audi is refusing to look at the car because the car keeps stating it has fixed the issue. This has become quite a problem for my family the car will abruptly stopped while driving and stay stuck in 2nd gear. Once the car sits it will resets, it will then drive normal but after a certain amount of miles it will do the same thing again.
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 my vehicle began having a hard time accelerating, then my vehicle started leaking out gas from the back of the vehicle located in front of the rear passenger tire. I then took the vehicle to Audi West Houston to have a diagnosis. After a day and a half, Audi misdiagnosed my vehicle with ethanal composition too high and recommended that the gas tank be drain. I then took m...
Sensor in seat, has illuminated airbag light on dash and says airbag is off for passenger, sest belt light is illuminated even though no one is sitting in the seat, have to have sent belt clipped in to have warning light stop chiming Have contacted dealership and they say there is nothing they can do about it, also called audi USA and had the issue escalated and haven't heard from anyone at all a...
The thermostat housing on the 2.0t ea888 gen 3 engines keeps leaking after being replaced, VW has made multiple revisions and it still leaks I’m only at 41k miles.
This is the second failed (1/1/2022) camshaft position sensor on separate cylinder (#4), p/n 06E-103-697-AE. First one failed 3/05/2021. There are 8 of these adjusters on the particular engine. I have asked the dealer to retain the part. Safety is related to engine operation...malfunction indicator light is lit and vehicle/engine fails emissions inspection. Problem has been confirmed by dealer...
Sunroof exploded while driving. All windows and sunroof closed also sunscreen was closed. I heard a terrifying loud explosion then I heard all the glass shattering and falling on the sunscreen. I pulled over and called police because I thought it was a gunshot. But no evidence of a gunshot, rock, bird or object. Sunscreen is intact. It was on Christmas day so was not a hot day and no heater turne...
The front-passenger airbag deactivated while my father was riding in the car and the corresponding warning light came on. The error first occurred prior to the Mar 2021 Recall. I notified Audi multiple times that my vehicle had this problem, but Audi has not repaired it or offered me an alternative option.
Showing 20 of 36 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2017 Audi A3
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Evaporative Emissions:Canister
Opened 2023-12-12 · Closed 2024-07-01
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Audi A3
Has the 2017 AUDI A3 been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 AUDI A3 has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 AUDI A3 have?
The 2017 AUDI A3 has 36 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 AUDI A3?
The 2017 AUDI A3 does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 AUDI A3?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 AUDI A3 involve air bags (5 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (4 complaints), engine (3 complaints). Other affected components include engine,fuel/propulsion system, power train, air bags,forward collision avoidance.
How many crash reports does the 2017 AUDI A3 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2017 AUDI A3 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2017 AUDI A3 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2017 AUDI A3 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 AUDI A3?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 AUDI A3.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 AUDI A3?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 AUDI A3.
Should I buy a 2017 AUDI A3?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 AUDI A3 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 36 complaints, 2 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 AUDI A3?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 AUDI A3 are: 1. AIR BAGS (5 complaints), 2. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (4 complaints), 3. ENGINE (3 complaints), 4. ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (3 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN (2 complaints). AIR BAGS is the single most-reported problem area with 5 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 AUDI A3?
Be aware of potential air bag and fuel system issues, and regularly check for recalls. The 2017 AUDI A3 has 36 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2017 AUDI A3?
The 2017 AUDI A3 receives a reliability score of 87/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 36 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Air bags and forward collision avoidance systems and Fuel system issues.
What are the known issues with the 2017 AUDI A3?
Known issues with the 2017 AUDI A3 include: Air bags and forward collision avoidance systems, Fuel system issues. These are based on patterns found across 36 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 Audi A3?
Yes, there have been recalls for air bag and fuel system issues.
What are the common issues with the 2017 Audi A3?
Common issues include fuel system problems, air bag failures, electrical system faults, and transmission malfunctions.
How can I prevent issues with my 2017 Audi A3?
Regularly check for recalls and maintain your vehicle according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential air bag and fuel system issues, and regularly check for recalls.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Audi A3
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Audi A3. The data includes 36 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13