CarBrief

NHTSA has 71 owner complaints and 5 recalls on file for the 2017 Audi A3[1][2]. The recalls and the complaint samples we read point to the passenger air bag sensor, engine stalling and fuel leaks[3][4][5].

71owner complaints[1]
5recalls[2]
25–29MPG combined (EPA)[6]
5★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 71 owner complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash, none a fire, 2 mention injuries and none a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name several parts.

The biggest groups are:

We also read a sample of 12 complaint texts from each of the top groups. This is a small sample, so it shows what owners describe, not how common a problem is.

Air bags. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 6 describe a passenger air bag warning light or a passenger air bag that switches itself off[8]. Another 4 describe a recall repair that was not available yet or that a dealer had no fix for[8]. The median mileage at failure for this group is 50,000[8].

Engine. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 7 describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving, at low speed or when pulling away from a stop[10]. The median mileage at failure is 9,500, and 1 complaint in this group mentions an injury[10].

Fuel and propulsion. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 5 describe fuel leaking or the tank refusing to take fuel, and owners tie it to the fuel pump or the charcoal canister[9]. Another 6 describe stalling[9]. The median mileage at failure is 47,000[9].

Electrical. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 5 describe passenger air bag, seat belt or pre-sense warnings, and some say the warnings came back after the recall repair[11]. Two describe transmission malfunction messages[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Three of the five recalls deal with the passenger air bag system[4][15][16].

Fuel economy

EPA lists five versions of the 2017 A3[17][18][19][6][20]. Ratings depend on the body and drive type.

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
A3, 2.0L turbo, front-wheel drive[6] 26 / 35 / 29 $2,300
A3 Cabriolet, 2.0L turbo, front-wheel drive[20] 25 / 34 / 28 $2,400
A3 quattro, 2.0L turbo, all-wheel drive[17] 24 / 31 / 27 $2,500
A3 Cabriolet quattro, 2.0L turbo, all-wheel drive[18] 22 / 30 / 25 $2,700

The A3 e-tron uses a 1.4L turbo engine with electricity. EPA rates it at 34 MPGe combined with 380 miles of range[19].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4 DR AWD and 4 DR FWD versions 5 stars overall[7][21]. Frontal is 4 stars, side is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 10.9%[7][21].

NHTSA lists the other versions (C AWD, C FWD and 5 HB FWD) as not rated[22][23][24].

Engine and size

EPA lists two engines for the 2017 A3[25][26]. The 1.4L 4-cylinder is rated 150 hp[25]. The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated 186 to 220 hp depending on version[26].

Size comes from Canadian-market specifications, so it can differ slightly from US models[27].

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
A3 Cabriolet[27] 175 in 71 in 54 in 102 in 3,583 lb
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI[28] 176 in 71 in 56 in 104 in 3,362 lb
A3 Sportback e-tron[29] 170 in 70 in 56 in 104 in 3,616 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

2006: 123 complaints, 4 recalls20062007: 52 complaints, 3 recalls2008: 43 complaints, 3 recalls20082009: 48 complaints, 5 recalls2010: 50 complaints, 5 recalls20102011: 43 complaints, 4 recalls2012: 43 complaints, 4 recalls20122013: 20 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 180 complaints, 7 recalls20152016: 121 complaints, 6 recalls2017: 71 complaints, 5 recalls7120172018: 45 complaints, 7 recalls2019: 15 complaints, 4 recalls20192020: 17 complaints, 3 recalls2022: 9 complaints, 6 recalls20222023: 7 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 2 complaints, 0 recalls20242025: 5 complaints, 0 recalls2026: 2 complaints, 0 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each A3 model year. The 2017 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20061234
2007523
2008433
2009485
2010505
2011434
2012434
2013203
20151807
20161216
2017715
2018457
2019154
2020173
202296
202372
202420
202550
202620

NHTSA lists 71 complaints and 5 recalls for the 2017 A3[2]. Among the model years listed, only 2015 (180 complaints), 2006 (123) and 2016 (121) have more complaints[2]. The next closest is 2007 with 52[2].

On recalls, 2015 and 2018 each have 7, and 2016 and 2022 each have 6[2]. The 2017 sits just below them with 5, the same as 2009 and 2010[2].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2017 A3?

The 2017 A3 has fewer complaints than the 2015 and 2016 models but more than most other listed years[2]. The main things to check are the passenger air bag system and fuel system, since both have recalls[3][4][15]. Ask for proof that every recall was done, because the engine stall and air bag software recalls also apply[5][16]. Some owners in the complaint sample say air bag warnings came back after a repair, so test that the passenger air bag light behaves normally[11]. If you want the best fuel economy, the front-wheel drive A3 is rated higher than the all-wheel drive versions[6][17].

Frequently asked questions

What problems are reported most for the 2017 Audi A3?
Air bags are the largest complaint group with 29 of 71 complaints[1][8]. Fuel/propulsion has 16, and engine and electrical have 14 each[9][10][11]. In the samples we read, owners describe passenger air bag warnings, stalling and fuel leaks[8][9][10].
Does the 2017 Audi A3 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls: 24V110 (fuel pump seal), 21V198 and 19V474 (passenger air bag sensor), 17V508 (engine stall) and 17V196 (air bag software)[3][4][15][5][16].
What is the gas mileage of the 2017 Audi A3?
The front-wheel drive A3 is rated 26 city, 35 highway and 29 combined MPG[6]. The A3 quattro is rated 24, 31 and 27[17].
How safe is the 2017 Audi A3?
NHTSA gives the 4 DR AWD and 4 DR FWD versions 5 stars overall[7][21]. Other versions are not rated[22][23][24].
Is the 2017 Audi A3 a good year compared with 2015 and 2016?
It has fewer complaints, 71 versus 180 for 2015 and 121 for 2016[2]. It has 5 recalls against 7 and 6[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 71 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Audi A3 (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A3 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 24V110, filed February 14, 2024: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 21V198, filed March 22, 2021: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 17V508, filed August 16, 2017: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for A3, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 35 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 29 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 16 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 14 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 9,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 14 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,668). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 9 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 5 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 4 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Recall 19V474, filed June 19, 2019: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 17V196, filed March 22, 2017: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for A3 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for A3 Cabriolet quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for A3 e-tron, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S6), Premium and Electricity: 34 MPGe combined, 380 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for A3 Cabriolet, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 34 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  25. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Audi A3 with 1.4L 4-cylinder: rated 150 hp. www.epa.gov
  26. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Audi A3 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 186 to 220 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A3 CABRIOLET: length 175 in, width 71 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,583 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A3 SEDAN 2.0 TFSI: length 176 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,362 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A3 SPORTBACK e-tron: length 170 in, width 70 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,616 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.