Audi A3 years to avoid
Every Audi A3 model year on file (2012-2020), ranked worst to best by severity index - the share of owner complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or fatality.
2018
Worst year on file
56.2
Severity index
Air Bags
Most-reported system
2015
Cleanest year on file
Ranked worst to best
| # | Model year | Severity | Complaints | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018 Audi A3 | 56.2 Medium | 44 | Air Bags |
| 2 | 2020 Audi A3 | 56.0 Medium | 16 | Air Bags |
| 3 | 2019 Audi A3 | 54.4 Medium | 12 | Air Bags |
| 4 | 2012 Audi A3 | 53.8 Medium | 43 | Air Bags |
| 5 | 2013 Audi A3 | 50.8 Medium | 20 | Air Bags |
| 6 | 2016 Audi A3 | 49.5 Medium | 112 | Air Bags |
| 7 | 2017 Audi A3 | 44.8 Low | 36 | Air Bags |
| 8 | 2015 Audi A3 | 23.4 Low | 178 | Air Bags |
A high rank here means a larger share of this year's complaints described a crash, fire or injury - not that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and not a reliability or repair-cost rating. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold.
Audi A3 complaints and recalls by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crashes | Fires | Severity | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 43 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 53.8 Medium | AIR BAGS |
| 2013 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 50.8 Medium | AIR BAGS |
| 2015 | 178 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 23.4 Low | AIR BAGS |
| 2016 | 112 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 49.5 Medium | AIR BAGS |
| 2017 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 44.8 Low | AIR BAGS |
| 2018 | 44 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 56.2 Medium | AIR BAGS |
| 2019 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 54.4 Medium | AIR BAGS |
| 2020 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 56.0 Medium | AIR BAGS |
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold; a high-volume seller will attract more filings than a rare trim.