Audi

A3

Subcompact Cars · model years 2010 to 2025

Includes A3, A3 Cabriolet, A3 Cabriolet quattro and 1 more as listed by the EPA.

See all 47 A3 trims All Audi cars

The verdict

Best year: 2025. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 7; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3.

Worst year: 2016. complaints: 111, about 4x this model's typical 28; recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Audi A3
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2010	4Diesel, Gas	24	200	$3,200	5	50	4	AIR BAGS 22%, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 22%, POWER TRAIN 18%
complaints: 50, about 1.8x this model's typical 28 recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 32 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.9 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2011	4Diesel, Gas	24	200	$3,200	4	42	2	AIR BAGS 40%, ENGINE 12%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12%
complaints: 42, about 1.5x this model's typical 28 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 Score: 48 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.5 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2012	4Diesel, Gas	24	140	$3,200	4	43	2	AIR BAGS 65%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10%
complaints: 43, about 1.5x this model's typical 28 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 Score: 47 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.2 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	4Diesel, Gas	24	200	$3,200	3	20	0	AIR BAGS 40%, ENGINE 12%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12%
complaints: 20, below this model's typical 28 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 Score: 74 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.3 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	5Diesel, Gas	27	no data	$2,850	2	176	1	AIR BAGS 35%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8%
complaints: 176, about 5x this model's typical 35 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 Score: 33 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	4Gas	27	no data	$2,300	3	111	1	AIR BAGS 33%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 111, about 4x this model's typical 28 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 29 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	4Gas	27.5	no data	$2,250	2	36	1	AIR BAGS 25%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 17%
complaints: 36, above this model's typical 28 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 Score: 64 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	4Gas	27.5	no data	$2,250	2	43	1	AIR BAGS 42%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 43, about 1.5x this model's typical 28 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 55 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	4Gas	27	no data	$2,325	3	12	1	AIR BAGS 41%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12%, SEATS 12%
complaints: 12, below this model's typical 28 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 Score: 79 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	3Gas	25	no data	$2,500	3	15	1	AIR BAGS 50%, POWER TRAIN 11%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11%
complaints: 15, below this model's typical 21 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 Score: 74 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	2Hybrid	31.5	no data	$1,975	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 14 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	2Hybrid	31	no data	$2,025	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 14 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	2Hybrid	31	no data	$2,025	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 14 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	1Gas	28	no data	$2,750	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 7 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2010: 24 to 2025: 28

Owner complaints2010: 50 to 2025: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Audi A3 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.