RoadVitals

2023 Audi A3

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest May 5, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 3, 2024
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2023 Audi A3, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 705 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical450.0%
  • Brakes112.5%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Powertrain (other)112.5%
  • Steering112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
24V251000

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Apr 3, 2024
91 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.
The risk: A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant detection system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 8, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69GU.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 69GUView on NHTSA.gov
22V901000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Dec 7, 2022
297 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S3, RS3, and A3 vehicles. The Safety Certification label on the B-pillar is missing weight capacity information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
The risk: Missing weight information may result in unintentional overloading of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Audi dealers will install an overlay label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 50ZZ.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 50ZZView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed May 5, 2026

Dealer is refusing to acknowledge the known BSG defect (TSB 2058831/13) and is instead attempting to charge for secondary electrical failures (ABS/AC) caused by the primary charging system failure. 2023 Audi A3 2.0T, VIN [XXX] . Recurring 48V BSG (Belt Starter Generator) failure causing complete loss of power steering and brake assist. First documented under warranty October 29, 2025 at 45,500 miles at Audi Livermore (RO #XXX) — 48V battery at 0%, fault code P0A7D00. Dealer only recharged battery and erased codes without replacing BSG. Vehicle became completely undriveable March 22, 2026 with cascading electrical failures including CELO state, ABS failure, and complete loss of power steering and brake assist — a dangerous safety condition. Vehicle has been at Audi Livermore since March 26, 2026 — 40 days — unrepaired. Audi is now attempting to charge $3,751.70 for consequential faults caused by the unrepaired BSG. Open Audi Corporate Case #XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11735828
Incident
Mar 26, 2026
Filed Feb 21, 2026

I was driving vehicle and heard a loud sound like an explosion. I looked up and there was a big hole in my sunroof. The sunroof exploded. Yes you can look at it. It proceeded to crack and glass flew everywhere. Danger was that glass flew everywhere, got in my hair and could have been way worse. It is very dangerous and lucky I didn’t wreck. I have no idea was this is not deemed bad enough for recall. Audi has the vehicle and the case has been turned over to their corporate engineering department. They are going to determine if they will fix it which I know from reading this is a recurring issue. There were no warnings. Insurance knows but Audi is responsible.

NHTSA ID
11719608
Incident
Feb 19, 2026
Electrical
Filed Nov 5, 2025

Please see attachment: “Hello, my name is [XXX] . I'm I'm calling about a vehicle. Recall on an Audi 2023. And I'm having trouble with the manufacturer regarding this Notice that they sent us [XXX] . thank you very much bye-bye…” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11697574
Incident
Feb 11, 2025
Electrical
Filed Feb 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2023 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact observed a RED triangle icon, and the message "Electrical System Malfunction Defect - Low Charge" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle then lost motive power. The vehicle was steered over to the side of the road and stalled. The vehicle was restarted after 45 minutes. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fault control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,083.

NHTSA ID
11643339
Incident
Feb 13, 2025
Mileage
57,083 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 2, 2024

My 2023 Audi A3 with less than 3,000 miles completely stopped in the middle of a highway in Saugerties, New York. 4 hours away from home. I had my dog and my little sister with me and in the freezing pouring rain we had to get out and redirect traffic/ try to find help. I called Roadside assistance. They never came on [XXX] and didn't call back till 10pm to say they couldn't get to us because of the 8 inch snow storm. We had no heat because the car would not turn back on. 5 Ubers/ 3 lyfts and all taxis didn't come. Finally 1 uber came and took us to a nearby camp site where they allowed pitbull dogs. The next day, I had to call over 60 times to get someone to just tow my car to Audi Albany. Audi Albany would not drive me a loaner car because it was an hour away. With a lot of arguing Audi roadside/tow services finally allowed me to drive with the tow truck driver to Audi Albany. They gave me a loaner but said I had to book another hotel night because I was not allowed to drive the loaner back to my home yet. I was stuck in Saugerties NY for 2 nights 3 days. We both got sick from Sunday waiting for roadside assistance for over 5 hours. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11569511
Incident
Jan 28, 2024
Filed Apr 14, 2023

While I was driving down the road out of know where my moonroof bursted open and sounded like a gunshot and clumps of glass fell into the car, previous night before I heard shifting sounds in the roof.

NHTSA ID
11517059
Incident
Apr 8, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2071007_2

VISIBILITY/WIPER

This bulleitn provides informaiton when there is louver broken on the air vent for chest.

TSB_2082846_1

This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.

TSB_2043424_20

SUSPENSION

This bulletin provides information when there are creaking/squeakignnoises from the front end on uneven roads.

TSB_2081573_4

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.

TSB_2078648_2

STRUCTURE:BODY

This service information TSB provides warranty coverage information for vehicles with a broken sunroof panel.

TSB_2061464_12

SUSPENSION

This bulletin provides informaiotn regarding squeaking noises when steering or maneuvering.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi A3 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025500—
2024100—
2023Viewing620—
2022960—
2021000—
2020163154.1
2019103149.2
2018332152.4
2017442152.4
2016813159.3
2015892152.4
2014000—
2013203046.0
2012434256.7
2011434251.0
2010505453.1
2009475259.5
2008433045.9
2007523041.8
20061234045.0
2005010—
2004600—
2003200—
2002000—
2001100—
2000000—
1999000—
1998000—
1997000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.