Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 Audi A3, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and electrical categories. 200 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.
When owners filed reports about this model year
Not enough dated records to plot a meaningful trend — 2 months of data.
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
My 2026 Audi A3’s windshield wipers shake, skip, and rub across the windshield, reducing visibility in rain. Even in very light rain, multiple sensor warnings activate. These issues began shortly after leasing the vehicle and continue despite repeated service visits. I am concerned about visibility and safety while driving in rain.
My Audi automatically applies the brakes while reversing. When this happens, I’m unable to immediately drive the vehicle. This is an ongoing problem that has not been resolved, and I’m increasingly concerned about the safety implications.just recently experienced while making a U turn.
The central locking system in my 2026 Audi A3 fails, causing the vehicle to physically unlock itself after I lock it and leave it parked. The myAudi app sends “Vehicle unlocked” and “Vehicle not fully locked” alerts. On multiple occasions I returned to find the vehicle genuinely unlocked after locking it and leaving the key fob inside my home. A remote lock command through the app returns “Vehicle was locked successfully,” confirming the vehicle was physically unsecured. The dealer inspected the vehicle, scanned for faults, operated the locking system, and left it locked for several days but could not duplicate the issue. Audi corporate support acknowledged “abnormalities on the backend” but directed me back to the dealer. The condition is intermittent and occurs after the vehicle has been parked for an extended period. It remains unresolved. Safety risk: the vehicle can be left unsecured while unattended, allowing unauthorized entry or theft. First occurred around 741 miles and continues. The component is available for inspection. No warning lamps appeared; only app messages and physical confirmation. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealer multiple times and is part of an open corporate case.
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
SUSPENSION
This bulletin provides information when there are creaking/squeaking noises from the front end on uneven roads.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides workshop information when the immobilizer cannot be adapted after the loss of keys.
This bulletin provides informaiton on the use of the PICO-NVH tool (VAS 611 015).
STEERING
This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians enter a record in the PSS database in instances when the sterring wheel pulsates/vibrates when driving around corners.
This bulletin provides information regarding the current top concerns being addressed by the Audi Digital Business Solutions (DBS) team.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides information when the MMI cannot be operated by touch.
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.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026Viewing | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 7 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 9 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 54.1 |
| 2019 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 49.2 |
| 2018 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 50.3 |
| 2017 | 44 | 2 | 1 | 52.4 |
| 2016 | 84 | 3 | 1 | 57.2 |
| 2015 | 93 | 2 | 1 | 53.2 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 46.0 |
| 2012 | 43 | 4 | 2 | 56.7 |
| 2011 | 43 | 4 | 2 | 51.0 |
| 2010 | 50 | 5 | 4 | 53.1 |
| 2009 | 47 | 5 | 2 | 59.5 |
| 2008 | 43 | 3 | 0 | 45.9 |
| 2007 | 52 | 3 | 0 | 41.8 |
| 2006 | 123 | 4 | 0 | 45.0 |
| 2005 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 6 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.