Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 93 safety complaints
about the 2015 Audi A3 with the US government. Of those, no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the gasoline fuel system and the air bags.
The most complained-about system is the air bags,
named in 45 complaints, 48% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 63,500 miles,
the median across the 36
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers January 2020 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
93 complaints on file
93
Complaints
0
Describe a crash
0
Mention fire
0
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
Complaints rose by half year on year: 12 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 7 in the twelve before.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
AIR BAGS 45 · 48%
45 48%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17 · 18%
17 18%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 13 · 14%
13 14%
SEAT BELTS 10 · 11%
10 11%
SEATS 10 · 11%
10 11%
ENGINE 9 · 10%
9 10%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 9 · 10%
9 10%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 · 9%
8 9%
POWER TRAIN 5 · 5%
5 5%
STEERING 2 · 2%
2 2%
STRUCTURE 2 · 2%
2 2%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 · 1%
1 1%
01938
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 93.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2020 at 24.
28 21 14 7
202020212021222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2015 Audi A3, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
4 DR AWD
4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
10.9%
10.9%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 261,257 vehicles across all model years covered
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
The risk
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 153,152 vehicles across all model years covered
Defect investigations
1 on file
An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A
preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering
analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
RQ23007
Closed recall query · opened December 12, 2023 · closed July 1, 2024 · led to recall 24V110
the gasoline fuel system
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
towed · 78,891 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while refueling, the fuel tank overflowed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that there was fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact called the Local Fire Department, and the vehicle was inspected. The contact stated that a Fire report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the …
NHTSA complaint 11599308, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
towed · 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated and the engine overheated. There was an abnormal sound coming from the transmission. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming abnormal amounts of coolant without signs of a coolant leak. The contact stated that the engine seized. The coolant reservoir was inspected and there was no coolant in the reservoir. While attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact recently replaced the coolant pump, coolant control valve …
NHTSA complaint 11679093, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The Audi has problems filling fuel, it doesn't allow you to put any gallon of gasoline, the gasoline gun jumps, I don't know what's going on.
NHTSA complaint 11767086. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
94,242 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that the dealer had previously repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the vehicle was not driven until a year later after the recall repair due to medical issues. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, fuel was backing up in the fuel filler neck. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and failed to exceed 30 MPH. There was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle, and the fuel and check engine warning lights were illuminated. A family friend diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the suction jet pump had failed. The dealer was made aware of …
NHTSA complaint 11762865, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My 2015 Audi A3 was subject to a fuel suction jet pump safety recall. Before the recall repair was available, the vehicle developed a fuel leak and fuel-spilling problem. Audi inspected the vehicle in XXX and documented that its Tech Line advised replacing the fuel tank and all attaching components, with a quoted cost of approximately $5,730. I was unable to afford this repair and questioned why the fuel tank needed replacement. Audi subsequently performed the suction jet pump recall repair in August 2024. However, the fuel problem did not resolve. After the recall repair, I was told the vehicle continued to spill fuel during testing and that the only solution was still replacement of the …
NHTSA complaint 11757884, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
I have an appointment at Audi of Richmond on Wednesday 08/19/26 and was told to have the car there on Tuesday the day before the appointment to fix the recalls. I called Audi USA roadside assistance and also the actual dealership about a complimentary tow based of the fact the reason it stop driving was because of one of the recalls. They said they can’t cover it because they can’t confirm that was the cause that keeps it from driving which confuses me because a fuel pump recall should trigger a stop drive anyway because of fire hazard at the very least. I will upload pictures of the scanner codes that let me know it was the fuel pump recall.
NHTSA complaint 11757471. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
75,000 miles
The contact owns 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated while parked and when attempting to input fuel into the vehicle the fuel hose sprayed fuel into the contact's clothing and shoes and began to leak under the vehicle near the rear tires. An independent mechanic was contacted. The contact mention the failure has occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure NHTSA Campaign Number:24V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and they …
NHTSA complaint 11741854, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
134,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that when filling the fuel tank, fuel leaks out of the vehicle. The failure would occur as soon as the contact filled the tank with about $ 3 worth of fuel. The contact recalled that previously, they struggled to open the fuel cap. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, diagnosed that the suction pump had failed. The issue related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed, and a case was opened. The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 134,000.
NHTSA complaint 11741459. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed February 14, 2024.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst