2015 Audi A3

2015 Audi A3 recalls (2)

• 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.

  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.

• FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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.

  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.

2015 Audi A3 safety ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2015 Audi A3 owner complaints (15)

• FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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 informed him to the local dealership. The failure mileage was 75,000.

• FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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.

• FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  the jet fuel pump is on the recall list for front wheel drive audi a 3 cars - they are only including vin numbers for that type of car - mine is all wheel drive and even though i have the same faulty part in my car they will not take responsibility for it - which is why there is a class action law suit against audi america now - so i am filing all of the things that i can to help in resolving the issue of them misrepresenting a car for a 2nd time to me and selling me something that is unsafe and undriveable. my safety has been put at risk every time i have gotten in this car - it has stopped working on the highway several times putting me at risk. when i come to a light or try to pull out of a parking spot i can't move the car, it shakes and stops driving. this has happened to me more times than i can count and now it doesn't drive at all. this has been confirmed by an auto body shop that has been helping me - this car has been in their shop more times than i can count and i have not been able to drive the car for months - they finally did some research and found the class action law suit against audi for the jet fuel pump. i have already spent money to fix other parts like the reg fuel pump which the dealership also lied to me about before purchasing it. i have brought this issue to the attention of audi usa and they refuse to take responsibility even though when i called them a few months ago they said originally this was a sales problem - and if it was a manufacturing problem they would be able to do something about it - now when i have proof it is in fact a manufacturing problem and defect and there is a law suit against them for this same thing - they will won't help or take any responsibility. yes there were problems soon after i bought the car. it took a while to figure out what was going on as i mentioned it had been in and out of the shop several times before we learned of the real issue and of the defective part, recall, and lawsuit.

• POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  Blown turbo with propeller broken off lodged into the pre-catalytic converter, which caused damage to the catalytic converter/exhaust requiring a new turbo and a complete new catalytic converter and exhaust system. They also found major oil leaking from the upper timing cover gaskets, which I later found documented on the accounting service record as not repaired at that time few months from my purchase. These known engine damages were a major contributor to the engine failures that I’m faced with today. Oil starvation from known oil leaks, damaged gaskets, and failing parts caused oil starvation of the turbo, constant overheating with coolant and oil problems since purchasing the car and which ultimately froze the turbo and snapped the propeller. I’m still struggling without an operating vehicle for over a year, and trying to afford these expensive repairs, which should’ve been covered under the 15 year PZEV warranty and/or recalls of these known parts failures. It was at the dealership in plenty of time for the SMOG certification, which was the sole reason for the appointment and it being at AudiSD, which they refused to do. These are extremely expensive repairs, these are known issues with several class action lawsuits and recalls behind them, yet they simply refuse to take ownership, deny any support, and making excuses for their lack of responsibility. I asked several times for them to do the right thing, take the car back and refund my money or give me an equivalent car to what I was promised when I purchased it, they refused and no management has been involved. I deserve to be compensated for my time over the last several years dealing with these repeated issues, compensation for all the parts I have been forced to buy, refunded the amounts I’ve paid for technicians to truly diagnose the problem and for the repairs I’ve yet to be able to afford, as well as the towing and other charges I have incurred as a result of purchasing this vehicle from AudiSD

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Safty issue with standard equipment, backup camera stopped working. Safty feature now unavailable. Told by dealer that it's a common issue. Will fail Massachusetts inspection because the camera is standard safety equipment. Told I need a new 5f module and they are back ordered at audi which tells me it's a major problem since they can't supply them now, should be a recall on this unit....

• FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that on several occasions, while adding fuel to the vehicle, there was a clicking sound before the fuel started spilling onto the ground from the filler neck. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the dealer stated that the failure might be associated with a breather issue within the fuel tank and that the breather part might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle suddenly jerked, lost power, and a rattling sound came from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, there was a leak underneath the driver’s side rear wheel and a trail of condensation coming from the fuel tank, extending outside of the vehicle on the floor of the garage. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  Smelt like something was burning and the smell was coming out of vents. Looked online and found that people have been having issues with the auxiliary heater for the HVAC to help the car warm up faster. I check mine and found that the connector was staring to melt. Seems like it could be a potential fire hazard if not caught soon enough.

• AIR BAGS,SEATS

  Airbag pressure sensing fault in passenger seat. Fix is $1,800

• SEATS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  Subject: Complaint regarding refusal to perform recall repairs outside the U.S. – VIN [XXX] Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am the owner of an Audi A3, model year 2015, VIN [XXX] . According to the NHTSA database, my vehicle is subject to two open recall campaigns: – 69BY / 21V198 – Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) – 20YF / 24V110 – EVAP Suction Pump I currently reside in Ukraine, where the vehicle has been legally imported and registered. Despite the recalls being active and safety-related, the official Audi importer and dealers in Ukraine have refused to perform the repairs free of charge. They argue that these recalls apply only to the U.S. market and therefore decline service, which contradicts the global principle of mandatory recall repairs. This situation puts me and other drivers at risk, as the unresolved recall issues directly affect vehicle safety. I kindly ask NHTSA to review this case and provide guidance on ensuring that recall obligations are respected internationally, or to instruct Audi AG / Audi of America to facilitate the execution of these recalls regardless of the vehicle’s current market. Attached, please find copies of my correspondence with Audi dealers in Ukraine and Audi of America. Thank you for your assistance. Best regards, [XXX] Ukraine Phone: [XXX] Email: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  My 2015 Audi A3 1.8T is experiencing the exact same failure symptoms and operational hazards as those described in Audi’s own Warranty Extension U49, which covers certain 2017 and 2018 Audi A3 and A3 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI models. According to Audi’s bulletin, vehicles with faulty mechatronic units are eligible for replacement under an extended warranty due to safety concerns — sudden loss of drive, vehicle being stuck in neutral, and PRNDS flashing while in traffic. My vehicle is now exhibiting these identical symptoms: (1) Sudden disengagement of all gears while driving when it tries to go to fourth gear. At this point, there is a (2) flashing PRNDS indicator and “Reverse Gear Not Available” message. (3) Loss of ability to accelerate in moving traffic, requiring emergency maneuvers, and halting traffic. (4) Temporary restoration of function after shutting off and restarting the engine, only for the problem to happen again. (5) Check Engine Light. This is a serious safety hazard that puts both the driver and other road users at risk. The only reason my vehicle is excluded from the coverage appears to be its model year (2015), despite the fact that the mechatronic unit and failure mode are identical to the covered 2017–2018 vehicles. I believe Audi overlooked this issue in other year models and, as such, I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate why Audi is limiting this safety-related repair to only certain VIN ranges and model years, when vehicles just a couple of years older are exhibiting the exact same dangerous defect. A sudden loss of propulsion at highway speeds is a serious risk that warrants broader manufacturer accountability. The company should fix this issue as soon as possible.

• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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 and the expansion tank. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V619000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN, nor the model were included. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

• STRUCTURE

  The plastic roof trim panel on my 2015 Audi A3 is peeling and deteriorating significantly. This is not painted metal—it’s a separate, non-paintable plastic component that runs along the sunroof and roofline. The surface began flaking and lifting over time, and multiple independent body shops confirmed the panel is failing structurally and cannot be refinished—it must be replaced. While this may appear cosmetic, it’s not. The panel helps protect the roof seam and substructure. Its failure opens the door to water intrusion, corrosion, and potential roof integrity compromise—a serious safety concern, particularly in the event of a rollover or high-impact collision. Other owners of vehicles built on the same MQB/8V platform—including the VW Golf and SEAT Leon (not sold in the U.S., but structurally similar)—have reported identical issues, often followed by cracking or detachment of the panel. Despite multiple attempts to resolve this, Audi of America has been largely uncooperative. Their warranty process requires a diagnosis from a dealership, but most Audi dealers do not perform bodywork and refer customers to third-party shops—whose assessments Audi then refuses to accept. I’ve been left in a loop with no meaningful support, despite the issue being widespread and well-documented. I believe this is a design or materials defect that should be reviewed before it leads to broader safety or structural failures. See the below URL's for similar issues. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Excuse the shortened URL's, I need to meet your character count. I also cannot seem to upload images (despite being under the file size). I can email them later. I do find it interesting how all the affected cars seem to be blue (or at least darker in color). Perhaps excess heat is causing the issue? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• AIR BAGS

  For recall 21V198-69BY, I took my car to Audi of Birmingham on recall. They provided me a service form to show the repair had been made, but my passenger side air bag off light is still on because they didn't make the repair. It wasn't brought to my attention until I took my car for another repair job and the didn't make that repair, either.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Since 2021-2022 I have had several issues with my reservoir tank. This tank holds my coolant and has leaked continuously. They had a settlement for this problem but omitted the a3. I paid Audi dealership $ 1,600.00 to fix the problem a few years ago and have been having the same problem ever since. A few months after I paid for this problem Audi had a settlement for the reservoir tank and I was denied reimbursement because I owned a a3 and a3’s were not included in the settlement but a3 ‘s still had the reservoir problem as well. I contacted Audi USA on several occasions and still have been disregarded but Audi USA wants you to pay for the diagnostic first at the dealership just for them to even look at the immediate problem. I just contacted Audi USA again 1/29/25 because now I have to put my car in the shop again to get it fixed but the coolant constantly leaks and Audi service shop wants me to pay for it and I feel that I should not have to pay for (their )problem again and the same problem over and over. At this point the coolant is pouring out like water and I must get my car to the shop immediately because the engine light comes on stating no coolant running hot and this is how the Audi cars catch on fire.Please investigate this !!!! I refuse to give Audi any more of my money when they should be held responsible. I can’t find my receipt of date and amount paid but I can get this info from the dealership. I’m tired of going in a circle with this same car issue. I want my car fix and my settlement reimbursement.

• FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  Shortly after starting the car, and while exiting a parking lot, the car stalled and lost engine power. I was able to start the car back up for long enough to be able to pull back into the parking lot however after the car got parked the engine refused to start and stay running for the next hour. After a check using OBD11, the codes were showing the cause of the original problem was low fuel pressure which ended up causing misfires. The only way I was able to get the car running and staying running was by purging the system repeatedly by turning on the ignition without starting the car. This has all happened once before while I was driving at relatively low speeds (around 25 MPH) in a town, and I had to go through the same process. No warning lights show for the first multiple attempts at starting the car until it consistently fails to start. No inspections have taken place.