2015 AUDI A3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
125
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
51
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2015 AUDI A3
The 2015 AUDI A3 has received a total of 125 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY. 51 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (45 complaints), Electrical System (17 complaints), and Seat Belts (10 complaints).
Recalls for the 2015 AUDI A3
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2015 AUDI A3, potentially affecting up to 567,561 vehicles.
Recall 24V110000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 261,257 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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...
View full details →Recall 21V198000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
| 153,152 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 21V198000 — AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY
| 153,152 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2015 AUDI A3
125 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 AUDI A3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontalpassenger Sideinflator Module | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tiressidewall | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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....
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2015 AUDI A3
The 2015 AUDI A3 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2015 AUDI A3
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 51 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2015 AUDI A3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
A6623042030471_7 — STRUCTURE
This bulletin provides information for when the license plate mounting bracket threaded inserts are stripped.
A4622382040449_2 — TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
This bulletin advises that there is a software update available in instances where a customer reports ESC and TPMS warnings are present with DTCs B116816, and C114602.
DC_TDIReminder — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
TDI Reminder message
A2022482067907_1 — FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
This bulletin advises that in the event that the fuel tank needs to be replaced, a slight modification is needed to ensure the fitment of the of the reductant agent filler neck.
A2622492066008_1 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
This bulletin advises that certain TDI vehicles are entitled to a one-time replacement of the Emissions Control Module after 70k miles.
A402128204342412 — SUSPENSION
This bulletin contains repair information for when there is a creaking or squeaking noise from the front of the vehicle. This only occurs on uneven roads.
A402021204342411 — SUSPENSION:FRONT
This bulletin contains repair information for when there is a creaking or squeaking noise from the front of the vehicle. This only occurs on uneven roads.
A8720102038023_9 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:COMPRESSOR
This technical service bulletin provides instructions for troubleshooting and replacing the A/C compressor, if necessary.
Dealer 37K8 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Transmission control module (TCM) software designed and certified for a similar model/model year was used in vehicles affected by this action. It is undetermined whether there could be an impact to emissions.
A9120592052135_2 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
This bulletin contains a software update for DTC B200087.
Showing 10 of 51 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2015 AUDI A3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the AUDI A3
- 2010 AUDI A3 — 60 complaints
- 2011 AUDI A3 — 51 complaints
- 2012 AUDI A3 — 48 complaints
- 2013 AUDI A3 — 24 complaints
- 2014 AUDI A3 — 0 complaints
- 2015 AUDI A3 (current)
- 2016 AUDI A3 — 111 complaints
- 2017 AUDI A3 — 74 complaints
- 2018 AUDI A3 — 46 complaints
- 2019 AUDI A3 — 15 complaints
- 2020 AUDI A3 — 18 complaints