2017 AUDI A3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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5/5

★★★★★

Safety Rating

74

Owner Complaints

1 Crash

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

19

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2017 AUDI A3

The 2017 AUDI A3 has received a total of 74 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. 19 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 (16 complaints), Fuelpropulsion System (14 complaints), and Electrical System (12 complaints).

Recalls for the 2017 AUDI A3

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2017 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...

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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.

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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.

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Owner Complaints for the 2017 AUDI A3

74 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2017 AUDI A3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11719288 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | N/A miles
While driving at highway speeds, a warning light appeared as well as an alert indicating the car was limited to no more than 4000rpm. After coming to a stop, a strong smell of gasoline was noticed in the passenger compartment. Continued driving home uneventfully but the strong smell of gas persisted. The next day I drove the car to a mechanic. Their inspection notes the following: The technician verified the customer concern of a fuel smell. He performed a fault scan, finding codes for low fuel pressure. He inspected the vehicle, finding a major fuel leak under the intake manifold, most likely from a cracked fuel rail. The system is supposed to operate at 125 bar of fuel pressure, but is currently at 9-11 bar. The high pressure fuel pump is operating at 100% duty cycle, which means it has overheated and been damaged. Metal shavings from the fuel pump then ends up inside of the injectors, ruining them. The low pressure fuel pump may be ok, but it is unclear at this time. **RECOMMEND REPLACING FUEL RAIL, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, INJECTORS WITH SEALS, AND PRESSURE SENSOR **MAY NEED LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP They also noted that the leaking fuel could cause a fire hazard. The fact that this fuel leak happened at only 98,750 miles and that the car continued to be drivable with fuel spraying all over the engine compartment is extremely concerning.
#11703596 | ENGINE | | N/A miles 1 Injury
In August 2025, my 2017 Audi A3 (VIN [XXX] ) experienced repeated stalling, strong gasoline odors inside the cabin, and a check engine light immediately after Audi completed recall-related service. The safety issue was later confirmed by the dealership to be caused by a failed suction jet pump (NHTSA Recall 24V110), which allowed fuel to enter the EVAP system and leak into the rear seat area and cabin. The leak was so severe that the rear seat and flooring had to be replaced due to fuel saturation. Before the problem was properly identified, I was repeatedly told the issue was “just the gas cap,” despite reporting fuel smell, rapid fuel loss after filling the tank, and the check engine light. During this time, I unknowingly drove a vehicle with a significant fire hazard. The cabin fumes caused physical symptoms and unsafe driving conditions. I was not notified of this recall at the time I purchased the vehicle in March 2022, nor was I notified of a second recall affecting the passenger occupant detection system (69BY), despite having purchased a one-year maintenance warranty. I only became aware of the recalls after experiencing the hazardous symptoms described above. The problem was confirmed and reproduced by the Audi dealership. Fuel odor, fuel loss, and warning lights first appeared within 24 hours after the initial service visit, and the safety defect was later linked to the recall-related component failure. This defect presented a serious risk of fire and exposure to gasoline fumes to both myself and other road users. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
#11703596 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | N/A miles 1 Injury
In August 2025, my 2017 Audi A3 (VIN [XXX] ) experienced repeated stalling, strong gasoline odors inside the cabin, and a check engine light immediately after Audi completed recall-related service. The safety issue was later confirmed by the dealership to be caused by a failed suction jet pump (NHTSA Recall 24V110), which allowed fuel to enter the EVAP system and leak into the rear seat area and cabin. The leak was so severe that the rear seat and flooring had to be replaced due to fuel saturation. Before the problem was properly identified, I was repeatedly told the issue was “just the gas cap,” despite reporting fuel smell, rapid fuel loss after filling the tank, and the check engine light. During this time, I unknowingly drove a vehicle with a significant fire hazard. The cabin fumes caused physical symptoms and unsafe driving conditions. I was not notified of this recall at the time I purchased the vehicle in March 2022, nor was I notified of a second recall affecting the passenger occupant detection system (69BY), despite having purchased a one-year maintenance warranty. I only became aware of the recalls after experiencing the hazardous symptoms described above. The problem was confirmed and reproduced by the Audi dealership. Fuel odor, fuel loss, and warning lights first appeared within 24 hours after the initial service visit, and the safety defect was later linked to the recall-related component failure. This defect presented a serious risk of fire and exposure to gasoline fumes to both myself and other road users. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
#11703596 | SEATS | | N/A miles 1 Injury
In August 2025, my 2017 Audi A3 (VIN [XXX] ) experienced repeated stalling, strong gasoline odors inside the cabin, and a check engine light immediately after Audi completed recall-related service. The safety issue was later confirmed by the dealership to be caused by a failed suction jet pump (NHTSA Recall 24V110), which allowed fuel to enter the EVAP system and leak into the rear seat area and cabin. The leak was so severe that the rear seat and flooring had to be replaced due to fuel saturation. Before the problem was properly identified, I was repeatedly told the issue was “just the gas cap,” despite reporting fuel smell, rapid fuel loss after filling the tank, and the check engine light. During this time, I unknowingly drove a vehicle with a significant fire hazard. The cabin fumes caused physical symptoms and unsafe driving conditions. I was not notified of this recall at the time I purchased the vehicle in March 2022, nor was I notified of a second recall affecting the passenger occupant detection system (69BY), despite having purchased a one-year maintenance warranty. I only became aware of the recalls after experiencing the hazardous symptoms described above. The problem was confirmed and reproduced by the Audi dealership. Fuel odor, fuel loss, and warning lights first appeared within 24 hours after the initial service visit, and the safety defect was later linked to the recall-related component failure. This defect presented a serious risk of fire and exposure to gasoline fumes to both myself and other road users. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
#11638367 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
The Vehicle Electrical System Control Module J519 had a fault that prevented using many vehicle functions - no interior lights, no heated seats, dashboard and navigation screen too dim to read in daylight.

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Safety Rating for the 2017 AUDI A3

The 2017 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 2017 AUDI A3

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 19 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2017 AUDI A3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

TSB_2050723_8 — POWER TRAIN

This bulletin provides information when there is a gearbox malfunction warning; DTC P0C2900 in the TCM.

A3524492073330_1 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This bulletin provides information when there is a gearbox warning light, DTC P176F00, P176E00, P175E00, P175D00 in the TCM.

A3524492073330_1 — STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

This bulletin provides information when there is a gearbox warning light, DTC P176F00, P176E00, P175E00, P175D00 in the TCM.

A3524482050723_5 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:GEARS

This bulletin provides information when there is a Gearbox Malfunction Warning, DTC P0C2900 in the TCM.

Dealer 34L4 Rev2 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Transmission Control Module (TCM) Software - Updated parts and claiming information

Circular 34L4 — POWER TRAIN

Audi is providing updated transmission control module (TCM) software to enhance an in-vehicle alert should a problem arise within the auxiliary hydraulic pump. Additionally, if a specific fault is found after the software is updated, a repair will be made to the transmission.

A3523432050723_3 — POWER TRAIN

This bulletin provides information for when Gearbox Malfunction Warning, DTC P0C2900, P176F00, P176E00 or P175E00 stored in the TCM.

Dealer 34L4 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Dealer Letter to announce Repair Available - Service Action 34L4 / TCM Software

A4023632047758_1 — STEERING

This bulletin provides information for when the front shock absorber cap emits cracking noises or causes spring jumps when steering or maneuvering.

A4023572047758_9 — SUSPENSION

This bulletin states to lightly lubricate the contact surface between the buffer stop and shock absorber cap when cracking noises/spring jumps are detected when steering or maneuvering.

Showing 10 of 19 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2017 AUDI A3

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the AUDI A3

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Other AUDI Models

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