Model-year record

2013 Audi A3
See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.
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Complaints filed
20
Reports to NHTSA, 2013
Safety recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
24
EPA estimate
Known issues
Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (50% of 20 reports), followed by engine (10%).
+ 1 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 20 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11156765, ODI 11140822, ODI 11140631, ODI 11060844, ODI 10972287.
Individual complaint reports(20)
Showing the 20 most recent reportsEngine And Engine CoolingMar 2026 · ODI 11724757Details +Close −
The contact owns a 2013 Audi A3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly went into LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the glow plugs failed to function and became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to several dealers, where it was diagnosed with exhaust system failure. The contact was informed that the exhaust system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
- Reported
- Mar 2026
- Incident date
- Mar 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Power TrainMay 2022 · ODI 11464480Details +Close −
Car stalled in fast moving traffic, and then lurched forward. In the stall the car behind me almost ran into me. In the lurch, I almost rear ended someone. Fortunate that both times there was no collision. Took the vehicle to Audi and the car has been diagnosed with failed mechatronic - a $4,000 repair. It was shared that this is a known issue with Audi for my model year (faulty mechatronic), and as such has been recalled in several countries, but not the US. I called Audi USA and was informed that yes it is a known issue and has been recalled in other countries, but that NHTSA has not required Audi USA to open a recall here, and so they can't help me. I'm asking for some assistance. Thank you very much
- Reported
- May 2022
- Incident date
- Apr 2022
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Exterior LightingJan 2020 · ODI 11302182Details +Close −
INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH EXTERIOR LIGHTING. I ALREADY REPLACED ONE OF THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS (NOT A BULB ISSUE) AND AM NOW EXPERIENCING REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT ISSUES WHERE THE TAIL LIGHT AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL CEASE WORKING DURING THE DRIVING PROCESS AND THEN START WORKING AT RANDOM. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SIMILAR ELECTRICAL ISSUE LIKE THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT. THE TAIL LIGHT & DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL FAILURE ARE DANGEROUS AS THE FAILURES OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN.
- Reported
- Jan 2020
- Incident date
- Jan 2020
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
EngineDec 2019 · ODI 11287569Details +Close −
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI TEMECULA (40955 TEMECULA CENTER DR, TEMECULA, CA 92591, (951) 200-8100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DPS FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 190810653. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,500.
- Reported
- Dec 2019
- Incident date
- Sep 2019
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsDec 2018 · ODI 11156765Details +Close −
TAKATA RECALL - DEALER INFORMED ME THE RECALL PART HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE FOR 1 YEAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE UNAVAILABLE FOR AN ADDITIONAL 2 - 6 MONTHS. NO RECALL MAINTENCE IS ABLE TO BE SCHEDULED. THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL IS DEATH TO THE DRIVER. UNACCEPTABLE.
- Reported
- Dec 2018
- Incident date
- Dec 2018
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsOct 2018 · ODI 11140822Details +Close −
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V084000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (AUDI MINNEAPOLIS, 9393 WYZATA BLVD, GOLDEN VALLEY, MN 55426) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- Reported
- Oct 2018
- Incident date
- Feb 2018
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsOct 2018 · ODI 11140631Details +Close −
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ROYAL AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (1525 HOWARD STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, (415) 241-8100) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- Reported
- Oct 2018
- Incident date
- May 2018
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsJan 2018 · ODI 11060844Details +Close −
TAKATA INFLATOR REPLACEMENT ISSUE ON 12/31/2017 I WAS DRIVING IN LOS ANGELES UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A HISSING NOISE AND SOME KIND OF PARTICULATE MATTER SPEWED FROM AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN WHERE THERE IS A JOIN WITH THE WHEEL. THIS WAS DIRECTED AT MY FACE FOR 10-15 SECONDS WHICH I BREATHED IN AS I WAS DRIVING. I AM ALSO "CONCERNED" ABOUT THE NATURE AND CONTENTS OF THE PARTICULATE MATTER, AND, THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AN ACCIDENT OR THAT IT MIGHT INFLATE WITHOUT ANY REASON OF ITS OWN ACCORD. *TT *TR
- Reported
- Jan 2018
- Incident date
- Dec 2017
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsApr 2017 · ODI 10972287Details +Close −
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- Reported
- Apr 2017
- Incident date
- Feb 2016
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsMar 2017 · ODI 10959844Details +Close −
WE HAVE NOT YET HEARD FROM AUDI OR TAKATA WHEN THIS RECALL WILL BE PERFORMED. BECAUSE THIS CAR IS DRIVEN BY TEENAGERS, WE ARE VERY CONCERNED AND ANXIOUS TO GET THIS RECALL DONE. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS, NICK P.S. NOTE THAT THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED AND WAS FIRST REGISTERED AND DRIVEN IN NEW JERSEY FROM 2013-2016
- Reported
- Mar 2017
- Incident date
- Oct 2016
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsOct 2016 · ODI 10913886Details +Close −
TAKATA RECALL- 16V079 RECALL DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2016 MY VEHICLE IS ALMOST 4 YEARS OLD AND NO DUE DILIGENCE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO REMEDY THIS UNSAFE AND POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE AIRBAG.
- Reported
- Oct 2016
- Incident date
- Oct 2016
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsAug 2016 · ODI 10898569Details +Close −
NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET, BUT MY AIRBAG WAS RECALLED 6 MONTHS AGO AND I HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED OF ANY FIX AVAILABLE. PLEASE ADVISE.
- Reported
- Aug 2016
- Incident date
- Feb 2016
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsAug 2016 · ODI 10898218Details +Close −
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN APRIL OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 10/04/16*LJ UPDATED 09/1/2017*JS
- Reported
- Aug 2016
- Incident date
- Apr 2016
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
VisibilityAug 2016 · ODI 10896973Details +Close −
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,580.
- Reported
- Aug 2016
- Incident date
- Aug 2016
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Air BagsMar 2016 · ODI 10851228Details +Close −
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Reported
- Mar 2016
- Incident date
- Mar 2016
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Vehicle Speed ControlFeb 2016 · ODI 10825149Details +Close −
2013 AUDI A3 TDI., SERVICED FOR 65K MAINTENANCE 10/31/15. NEXT DAY , THE CAR BEGAN ABRUPTLY LOOSING FORWARD MOMENTUM UNDER ACCELERATION, AND DIED IN AN INTERSECTION. TOWED TO AUDI, AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS BAD DIESEL. THEY FLUSHED THE DIESEL AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. (KROGER DENIED MY BAD DIESEL CLAIM.) ON 11/2/15, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SAME ISSUES. DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS THE ENGINE SPEED SENSOR AND REPLACED IT. ONE MONTH LATER, 11/6/15, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, WITH THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT FLASHING. THIS TIME THE DEALER SAID IT IS WAS THROTTLE SENSOR FAULT. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART, AND TOLD ME IT WAS 'SAFE TO DRIVE'. IN THE TIME BETWEEN, I WOULD REGULARLY EXPERIENCE THE LOSS OF FORWARD MOMENTUM WHILE ACCELERATING UP HILLS. I HAD THE WORK DONE 1/7/16. 9 DAYS LATER AFTER THE THROTTLE SENSOR REPLACEMENT, SATURDAY, 1/16/16, WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR BEGAN UNEXPECTEDLY LOSING ACCELERATION IN AN EXTREME FASHION, AND STALLED OUT TWICE WITHIN A 15 MINUTE DRIVE. IT HAD BEEN SUDDENLY AND BRIEFLY LOSING ACCELERATION WHEN ACCELERATING WHILE GOING UPHILL FOR SEVERAL DAYS. IT ALSO STALLED OUT WHILE ACCELERATING INTO AN INTERSECTION (EXTREMELY DANGEROUS) AND WHILE PARKING. I HAD AN ERROR # P2101, AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH WHILE GOING UPHILL UNTIL I STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR. ON 1/18 (MONDAY) I TOOK MY CAR INTO AUDI SERVICE. THEY HAVE HAD IT UNTIL NOW, 2/9/16, AND HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE COMPUTER, AND IT HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE. THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION. THEY NOW SAY THAT THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THIS IS A CONCERNING SAFETY ISSUE, GIVEN THE ABRUPT DROP IN ACCELERATION GOING UPHILL, THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND THE MULTIPLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING.
- Reported
- Feb 2016
- Incident date
- Nov 2015
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Fuel/Propulsion SystemOct 2014 · ODI 10643331Details +Close −
PURCHASED USED 2013 AUDI A3 TDI 3 MONTHS AGO. ONLY USE DIESEL FUEL. DRIVING ONTO I80 WEST WHEN I HEARD/FELT CAR HICCUP, LOST POWER. COASTED TO STOP SIGN, TRIED MULTIPLE TIME BUT WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT FUEL PUMP (HPFP) HAD COME APART SPEWING METAL SHARDS INTO SYSTEM AND THAT ENTIRE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. RESEARCH SHOWING DOCUMENTED FAILURES IN VW TDI (SAME ENGINE) HPFP IN 2010, 2011 AND 2012. IS SYSTEM SAFE? *TR
- Reported
- Oct 2014
- Incident date
- Oct 2014
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Fuel/Propulsion SystemMay 2013 · ODI 10510472Details +Close −
WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT, I FELT WHAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS A "CLUNK" AND THE BATTERY LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. THE CAR HAD STALLED, AND I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR ENTIRELY IN ORDER TO CONTINUE ON MY WAY. *TR
- Reported
- May 2013
- Incident date
- May 2013
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Fuel SystemFeb 2013 · ODI 10500063Details +Close −
WHILE DRIVING IN SEATTLE'S NOTORIOUS STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, MY A3 TDI, HAS STALLED. IT ACTS AS IF I HAVE "DROPPED" THE CLUTCH, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE BEING AN AUTOMATIC!!. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON TWO OCCASIONS. THERE IS LESS THAN 5K MILES ON MY NEW CAR. BOTH TIME IT HAS GONE IMMEDIATELY INTO UNIVERSITY AUDI. FIRST TIME, NO ANSWERS. STILL WAITING ON DIAGNOSTICS FROM TODAY'S EPISODES. *TR
- Reported
- Feb 2013
- Incident date
- Feb 2013
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
EngineOct 2012 · ODI 10479505Details +Close −
AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 18 MILES, TOOK AN EXIT AND STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN I ENTERED THE INTERSECTION AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. I WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE RIGHT AWAY. *TR
- Reported
- Oct 2012
- Incident date
- Oct 2012
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Recalls(3)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Air BagsApr 2019 · 19V862000Details +Close −
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. 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 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
Open full NHTSA recall record →Air BagsOct 2016 · 16V079000Details +Close −
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Open full NHTSA recall record →Air Bags · 18V082000Details +Close −
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Open full NHTSA recall record →A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2013 Audi A3 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
- Not rated
2013 Audi A3 4 DR AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
- Not rated
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 29 | 37 | 32 |
| A3 | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 21 | 30 | 24 |
| A3 | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 21 | 28 | 24 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
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2013 Audi A3: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2013 Audi A3?
Owners filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the 2013 Audi A3. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.
What are the most common problems on the 2013 Audi A3?
The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (50% of complaints) and engine (10%).
How many recalls does the 2013 Audi A3 have?
3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2013 Audi A3, covering components such as air bags. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Audi A3 get?
The EPA rates the 2013 Audi A3 between 24 and 32 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.