2017 Audi A3 Reliability
The 2017 Audi A3 has 63 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Compared with nearby A3 model years (2015–2019), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the A3's typical year, while the 2018 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
63
NHTSA owner complaints
3
Recall campaigns
0
Complaints citing a crash
0
Complaints citing a fire
2017 Audi A3 complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 model year, filed between 2017 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 28 | 44% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 19% |
| Engine | 12 | 19% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 11 | 17% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 9 | 14% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 6% |
| Seats | 3 | 5% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 3% |
2017 Audi A3 recalls
3 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2017 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V474000 | Jun 19, 2019 | Air bags — sensor / occupant classification | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System… |
| 21V198000 | Mar 22, 2021 | 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… |
| 24V110000 | Feb 14, 2024 | Fuel system | 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,… |
How the 2017 compares with nearby A3 years
Verdicts compare these A3 model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 180 | 2 | Air bags | Avoid |
| 2016 | 114 | 4 | Air bags | Avoid |
| 2017 (this page) | 63 | 3 | Air bags | Caution |
| 2018 | 44 | 3 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2019 | 12 | 3 | Air bags | Too few reports |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2017 Audi A3
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 3 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2017 Audi A3 can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2017 Audi A3 reliability FAQ
Is the 2017 Audi A3 reliable?
The 2017 Audi A3 has 63 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Compared with nearby A3 model years (2015–2019), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the A3's typical year, while the 2018 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2017 Audi A3 problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2017 Audi A3 are air bags (28), electrical system (12), engine (12), fuel / propulsion system (11). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2017 Audi A3 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2017 Audi A3, including 19V474000 (air bags — sensor / occupant classification) and 21V198000 (air bags — sensor / occupant classification / front passenger). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2017 Audi A3 compare with the 2016 and 2018 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2016 has 114 complaints and 4 recalls (avoid); the 2018 has 44 complaints and 3 recalls (solid). The 2017 has 63 complaints and 3 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2017 Audi A3?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Audi A3 research
Other Audi A3 model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2017 A3, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.