MYRModel Year Report

2011 Audi A3

● Typical for this model
2011 Audi A3
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:31:24.028Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Audi A3 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 2001: 1 complaints 2001 2003: 2 complaints 2004: 6 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 123 complaints 2007: 52 complaints 2008: 43 complaints 2008 2009: 47 complaints 2010: 50 complaints 2011: 43 complaints 2011 2012: 43 complaints 2013: 20 complaints 2015: 89 complaints 2015 2016: 80 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 33 complaints 2018 2019: 10 complaints 2020: 16 complaints 2022: 9 complaints 2022 2023: 6 complaints 2024: 1 complaints 2025: 3 complaints 2025
2011: 43 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20011
20032
20046
20050
2006123
200752
200843
200947
201050
201143
201243
201320
201589
201680
201744
201833
201910
202016
20229
20236
20241
20253

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 47%

47% of complaints: air bags — 20 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

AUDI REFUSES TO REPLACE CITING LACK OF PARTS YET KEEPS SENDING ME NOTICES TO REPLACE. THIS IS WASTING A LOT OF TIME FOR BOTH PARTIES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181015

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180801

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 6 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE SERVICE VEHICLE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20151008

ENGINE 14%

14% of complaints: engine — 6 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 9%

9% of complaints: fuel system, diesel — 4 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

1) NORMAL DRIVING. 2) FUEL PUMP FAILURE RESULTING IN TOTAL FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE. 3) FUEL PUMP AND ENTIRE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20110727

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE SERVICE VEHICLE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20151008

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20110207 — EA (closed 20150327)

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

I 20110802 — PE (closed 20111202)

Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage

R 20111115 — fuel system, diesel

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM

Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY O

Campaign 11V490000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170310 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 16V079000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180223 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 18V082000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191220 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 19V862000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Audi A3 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 11V490000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V079000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V082000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V862000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ● 2008 ● 2012

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ◆ 2015 ◆ 2016

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2011 Audi A3 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Audi A3 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Audi A3?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Audi A3 have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.