2012 Audi A3
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 123 |
| 2007 | 52 |
| 2008 | 43 |
| 2009 | 47 |
| 2010 | 50 |
| 2011 | 43 |
| 2012 | 43 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2015 | 89 |
| 2016 | 80 |
| 2017 | 44 |
| 2018 | 33 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
72% of complaints: air bags — 31 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
I HAVE HAD A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IT REPLACED AT AUDI SINCE 2016, I HAVE SENT EMAILS TO THE GENERAL MANAGER AND THEY KEPT SAYING "THEY DO NOT HAVE THE AIRBAGS IN STOCK". I HAVE TRIED ANOTHER AUID AND GERT THE SAME ANSWER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181208
14% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING MY LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY GO OUT BOTH DURING DAY AND NIGHT. DASH WARNING WOULD BE BULB OUT NEEDING REPLACING BUT NOTHING WAS EVER WRONG WITH THE BULBS OR TURN SIGNALS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20151113
THE F16 FUSE WHICH IS RECALLED ON THE VW SIDE MELTED, CAUSING THE SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150210
1.CAR SLIPS ON WET SNOW WHEN APPLYING BRAKES WITH BRAKE ASSIST ON 2. 30 AMP FUSE FOR RIGHT SIDE CONTROL MODULE BLOWS OFF EVERY WEEK AFTER REPLACING TO A BLACK CHAR
NHTSA ODI report, 20171217
12% of complaints: exterior lighting — 5 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
THE F16 FUSE WHICH IS RECALLED ON THE VW SIDE MELTED, CAUSING THE SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150210
9% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 4 distinct reports on file.
2% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 1 distinct report on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
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
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
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
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
2012 Audi A3 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (31 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (5 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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 Audi A3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Audi A3 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Audi A3?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 72% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 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.