Which year to buy
Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2011CAREFULSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly air bags and fuel system Extended coverage
37 serious complaints of 42, the most about air bags (20) and fuel system (6); 1.4× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2011 vehicles. 4 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA11003: high-pressure fuel pump failure. NHTSA investigation PE11023: diesel fuel injector line leakage.
What owners report
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 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 not made aware of the issue.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, May 2016
“I was at the tail end of a 400 mile trip-all freeway driving. After exiting the freeway, the car was slowly losing power. The glow plug light came on. Car stalled after 1/2 mile. I tried to restart it. It would not start. The glow plug and check engine light were on.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the fuel system, Dec 2015
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Was revised on 11/13/18 to include a proration table for consequential damage repair reimbursement. This bulletin explains the extended warranty for the timing chain/timing chain tensioner in certain vehicles. (AWA 18-15-201811, Nov 2018)
- Extended coverage This document contains information on the warranty extension for intake manifold & fuel injectors. (Customer, Jan 2015)
- Extended coverage This document contains general information on the upcoming warranty extension on the high pressure fuel pump. (Dealer, Apr 2015)
- Extended coverage This document modifies the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual on the high pressure fuel pump limited warranty extension for certain 2009-2012 model year Audi TDI clean diesel engine vehicles. (AWA-15, Jun 2015)
- Extended coverage This communication asks dealers to contact Audi Warranty if they have any questions about the extended warranty coverage for 2.0L and 3.0L TDI vehicles. (AWC-18, Mar 2018)
- Extended coverage The communication contains the details of the water pump extended warranty. (AWA 19, Dec 2019)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
42 owner complaints · 4 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 24–32 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo; 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel · Drive: AWD, FWD
2011 A3 trims
| Premium | Premium Plus | Progressiv | quattro Premium | quattro Premium Plus |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Audi reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Audi aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 201–328 hp | AWD | 28 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 2 | Electrical system (1) | — |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 201–328 hp | AWD | 28 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 7 | Service brakes (3) | Yes |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 201–306 hp | 4WD, FWD | 30–32 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 4 | Electrical system (3) | Yes |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 201–306 hp | AWD, FWD | 30–32 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 7 | Electrical system (4) | Yes |
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 201–306 hp | AWD, FWD | 31–32 mpg | Not rated | 7 | 11 | Electrical system (5) | Yes |
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 184–288 hp | AWD, FWD | 25–30 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 18 | Air bags (9) | Yes |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 184–288 hp | AWD, FWD | 25–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 19 | Air bags (10) | Yes |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 186–292 hp | AWD, FWD | 25–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 62 | Air bags (30) | Yes |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 186–292 hp | AWD, FWD | 25–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 46 | Air bags (20) | Yes |
| 2016 | 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 170 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 150–292 hp | AWD, FWD | 26–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 126 | Air bags (62) | No |
| 2015 | 1.8L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 220 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel, 220 hp | AWD, FWD | 26–35 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 233 | Air bags (112) | No |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel manual available | AWD, FWD | 24–32 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 20 | Air bags (10) | No |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel manual available | AWD, FWD | 24–32 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 43 | Air bags (31) | No |
| 2011 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel manual available | AWD, FWD | 24–32 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 42 | Air bags (20) | No |
| 2010 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel manual available | AWD, FWD | 24–32 mpg | Not rated | 5 | 50 | Air bags (13) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: A3 2017–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | AUDI A3 4 DR N/A AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 | AUDI A3 4 DR N/A FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 | AUDI RS 3 4 DR N/A AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 | AUDI S3 4 DR N/A AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Audi A3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | Audi A3 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 6 |
| 2025 | Audi RS 3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | Audi S3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Audi A3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | Audi A3 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | Audi RS 3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Audi S3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi A3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 2 | 7 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi A3 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 2 | 7 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi RS 3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi S3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi A3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 6 | 9 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi A3 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 6 | 9 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi RS 3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi S3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 7 | 2 |
| 2020 | Audi A3 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 3 | 16 |
| 2020 | Audi A3 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 3 | 16 |
| 2020 | Audi A3 Cabriolet C AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 3 | 16 |
| 2020 | Audi A3 Cabriolet C FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 3 | 16 |
| 2020 | Audi RS 3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | Audi S3 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | Audi A3 C FWD | Not Rated | No | Optional | 4 | 12 |
| 2019 | Audi A3 C AWD | Not Rated | No | Optional | 4 | 12 |
| 2019 | Audi A3 4 DR AWD | 5 | No | Optional | 4 | 12 |
| 2019 | Audi A3 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | Optional | 4 | 12 |
| 2019 | Audi A3 Sportback e-tron FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Audi A3 Sportback e-tron FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Audi RS3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | Optional | 2 | 5 |
| 2019 | Audi S3 4 DR AWD | 5 | No | Optional | 1 | 2 |
| 2018 | Audi A3 C AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 7 | 44 |
| 2018 | Audi A3 C FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 7 | 44 |
| 2018 | Audi A3 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 7 | 44 |
| 2018 | Audi A3 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 7 | 44 |
| 2018 | Audi RS3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 4 | 13 |
| 2018 | Audi S3 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 1 | 5 |
| 2017 | Audi A3 C FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 36 |
| 2017 | Audi A3 C FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 36 |
| 2017 | Audi A3 C AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 36 |
| 2017 | Audi A3 C AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 36 |
| 2017 | Audi A3 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 36 |
| 2017 | Audi A3 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 36 |
| 2017 | Audi A3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 36 |
| 2017 | Audi A3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 36 |
| 2017 | Audi S3 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 9 |
| 2016 | Audi A3 C AWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 6 | 112 |
| 2016 | Audi A3 C FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 65 |
| 2016 | Audi A3 C FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 65 |
| 2016 | Audi A3 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 6 | 112 |
| 2016 | Audi A3 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 6 | 112 |
| 2016 | Audi S3 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 14 |
| 2015 | Audi A3 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 7 | 180 |
| 2015 | Audi A3 C FWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 7 | 180 |
| 2015 | Audi A3 C AWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 7 | 180 |
| 2015 | Audi A3 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 7 | 180 |
| 2015 | Audi S3 4 DR AWD | 5 | No | Optional | 2 | 53 |
| 2013 | Audi A3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 20 |
| 2013 | Audi A3 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 20 |
| 2012 | Audi A3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 43 |
| 2012 | Audi A3 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 43 |
| 2011 | Audi A3 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 42 |
| 2011 | Audi A3 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 42 |
| 2010 | Audi A3 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 5 | 50 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | A3 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2025 | A3 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2024 | A3 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 32 |
| 2024 | A3 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 30 |
| 2023 | A3 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 32 |
| 2023 | A3 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 30 |
| 2022 | A3 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 32 |
| 2022 | A3 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 31 |
| 2020 | A3 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 30 |
| 2020 | A3 Cabriolet quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2020 | A3 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2019 | A3 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 29 |
| 2019 | A3 Cabriolet | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 29 |
| 2019 | A3 Cabriolet quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2019 | A3 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2018 | A3 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 29 |
| 2018 | A3 Cabriolet | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2018 | A3 Cabriolet quattro | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2018 | A3 quattro | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 27 |
| 2017 | A3 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 29 |
| 2017 | A3 Cabriolet | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2017 | A3 Cabriolet quattro | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2017 | A3 quattro | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 27 |
| 2016 | A3 | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo | 27 |
| 2016 | A3 Cabriolet | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2016 | A3 Cabriolet quattro | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2016 | A3 quattro | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 27 |
| 2015 | A3 | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo |
27–35 |
| 2015 | A3 Cabriolet | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2015 | A3 Cabriolet quattro | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2015 | A3 quattro | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 27 |
| 2013 | A3 | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–32 |
| 2013 | A3 quattro | Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 24 |
| 2012 | A3 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–32 |
| 2012 | A3 quattro | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 24 |
| 2011 | A3 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–32 |
| 2011 | A3 quattro | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 24 |
| 2010 | A3 | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–32 |
| 2010 | A3 quattro | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 24 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.