2013 Audi A3 recalls and problems

The 2013 Audi A3 has 3 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

0 / 0

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 Audi A3 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 Audi A3 recalls

Recall 19V-862: Air Bags

Reported Dec 4, 2019 · 226 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 18V-082: Air Bags

Reported Jan 30, 2018 · 162,782 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 16V-079: Air Bags

Reported Feb 10, 2016 · 151,767 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

2013 Audi A3 problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	10
Engine	3
Fuel/Propulsion System	3
Power Train	2
Unknown or Other	2
Fuel System, Diesel	1
Vehicle Speed Control	1
Visibility	1
Exterior Lighting	1
Engine and Engine Cooling	1

Most reported parts

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 50,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 Audi A3 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine and Engine Cooling · at 128,000 miles · reported Mar 16, 2026

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.

Power Train · reported May 13, 2022

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…

Exterior Lighting · at 58,800 miles · reported Jan 27, 2020

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.

Air Bags · at 50,000 miles · reported Dec 7, 2018

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.

Air Bags · at 31,000 miles · reported Jan 5, 2018

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.

Other Audi A3 years

2026 2025 2023 2022 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 201520132012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

Compare all Audi A3 years · All Audi models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Audi A3 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Audi A3: 19V-862 (air bags), 18V-082 (air bags), 16V-079 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Audi A3?

Owners report air bags problems most often (10 reports), followed by engine (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 50,000 miles.

Are Audi recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Audi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.