2012 Audi A3: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 43 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (72% of complaints); the 2013 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The tail light bulbs melts plastic and can cause fire. My light indicator came on. When I checked the bulb, the internal structure was melted. I ordered exact model from a junk yard. When I received, I noticed it had the same issue and the internal structure was melting from heat of light bulb. Both Left and Right Tail light structures were melting. Potential fire hazard.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 audi a3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v079000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Audi carlsbad (5425 paseo del norte, carlsbad, ca 92008, (760) 438-9490) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2019
“Carbon buildup on fuel injectors after 60k, dealership is denying extended warranty coverage. It's common issue with di engines, the manufacturer should be responsible for the maintenance.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 audi a3. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags) and stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to repair the vehicle. The dealer (rusnak pasadena audi, 267 w colorado boulevard, pasadena, ca 91105) confirmed that the part was not available to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2018
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 audi a3. Upon attempting to register the vehicle with the department of motor vehicles in california, the contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair and was unable to register the vehicle due to an open recall. The contact called an unknown audi dealer in santa ana, ca and was informed that parts were expected to be available in april of 2018. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. *tt *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2018
“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”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Dec 2017
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 audi a3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (audi chandler, 7460 w orchid ln, chandler, az 85226, (480) 941-0000) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2017
“Takata recall. Last year I specifically made an appointment with audi tampa (105 e fowler ave, tampa, fl) for this purpose on august 9 2017. The service manager at the time, even though they knew why I was there said they had run out and not to worry that the recall isn't that bad. I am frustrated that a year later I am reminded that this still hasn't been fixed by audi. As an active duty service member I don't have the time nor flexibility to chase audi down. I would expect that audi would be more concerned about this considering this is an error in their design and impacts the quality and safety of their products.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
“Takata recall. I have contacted our local authorized audi dealer in regards to the recall and having the recall repair completed. The audi dealer directed me to www.audiusa.com. The audi usa website recommends the problem be corrected without delay and directed me back to the dealer. Neither audi usa or our local authorized audi dealer can provide a date of when the problem will be repaired.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 audi a3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v079000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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 MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.
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 OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
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.
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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
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.
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. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
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.
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. 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact A3 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Audi A3 reliable?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Audi A3. The most complained-about area is air bags (72% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2012 Audi A3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 66,557 miles or less.
Does the 2012 Audi A3 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, diesel. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.