2023 Audi A3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 4 of 6 complaints (67%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 9 in 2022 to 6 in 2023.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | vs. 2023 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,000 | 1,950–2,100 | 1,950–2,100 | 2,750 | |
| Combined MPG | 31–32 | 30–32 | 30–32 | 28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 28–29 / 36–38 | 27–28 / 35–38 | 27–29 / 34–37 | 24 / 34 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 273–286 | 276–294 | 279–299 | 320 | |
| Complaints filed | 9 | 6 | 1 | 5 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2023 Audi A3 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2023 Audi A3?
Electrical: 4 of 6 NHTSA complaints (67%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Audi A3 get?
EPA rates it 30–32 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Audi A3?
EPA estimates $1,950–$2,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 38 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 276 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 27 mpg (low) | 35 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | $2,100 (high) | 294 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER · Campaign 24V251000 · Apr 4, 2024
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.
Consequence: A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant detection system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 8, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69GU.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 22V901000 · Dec 8, 2022
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S3, RS3, and A3 vehicles. The Safety Certification label on the B-pillar is missing weight capacity information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Consequence: Missing weight information may result in unintentional overloading of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi dealers will install an overlay label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 50ZZ.