NHTSA vehicle safety data
2013 Audi A3 Recalls & Complaints
The 2013 Audi A3 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 20 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Audi A3. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2013 Audi A3 owner complaints
Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Audi A3, describing incidents dated October 9, 2012 to March 16, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Air Bags 10 complaints
- Engine 4 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
- Power Train 2 complaints
- Unknown or Other 2 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11724757 · Filed
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…
ODI #11464480 · Filed
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…
ODI #11302182 · Filed
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…
Driver Side Air Bag Inflator May Explode
NHTSA #19V862000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported December 4, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 226 vehicles
Repair completion: 65.04% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 69R6,69Q8,69Q9,69Y5 · Owners notified December 20, 2019 · Vehicles built July 14, 2010 – July 11, 2012 (per NHTSA)
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
NHTSA #18V082000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported January 30, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 162,782 vehicles
Repair completion: 78.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 69R6 · Owners notified February 23, 2018 · Vehicles built May 30, 2005 – August 30, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
NHTSA #16V079000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported February 10, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 151,767 vehicles
Repair completion: 40.4% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified March 10, 2017 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Audi A3 model years
Check your 2013 Audi A3 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi A3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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