Does the 2013 Audi A3 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Audi A3, the most recent reported on December 4, 2019 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A3?

Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (10 complaints), followed by engine (3).

How many 2013 Audi A3 complaints mention a crash or fire?

0 of 20 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2013 Audi A3 recalls and problems

3 recalls and 20 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2013 Audi A3.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2013 Audi A3 recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 19V862000 · reported December 4, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 226 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 18V082000 · reported January 30, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 162,782 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 16V079000 · reported February 10, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 151,767 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags10
Engine3
Fuel/propulsion system3
Power train2
Unknown or other2
Engine and engine cooling1
Exterior lighting1
Fuel system, diesel1
Vehicle speed control1
Visibility1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Mar 16, 2026 · Engine and engine cooling · 128,000 miles
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…

May 13, 2022 · Power train
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…

Jan 27, 2020 · Exterior lighting · 58,800 miles
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…

Dec 6, 2019 · Engine · 69,500 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI TEMECULA (40955 TEMECULA CENTER DR, TEMECULA, CA 92591, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DPS FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE…

Dec 7, 2018 · Air bags · 50,000 miles
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.

A3 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2010	5	50	1	0
2011	4	43	0	1
2012	4	43	1	2
2013	3	20	0	0
2015	2	93	0	0
2016	3	83	3	2

Across all years, the 2006 A3 has the most complaints (123). All Audi A3 years →

Questions

Does the 2013 Audi A3 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Audi A3, the most recent reported on December 4, 2019 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A3?: Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (10 complaints), followed by engine (3).
How many 2013 Audi A3 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 0 of 20 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 16, 2026.