The Lemon Index
20112013Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 7,205 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 7 complaints in its first 3 years.
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 24–32 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 BMW 3 Series 242012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 192012 Lexus IS 16
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 6 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V862000 (airbags), 18V082000 (airbags) and 16V079000 (airbags) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Audi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 7 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Transmission problems in every Audi A3 year →
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 50K to 71K miles (81K to 114K km) on the car (6 of all 7 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Show all 4 recalls
- Fuel system, diesel · recall issued 2011 2.0L diesel only
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 SE…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A3 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Audi A3 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,950–$3,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Audi A3 year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Audi A3 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/audi-a3/?y=2012" title="Audi A3 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/audi-a3/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Audi A3 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Audi A3 reliable?
We can't score it: only 7,205 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Audi A3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system (43%), electrical (43%) and lights (29%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Audi A3 have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi A3 get?
24 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2012 Audi A3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Audi A3 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,950 to $3,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Audi A3 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Audi A3 year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2015 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car). Across every year, 2016 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works