The Lemon Index
20122015Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 857 in the U.S. in 2013 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 10 complaints in its first 3 years.
10 owner complaints, first 3 years 24–32 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 BMW 3 Series 682013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 392013 Cadillac CTS 84
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? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
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 10 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? Codes owners of the Audi A3 (2011–2015) name most: P2711 Unexpected Mechanical Gear Disengagement. Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 51K miles (4K to 83K km) on the car (6 of all 10 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.
In owners' words
Nothing has happened yet, but my airbag was recalled 6 months ago and I haven't been notified of any fix available. Please advise.
2013 Audi A3 owner · NHTSA complaint 10898569
More owner reports
While at a complete stop at a red light, I felt what I can only describe as a "clunk" and the battery light on my dashboard illuminated. The car had stalled, and I had to restart the car entirely in order to continue on my way.
NHTSA complaint 10510472
Takata recall- 16v079 recall date: february 9, 2016 my vehicle is almost 4 years old and no due diligence has been taken to remedy this unsafe and possibly defective airbag.
NHTSA complaint 10913886
What repairs cost
Repair bills owners named in their complaints to the government (NHTSA), 2011–2015 model years, in U.S. dollars.
- Airbagsone repair bill$1,200–$1,500middle $1,300 · 7 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 11309055, 11320398, 11366953
Not enough reports yet for a number: Cooling (3), Electrical (2), Brakes (1), Exhaust & emissions (1), Fuel system (1), Screen, radio & camera (1). We show a range once 5 owners name a bill.
Each range is the middle half of the bills owners wrote down (one repair, parts and labor as they said it), not a yearly or total cost. Owners who complain often had expensive repairs, so typical bills can be lower. Prices depend on the shop, the miles and where you live.
Recalls 3
- 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.
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. 2013 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 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/audi-a3/?y=2013" 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-a3/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Audi A3 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Audi A3 reliable?
We can't score it: only 857 were sold in the U.S. in 2013 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2013 Audi A3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (40%), fuel system (30%) and engine (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Audi A3 have?
3 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 2013 Audi A3 get?
24 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2013 Audi A3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 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 2013 Audi A3 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Audi A3 year is better than the 2013?
Nearby, the 2016 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
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