The Lemon Index
20222024Too new: partial score · still collecting complaints
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 13,626 in the U.S. in 2023 (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 30–32 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
Engines & versions
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 24V251000 (airbags) and 22V901000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- 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 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 →
Recalls 2
- Airbags · recall issued 2024
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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2022
The Safety Certification label on the B-pillar is missing weight capacity information.
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
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,000–$2,150 (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. 2023 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.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2023 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/audi-a3/?y=2023" 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-a3/2023/">Lemon Index</a> (2023 Audi A3 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2023 Audi A3 reliable?
We can't score it: only 13,626 were sold in the U.S. in 2023 (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 2023 Audi A3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (57%), transmission & drivetrain (14%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Audi A3 have?
2 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 2023 Audi A3 get?
30 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2023 Audi A3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2023 Audi A3 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,000 to $2,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2023 Audi A3 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Audi A3 year is better than the 2023?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2016 drew the fewest (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