2013 Audi A3 problems
The 2013 Audi A3 has 25 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (40%) concerns air bags. Next are engine (16%) and fuel system (16%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 25 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 40% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 31,000 miles 14 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 14 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 31,000 miles.
None of these complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 100% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2013 ranks 9th most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the Audi A3 with enough data (20 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
After driving on the highway for about 18 miles, took an exit and stopped at a traffic light. When the light changed to green I entered the intersection and the engine stalled without any indication of a problem. I was able to start the engine right away.
While driving in seattle's notorious stop and go traffic, my a3 tdi, has stalled. It acts as if I have "dropped" the clutch, which is impossible being an automatic!!. This has happened to me on two occasions. There is less than 5k miles on my new car. Both time it has gone immediately into university audi. First time, no answers. Still waiting on diagnostics from today's episodes.
Purchased used 2013 audi a3 tdi 3 months ago. Only use diesel fuel. Driving onto I80 west when I heard/felt car hiccup, lost power. Coasted to stop sign, tried multiple time but would not start. Towed to dealer who informed me that fuel pump (hpfp) had come apart spewing metal shards into system and that entire system had to be replaced. Research showing documented failures in VW tdi (same engine) hpfp in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Is system safe?
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 be a similar electrical issue like the license plate light. The tail light & directional signal failure are dangerous as the failures occur without warning while the car is being driven.