MSRP: $27,270 - $30,850
Invoice: $25,361 - $28,691
MPG: 21 City / 30 Hwy
Search Used Listings:

Audi A3 Recalls & Reliability

Scorecard

Overall: 2012 Audi A3 U.S. News Best Cars 8.2
Critics' Rating: 8.4
Performance: 8.7
Interior: 7.7
Safety: 9.9
Reliability:
How we calculate scores
Research analyzed for this review

Pros & Cons

  • Fun to drive
  • Optional diesel engine
  • High-quality cabin materials
  • Available all-wheel drive
  • Pricey
  • Cramped rear seat

Research Other Years

Review Last Updated: 4/24/13

Recalls

There has been 1 safety recall issued from NHTSA.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESELRecall Date: 09/30/2011
  • Consequence: DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 11V490000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 168,275
  • Summary: 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 SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.
  • Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
  • Notes: VOLKSWAGEN RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 23J9/V5. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Reliability

Our reliability score is based on the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) rating or, if unavailable, the J.D. Power Predicted Reliability rating.

Predicted Reliability Score
  • Key:
  • Among The Best
  • Better Than Most
  • About Average
  • The Rest

J.D. Power and Associates Power Circle Ratings do not include all information used to determine J.D. Power and Associates awards. See JDPower.com for more information on Power Circle Ratings. Your experience may vary.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the J.D. Power and Associates content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.

Warranty

Audi gives the 2012 A3 a new vehicle limited warranty that's good for four years or 50,000 miles. Audi also offers 12 years of protection against corrosion. Audi also provides 24-hour roadside assistance for the first four years, and the first scheduled maintenance is free at 5,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.

Next Steps: Audi A3

  • To get local pricing, enter your zip code: Get Best Price Cancel
  • Search used Audi A3 for sale (188 listings)
  • Find low financing rates for the Audi A3
  • View Audi A3 Photos
  • See Upscale Small Cars rankings