2012 Audi A3 problems and complaints

Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Audi A3. The most-reported areas: Air Bags (31), Electrical System (6), Exterior Lighting (5).

Key takeaways

  • 43 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 1 involve a crash, 2 a fire, 0 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Air Bags3172%
Electrical System614%
Exterior Lighting512%
Fuel/Propulsion System49%
Electronic Stability Control (esc)12%
Service Brakes12%
Hydraulic12%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2012 Audi A3 4 DR AWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated
2012 Audi A3 4 DR FWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Exterior Lighting - filed 2022-06-11

The tail light bulbs melts plastic and can cause fire. My light indicator came on. When I checked the bulb, the internal structure was melted. I ordered exact model from a junk yard. When I received, I noticed it had the same issue and the internal structure was melting from heat of light bulb. Both Left and Right...

Air Bags - filed 2022-01-04

air bag came on in dash. even though the air bag was recalled and fixed by dealer

Air Bags - filed 2019-07-07

THIS CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED IN 2012 AND THEREFORE NO LONGER NEEDS THE AIRBAG RECALL TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. PLEASE REMOVE THIS RECALL NOTICE FROM THE DATABASE.

Diagnose it yourself

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

More for the 2012 Audi A3

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.