Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2011 Audi A3, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags20
- Fuel/propulsion system6
- Engine6
- Fuel system, diesel4
- Electrical system4
- Exterior lighting3
- Power train3
- Steering1
- Structure1
- Vehicle speed control1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 3 2011 A3 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 0 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2011 Audi A3 failed the safety check 2.33% of the time — 6% less often than the average 2011 passenger car (2.49%). Median odometer at inspection: 104,193 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2011
125,017 new Audi A3 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2011; the largest markets were Germany (44,492), the United Kingdom (25,430), France (10,510).
- Average mass
- 1,416 kg
- Average power
- 99 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 72% · Petrol 28%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2011 Audi A3 cars on Dutch roads are the 1.4 petrol (92 kW, 123 hp), 1.2 petrol (77 kW, 103 hp) and 1.6 diesel (77 kW, 103 hp), out of 7 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 petrol | 92 kW 123 hp | 1,406 |
| 1.2 petrol | 77 kW 103 hp | 736 |
| 1.6 diesel | 77 kW 103 hp | 214 |
| 1.8 petrol | 118 kW 158 hp | 144 |
| 2.0 diesel | 103 kW 138 hp | 139 |
| 2.0 petrol | 147 kW 197 hp | 39 |
| 2.0 diesel | 125 kW 168 hp | 20 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
2,717 first registered in 2011 are on Dutch roads; 29% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €32,425.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde1,393
- Band onvoldoende profiel1,313
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen690
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm686
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld656
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan331
- Band beschadigd308
- Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij296
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
19,114 cars built in 2011 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1,390 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 22,465 of these cars first registered in 2011 took their annual MOT test. 66% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2011 the figure was 63%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2011 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 14.7% | 14.1% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.1% | 16.0% |
| Tyres | 8.4% | 7.3% |
| Brakes | 8.1% | 8.6% |
| Visibility | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.0% | 3.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
1,037 of these cars first registered in 2011 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 207,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
584 2011 cars are on the New Zealand register; 69% arrived as used imports, 30% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Audi A3 4 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2011 Audi A3 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 7.4–10.1 L/100 km (about 23–32 mpg US), CO₂ 198–232 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| A3 TDI (modified) · Station wagon: Small · Diesel | 8.1 | 6.4 | 7.4 |
| A3 · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 10.8 | 8.2 | 9.6 |
| A3 quattro · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 11.0 | 8.9 | 10.0 |
| A3 · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 11.8 | 8.0 | 10.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2011 Audi A3.
| 2020353 4 Aug 2020 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the warning label for the engine block heater cable is written in English only. As a result, a French user may not receive importa… |
| 2018059 30 Jan 2018 | Airbag On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propella… |
| 2016065 9 Feb 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inf… |
| 2011355 3 Oct 2011 | Fuel System On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0L TDI diesel engine, the fuel injection lines could crack. Diesel fuel leakage may ignite on a hot engine surface and ca… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Audi told its dealers about the 2011 Audi A3: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011303 | This bulletin provides information when the anti-theft alarm activates for no reason, or when the anti-theft alarm does not activate. |
| 11011285 | This TSB Provides information when parking assistance provides false warnings. |
| 11011282 | This bulletin provides information when speaker rattles, vibrations, or audio interference is noted. |
| 11011240 | This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool |
| 11009983 | Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available |
| 11009941 | This bulletin provides diagnostic information regarding the locking system. |
| 11009928 | This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds. |
| 11009375 | This bulletin provides information pertaining to the GFF test plan required for A/C compressore replacements, regardless of the concern. |
| 11009356 | This bulletin provides informaion regarding zirconium inserts in the bake piston for vehicle equipped with ceramic brakes. |
| 11009351 | This bulletin provides information regarding the general approach to brakes rubbing. |
| 11009348 | This bulleitn provides information when there is an implausible signal in the ABS/ESC speed sensor. |
| 11009347 | This bulletin provides information when there are vibrations and rotational steering wheel vibrations. |
| 11009327 | This bulletin provides information when ther is an Engine: start/stop system fault shown and start/stop system not is working; mileage below 50 km/32 miles. |
| 11009313 | This bulletin provides guidance in order to provid informaiton regarding preparatoin when calling the Audi Technical Assistnce Center (TAC). |
| 11009312 | This bulletin provides informationw hen there are car was brush bristles trapped in the seam between the headlight and fender. |
| 11007345 | This bulletin proves information when the bluetooth does not work, adaption channel deactivated. |
| 11007315 | This bulletin provides information vibrations and rotational steering wheel vibrations. |
| 11007305 | This bulletin offers information about the basic information needed for technical requests for gaerbox complaints. |
| 11007297 | This bulletin provides service information ror when the fuel tank cannot be fully filled. |
| 11007264 | This bulletin proves information when the bluetooth does not work, adaption channel deactivated. |
| 11007234 | This bulletin provides information vibrations and rotational steering wheel vibrations. |
| 11007224 | This bulletin offers information about the basic information needed for technical requests for gaerbox complaints. |
| 11007216 | This bulletin provides service information ror when the fuel tank cannot be fully filled. |
| 11005935 | This bulletin provides informaiton when there are speaker rattles, vibrations or audio interference in the sound system. |
| 11005911 | This bulletin provides informatin for the GFF test plan that is requied for AC compressor replacements. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation