Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Registered new in Europe in 2021
71,292 new Audi A3 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2021; the largest markets were Germany (25,901), Italy (10,500), France (8,754).
- Average mass
- 1,463 kg
- Average CO₂
- 102 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 102 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 45% · Diesel 28% · Petrol/electric 25% · Natural gas 2.5%
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
Real-world fuel consumption
14,446 Audi A3 cars first registered in Europe in 2021 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Diesel versions use 5.6 l/100 km on the road against 4.7 in the WLTP test (+19%).
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,292 | 6.5 | 5.7 | +14% |
| Petrol hybrid | 3,891 | 6.5 | 5.6 | +16% |
| Diesel | 4,343 | 5.6 | 4.7 | +19% |
| Plug-in hybrid | 3,920 | 4.8 | 1.2 | +298% |
Litres per 100 km from the cars' own fuel meters (OBFCM), collected in 2024; the year is the year of first registration. All years together · European Environment Agency · CC BY 4.0
Engines
The most common engines in 2021 Audi A3 cars on Dutch roads are the 1.4 hybrid (110 kW, 148 hp), 1.0 hybrid (81 kW, 109 hp) and 1.5 hybrid (110 kW, 148 hp), out of 7 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 hybrid | 110 kW 148 hp | 2,569 |
| 1.0 hybrid | 81 kW 109 hp | 1,706 |
| 1.5 hybrid | 110 kW 148 hp | 1,576 |
| 1.0 petrol | 81 kW 109 hp | 231 |
| 1.5 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 97 |
| 2.0 diesel | 85 kW 114 hp | 69 |
| 2.0 diesel | 110 kW 148 hp | 57 |
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
6,336 first registered in 2021 are on Dutch roads; 54% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €43,351.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde1,511
- Band onvoldoende profiel602
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld582
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm355
- Band beschadigd219
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht104
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage46
- Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont37
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
19,544 cars built in 2021 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 134 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, 742 of these cars first registered in 2021 took their annual MOT test. 93% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2021 the figure was 91%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 3.8% | 3.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1.6% | 2.9% |
| Visibility | 0.7% | 1.6% |
| Suspension | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.1% | 0.3% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.1% | 0.1% |
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
793 of these cars first registered in 2021 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 62,000 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
53 2021 cars are on the New Zealand register; 9% arrived as used imports, 91% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2021 Audi A3.
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 2021 Audi A3: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10253253 | This bulletin provides information for when DTC P0A7D00 is stored. |
| 10251661 | This bulletin provides information when there is a warning for the 3rd brake light; DTC B12C615. |
| 10251023 | Steering wheel shimmy, vibration and/or oscillation |
| 10250336 | This bulletin provides information for when Apple CarPlay pops up or takes over audio without user intervention in vehicles with the Audi Smartphone Interface. |
| 10249151 | This bulletin provides information for when DTC C101AF1, C101BF1, C101CF1, C101DF1 are stored in the ABS control unit with the message "magnetic field too low". |
| 10249054 | Due to new Minnesota state regulations regarding biofuels, biodiesel blends of B5 or less may not be available in the State of Minnesota. |
| 10244536 | This bulletin provides information for when the Virtual cockpit displays a colorful line (pixel error). |
| 10243938 | This bulletin provides details on the VIN-4-PIN program. |
| 10243930 | This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries. |
| 10241421 | This bulletin provides information for when there is a rattle noise from the rear suspension. |
| 10239678 | This bulletin provides information for a loose engine oil filler cap is loose, DTCs P06800, P227900, P050700. |
| 10236377 | This bulletin provides instructions for instances where squeaking or creaking noises are heard when the vehicle is driven on uneven roads. |
| 10234547 | This bulletin provides repair instructions for instances where creaking/squeaking noises are heard from the left front or right front area of the vehicle when being driven on uneven roads. |
| 10233771 | This bulletin provides information on the discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants. |
| 10233636 | This bulletin provides information for when the virtual cockpit is distorted due a broken screen caused by outside influence. |
| 10233376 | This bulletin provides information for when the vehicle does not start due to a drained battery. |
| 10231019 | Support for Customers Affected by Alternator Back-order |
| 10230850 | Support for Customers Affected by Alternator Back-order |
| 10230646 | This bulletin provides instructions for when the customer advises that there is insufficient or uneven cabin heating from the HVAC system. |
| 10230640 | This bulletin contains instructions for when the zirconium inserts found to be not firmly attached during service work. |
| 10228815 | Support for Customers Affected by Alternator Back-order |
| 10228803 | SAFETY RECALLS, COMPLIANCE RECALLS and STOP SALES |
| 10216023 | This bulletin contains a software update that addresses trip odometer and/or clock resetting to setting. |
| 10216008 | This bulletin describes the appropriate repairs in instances where an oil leak is found near the transmission oil cooler. |
| 10214458 | This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)