Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2020 Audi A3: common problems and reliability
· 8VOne of the weaker A3 years.
33 owner complaints, most about air bags. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2020 A3?The 2020 Audi A3 has 33 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and power train. Owners most often flag water pump/thermostat housing leak (plastic assembly).
Safety record for the 2020 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Audi A3 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other A3 years only. How we score it
Is 2020 a good year for the A3?
Across the 22 A3 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2001) to 180 (2015). With 33 complaints, the 2020 A3 sits below the model's median of 42.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2020 A3
air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Campaign 21V198000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Campaign 22V815000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
fuel system, gasoline
Campaign 24V110000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
What owners report on the 8V A3
Owners generally describe the 8V A3 as a solid, enjoyable daily driver that shares its bones with the VW Golf/GTI, which helps keep maintenance expectations reasonable.
- Very frequentWater pump/thermostat housing leak (plastic assembly)
- Very frequentMechatronic unit failure in DSG transmission
- RecurrentTransmission failure (whole unit replacement, sometimes under recall 34L4 for 2017-2018)
- RecurrentRear shock absorber sweating/leaking
- RecurrentSuspension bushings wearing and causing noise
Owner insights for the 8V A3. Read the full 8V owner report.
Other A3 model years
Compare every A3 year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.
Compare the A3 against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy