AUDI A3 CABRIOLET · model year

2017 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET

31 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2017AUDIA3 CABRIOLET carries 31 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2017 A3 CABRIOLET is air bags with 12 filings, followed by engine (5) and power train (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2017 A3 CABRIOLET. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

31
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

31 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS12
ENGINE5
POWER TRAIN3
SEAT BELTS2
SERVICE BRAKES1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION1
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1

Recalls (3)

17V19600022/03/2017

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying

19V47400019/06/2019

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and de

17V50800016/08/2017

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet and A3 Sedan vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may misinterpret the flywheel rotation on engine start-up as a "knocking" condition, and the adjusted air/fuel mixture may result in an engin

Recent Complaints

20240412FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

20230113POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to make abnormal sounds and inadvertently downshifted. In addition, the reduced power warning light, check engine warning light, and the ESP warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

20221014AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The contact then stated that the passenger restraint disabled message appeared on the instrument panel making a continuous loud sound. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 66,000

20220923AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag off warning light was illuminated with a passenger seated in the passenger’s side seat. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.

20220815AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated and the message "Air Bag Malfunction. Please Seek Audi Dealer" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). However, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the failure was associated with the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 55,000

20220725AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20220707FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, fuel was spilling from the fuel filler neck. The contact drove back to her residence and placed the vehicle in park(P) and noticed the odor of gasoline entering the cabin. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact exited and checked the gas cap and noticed that fuel was pouring from under the passenger’s side rear tire. The contact had the vehicle towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,800. The consumer stated that they reached out to Audi USA/Volkswagen for a reimbursement for the replacement of the fuel tank, the request was denied.

Mileage: 42,800

20220503AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20220502AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated and the warning message "Air Bag Off" would illuminate though there was a passenger in the front passenger's seat. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger’s seat belt chime reminder would engage while driving with no passenger in the front passenger's seat. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. However, the contact received a notification from the manufacturer advising that no one should sit in the passenger’s seat while they were working on the distribution of the parts for recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was ap

Mileage: 40,000

20220420AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,500. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 22,500

20220404AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light was displayed and an audible alert was heard while driving. The failure mileage was 55,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 55,000

20211208AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. There was an abnormal buzzing sound detected. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified but, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

20211116POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated that while placing the gear shifter into PARK, the vehicle would reverse. The "Put Vehicle In Park Immediately" warning message was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive it to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer-scheduled for the vehicle to be towed to an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

Mileage: 57,000

20211008SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front driver’s side seat belt buckle locking mechanism malfunctioned, and the seat belt could not be securely latched. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The failure was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

20210730AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

2017 AUDI A3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PODS SYSTEM AND IT WAS UNKNOWN WHEN IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO USE THE PASSENGER SEAT.

20210730AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

2017 AUDI A3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PODS SYSTEM AND IT WAS UNKNOWN WHEN IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO USE THE PASSENGER SEAT.

20210701AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The part was not available for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Due to the Issue with the recall, loss of use of the passenger seat, and a transmission issue, I decided to trade my 2017 Audi A3 in for a more reliable and safer car. P0DS & thermostat were replaced. That was in November of last year. I believe I am entitled to compensation for loss of use under the State's Lemon Law.

20190916AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20190419ENGINE

I WILL BE DRIVING AND STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I GO LET MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK TO START DRIVING AGAIN MY CAR THEN SPAZZES AND SAYS PLEASE SHIFT CAR INTO PARK AND I AM UNABLE TO DIVE MY CAR AND I HAVE TO RESTART IT A FEW TIMES TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. IT IS VER SCARY BECAUSE EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I CAN'T MOVE. IT'S ALWAYS HAPPENED WHEN I AM AT A LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN. IT HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 10 TIMES SINCE I HAVE HAD MY CAR AND WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO AUDI THEY TOLD ME THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR

20171222VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE CAR PURCHASED IN DEC 2016. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE; DRIVERS VISIBITY REDUCED GREATLY, MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. AUDI REPLACED THE WIPERS BUT DENIED THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM! THOUGH, AVOIDING DRIVING IN THE RAIN, I COMPLIANED TO AUDI SEVERAL TIMES. IT WAS IN AUGUST OF 2017, WHEN AUDI FINALLY ADMITTED TO ME, THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO PUT SOME "FILM" ON THE WINDSHEILD" IN MY VIEW, THERE SHOULD BE A MAJOR RECALL ON ALL 2017 AUDI A3 FOR WINDSHEILD REPLACEMENT. DOES ANYONE KNOW, HOW MANY ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED IN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO POOR VISIBILTY? PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. I TRULY BELEIVE THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. ALSO, IF A "FILM" IS APPLIED WILL THAT COMPROMISE THE INTEGRITY OF THE WINDSHEILD IN THE FUTURE? WHTA IF THE FILM WEARS OFF, ETC. MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED, THE DEALER SAYS ROAD DEBRIS CAUSED IT.

Mileage: 5,000

Compare 2017AUDIA3 CABRIOLET to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2017 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET have?
The 2017 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET has 31 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET?
Yes, the 2017 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET?
The most-complained component for the 2017 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET is AIR BAGS with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2017 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.