What 36 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Audi A3

The Vehicle Electrical System Control Module J519 had a fault that prevented using many vehicle functions - no interior lights, no heated seats, dashboard and navigation screen too dim to read in daylight.

NHTSA ODI 11638367

The passenger side break light and signal stop working occasionally. I took it to a certified Audi service center, and they were able to fix the issue but reported that the central wire system that makes the break light and signal work are defective and that the issue will continue given that the cables may move every time I close and open and close my truck as the cables run through there. This is a mayor safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11580639

The high voltage battery no longer charges to full. Only 7 out of 8 possible indicator bars are illuminated, the car now only shows 17-20 miles available. When I purchased the car 3 years ago, it showed 28-29 miles available. Car was at Audi dealership, got tested, Audi says it's within tolerance. I disagree, 30% to 40% of the capacity is lost so far. There are many more owners that are reporting the same issue on the Facebook Audi A3 group.

NHTSA ODI 11560571

“Transmission Malfunction/no reverse gear. Okay to continue driving” comes on constantly the past 2 years now. I’ve only had this vehicle 3 years. Yes , it is available for inspection. This puts my safety and the safety of my other passengers at risk because my vehicle will abruptly slow down in fast flowing traffic and it will uncontrollably accelerate when it’s time to come to complete stops. A local mechanic used a sensor to check for faulty defects and confirmed that my transmission is having sensor issues. There has never been any warning lamps , regarding this problem. There have been no prior warning messages regarding this issue. I purchased this vehicle from Audi Dealership in Van Nuys, CA in November 2020. I have had this vehicle less than 3 years & as of now , it has less than 35,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI 11538951

While driving on highway 59 my vehicle began to jerk. I tried to accelerate and the vehicle would ramp but not move fast. My check engine light came on as well as the error code “transmission malfunction you continue to drive until engine is off.” After getting out of Houston, Texas rush hour traffic, I had my vehicle towed to a mechanic. The mechanic ran several tests and checked the engine. Upon diagnosing the vehicle, the scan tools gave a myriad of fault code relating to electrical valve faults. All of which clear when driving the vehicle again. The mechanic informed me the transmission was not the issue but the mechatronic system had failed due to a faulty part. The mechanic said the issue could be repaired but would likely occur again as Audi as a history of faulty mechatronic systems. The mechanic called an Audi dealership who stated Audi’s mechatronic control unite has not yet resolved the root cause failure at factory level, meaning all replacements and repair kit components still have the underlying defects that will cause malfunction, usually outside the short one-year manufacturer warranty. I believe Audi manufacturer knows their cars still have a defective part hence why an extended warranty on the mechatronic system is offered. Also, Audi vehicles made in 2016 were recalled due to a defective mechatronic system. My vehicle was made in early 2017. I called the Audi dealership to make them aware of the safety and they ignored me, and tried to sell me another vehicle. This is my second safety issue with Audi vehicles, the first being an expulsion safety issue. There is no way I am purchasing another Audi.

NHTSA ODI 11502272

Passenger air bag light intermittently comes on after starts. Car has been showing exact symptoms from the PODS recall since I bought it in May, and I’ve tried to have this fixed by 3 separate Audi dealerships, and none of them have been able to fix it. At this point, this recall has now been active for over a year and a half, and I think it is absolutely ridiculous to have a non-functioning passenger seat in a “practical” hatchback. Thus, at this point, I would like to escalate this further and potentially fight for a buyback, as this is a recall that both devalues the car AND puts my passenger (and potentially myself, as this one fault has most likely disabled the entire SRS; granted I don’t want to find out for myself) at risk. The “no-passenger” fix would have worked for 30-ish days while Audi worked for a fix, but 1.5 years is ABSOLUTELY UNREASONABLE and totally ridiculous for a $50,000+-MSRP luxury vehicle from the Volkswagen Audi Group.

NHTSA ODI 11487560

Tied to recall 69BY Dealership continues to say parts are not available.

NHTSA ODI 11418885

THE VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED PREVIOUSLY AND CONFIRMED FIXED BY AUDI UNDER RECALL 69Z4 FOR THE OCCUPANT SENSOR. THE AIRBAG, SEATBELT, AUDI PRESENSE ERROR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AT TIMES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER AN OCCUPANT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT GOING ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. THE VEHICLE IS ELIGIBLE TO BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER IT APPEARS THEIR ORIGINAL FIX UNDER THE RECALL WAS NOT ADEQUATE IN RESOLVING THE OCCUPANT AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT AND POSES A SAFETY HAZARD TO PASSENGERS IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO TURN OFF WHILE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER A RECENT DIAGNOSTIC THE CODES THAT APPEARED ARE SIMILAR TO WHAT WOULD OCCUR PRIOR TO AUDI'S "FIX" TO THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11389918

REGARDLESS OF FRONT SEAT PASSENGER PRESENCE: 'PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF', 'SEATBELT OFF', AND 'PRE SENSE OFF' WARNING MESSAGES ILLUMINATE AT CAR START, RESTART, DRIVE, PARK, RESTART, REPEAT. UNABLE TO CLEAR WARNINGS. ALSO APPEARS IN VEHICLE DASH WARNING SYSTEM. STARTED NOTICING INTERMITTENTLY AFTER AIRBAG RECALL ADDRESSED, NOT SURE IF EXACT DATE. NOW, THE MALFUNCTION IS CONSTANT.

NHTSA ODI 11365758

PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE WHILE PASSENGER IS SEATED. NUMEROUS ERROR CODES WILL FLASH ON DASH. CAR ON HIGHWAY, IN MOTION.AFTER A FEW MINUTES, LIGHT WILL TURN OFF AND ERROR CODES DISAPPEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11354557