The contact owns a 2013 Audi A3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly went into LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the glow plugs failed to function and became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to several dealers, where it was diagnosed with exhaust system failure. The contact was informed that the exhaust system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
The worst 2013 Audi A3 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags10
- Engine4
- Fuel system3
- Transmission2
- Acceleration1
- Lights1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Audi A3
Recalls 3
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298 or Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
Recall number 19V862000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V‑078.
Recall number 18V082000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834.
Recall number 16V079000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2013 Audi A3 868
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin provides informaiton on the use of the PICO-NVH tool (VAS 611 015).
- This bulletin provides information to aid in diagnosing the vehicle locking system.
- This bulletin provides information when the engine is not runing smoothly; all gas engines.
- This bulletin provides information on VIN plates, Safety Certification labels, and ordering procedures.
- This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has...
- This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
- This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
2013 Audi A3 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl Diesel | FWD | 29 | 37 | 32 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21 | 28-30 | 24 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 21 | 28 | 24 |
What 2013 Audi A3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Car stalled in fast moving traffic, and then lurched forward. In the stall the car behind me almost ran into me. In the lurch, I almost rear ended someone. Fortunate that both times there was no collision. Took the vehicle to Audi and the car has been diagnosed with failed mechatronic - a $4,000 repair. It was shared that this is a known issue with Audi for my model year (faulty mechatronic), and as such has been recalled in several countries, but not the US. I called Audi USA and was informed that yes it is a known issue and has been recalled in other countries, but that the federal safety agency has not required Audi USA to open a recall here, and so they can't help me. I'm asking for some assistance. Thank you very much
Intermittent problems with exterior lighting. I already replaced one of the rear license plate lights (not a bulb issue) and am now experiencing rear passenger side tail light issues where the tail light and directional signal cease working during the driving process and then start working at random. This appears to be a similar electrical issue like the license plate light. The tail light & directional signal failure are dangerous as the failures occur without warning while the car is being driven.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 audi a3. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shifted into first gear without warning. The vehicle was taken to audi temecula (40955 temecula center dr, temecula, ca 92591, (951) 200-8100) where it was diagnosed that the dps filter needed to be replaced; however, the parts to do the repair were not available. The failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 190810653. The failure mileage was approximately 69,500.
Takata recall - dealer informed me the recall part has been unavailable for 1 year and will continue to be unavailable for an additional 2 - 6 months. No recall maintence is able to be scheduled. The risk associated with this recall is death to the driver. Unacceptable.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 audi a3. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v084000 (air bags) and stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to repair the vehicle. The dealer (audi minneapolis, 9393 wyzata blvd, golden valley, mn 55426) confirmed that parts were not available to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 audi a3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Royal automotive group (1525 howard street, san francisco, california, (415) 241-8100) was made aware of the recall and stated that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Takata inflator replacement issue on 12/31/2017 I was driving in los angeles under normal conditions when suddenly there was a hissing noise and some kind of particulate matter spewed from around the steering column where there is a join with the wheel. This was directed at my face for 10-15 seconds which I breathed in as I was driving. I am also "concerned" about the nature and contents of the particulate matter, and, that the airbag might not function properly in an accident or that it might inflate without any reason of its own accord. *tt
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 audi a3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v079000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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.
We have not yet heard from audi or takata when this recall will be performed. Because this car is driven by teenagers, we are very concerned and anxious to get this recall done. Please advise. Thanks, nick p.s. Note that the car was purchased used and was first registered and driven in new jersey from 2013-2016
Compare the 2013 Audi A3
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Questions about the 2013 Audi A3
Is the 2013 Audi A3 reliable?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 2013 Audi A3, fewer than a typical A3 model year.
What is the 2013 Audi A3 year score?
The 2013 Audi A3 scores 86 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Audi A3: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Audi A3?
Airbags, with 10 complaints. Next is engine (4).
How many recalls does the 2013 Audi A3 have?
3 recalls, covering air bags.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Audi A3 get?
Official estimates for the 2013 Audi A3 range from 24 to 32 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl diesel, FWD) gets 29 city and 37 highway.
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