Audi A3 etron problems

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The Audi e-tron is a series of electric and hybrid cars shown by Audi from 2009 onwards. In 2012 Audi unveiled a plug-in hybrid version, the A3 Sportback e-tron, released to retail customers in Europe in August 2014, and slated for the U.S. in 2015. A decade after the unveiling of the first e-tron concept at the 2009 International Motor Show Germany, Audi's first fully electric e-tron SUV went into production in 2019.

The name has also been used on some racing cars.

Production vehicles

Q8 e-tron (2018)

An SUV formerly called the Audi e-tron with a 328 kilometer (204 mile) EPA range and a 95 kWh battery started production in 2018 and was first delivered in 2019. The vehicle is sold in many countries, including the US, Canada and multiple countries in Europe. At the end of September 2019, there were more than 10,000 e-trons registered worldwide.

Audi announced that the facelifted e-tron will be renamed to Audi Q8 e-tron which was revealed on November 9, 2022.

photo of Audi A3 etron car production

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Audi A3 etron model years

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A3 etron 2020
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Common Audi A3 etron problems

The Audi A3 e-tron has been reported to have several common problems by its owners. These problems range from engine control unit software issues to malfunctions in the infotainment system and passenger side airbag.

One of the most frequently reported issues with the Audi A3 e-tron is related to the engine control unit software. This issue can cause the car's engine to misinterpret the engine's flywheel rotation, leading to the car stalling. This can be a significant safety concern, especially when driving at high speeds or in heavy traffic.

Another common problem with the Audi A3 e-tron is related to the rear seat. Some owners have reported that the rear seat can become unstable or even detach from the vehicle while driving. This can be a significant safety concern, especially if there are passengers in the rear seat at the time of the malfunction.

The infotainment system in the Audi A3 e-tron has also been reported to be unintuitive and difficult to use. Some owners have reported that the system can be slow to respond or freeze up entirely, making it difficult to access important vehicle functions such as climate control and audio settings.

The passenger side airbag in the Audi A3 e-tron has also been reported to have issues. Some owners have reported that the airbag may not deploy correctly in the event of a collision, which can be a significant safety concern.

In addition to these issues, some owners have reported problems with the car's TPMS, ESC, and ABS warning lights. These warning lights can indicate a variety of issues with the car's braking and stability systems, and can be a significant safety concern if they are not addressed promptly.

Finally, some owners have reported problems with the car's fuel system. Specifically, some owners have reported issues with the car's charging plug, which can cause the car to use more gasoline than expected. This can be a significant concern for owners who are trying to minimize their carbon footprint or save money on fuel costs.

In summary, the Audi A3 e-tron has been reported to have several common problems, including issues with the engine control unit software, rear seat stability, infotainment system, passenger side airbag, warning lights, and fuel system. These issues can be significant safety concerns, and should be addressed promptly by Audi dealerships and service centers.

Audi A3 etron

Is the Audi A3 e-tron worth buying?

It's very easy to be seduced by the e-tron's upmarket badge, classy cabin and penny-pinching on-paper costs, as well as its punchy performance. However, the hybrid set-up feels less well resolved than rival range-extenders, while the batteries' extra weight blunts the drive.

Why was the A3 e-tron discontinued?

The A3 e-tron, which was Audi's first mass-market plug-in hybrid, hasn't been a huge sales success for the German brand – just 637 were sold in the UK last year – but despite that Audi insists the decision to kill off the car is because of 'procedural changes', and not poor sales.

How long does an Audi A3 e-tron battery last?

While there are overall less frequent maintenance like no more oil changes, you should also know that electric car battery life expectancy is around 10 to 20 years.

What is the electrical problem with the Audi e-tron?

Owners of 2019-2022 Audi e-tron electric crossovers need to watch out: there may be a problem with high-voltage battery modules in some cases, causing the battery to overheat and potentially result in a fire. The company has said it will recall nearly 30,000 units in North America including just over 2,000 in Canada.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Audi A3 etron years

We have researched Audi problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Audi A3 etron cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Audi A3 etron model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Audi A3 etron model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Audi A3 etron years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Audi A3 etron car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Audi A3 etron , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Air bags problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Structure problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Audi A3 etron vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Audi A3 etron . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Audi A3 etron vehicles.

List of Audi A3 etron complaints

Audi A3 etron 2020
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-01-04
  • Date Complaint: 2024-01-17
  • VIN: WA12ABGEXLB
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
  • Summary: Water leaking into interior of vehicle and to the trunk of the vehicle. Noticed significant water entered and entering into the trunk of the Audi after a recent rain. Also tested the drainage of water when the moonroof is opened and noticed water leaking into the interior. The audi e-tron is an electric vehicle which may have dangerous electrical implications if water leaking into the interior of the vehicle finds it way to the batteries (fire, electrical system failure, etc.). I have already noticed some electrical malfunctions that may be related to the water intrusion. Traffic avoidance sensors deactivated and or compromised while driving during the rain/cold.
Audi A3 etron 2009
  • Date Of Incident: 2017-06-26
  • Date Complaint: 2017-06-26
  • VIN: WAUKF78P19A
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: TAKATA RECALL CALLED DEALER THREE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO SCHEDULE RECALL SERVICE. PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND NO TIMELINE GIVEN. NO REASON TO THINK THIS WILL BE RESOLVED IN A TIMELY MANNER

Latest 5 recalls Audi A3 etron

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the Audi A3 etron.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Audi A3 etron 2016
  • Report Received Date: 2022-07-27
  • Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
  • Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.
  • Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
  • Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.
  • Model: Audi A3 etron 2016
  • Report Received Date: 2021-03-22
  • Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
  • Summary: Volkswagen 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.
  • Consequence: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
  • Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
  • Model: Audi A3 etron 2017
  • Report Received Date: 2021-03-22
  • Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
  • Summary: Volkswagen 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.
  • Consequence: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
  • Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
  • Model: Audi A3 etron 2016
  • Report Received Date: 2019-06-19
  • Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
  • Summary: 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 deactivate the passenger air bag.
  • Consequence: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
  • Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.
  • Model: Audi A3 etron 2017
  • Report Received Date: 2019-06-19
  • Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
  • Summary: 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 deactivate the passenger air bag.
  • Consequence: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
  • Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.

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