2015 Audi A3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Body styles
- Cabriolet, Sedan 1.8 Tfsi/2.0tdi, Sedan 2.0 Tfsi
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 170–220 hp
- Transmission
- automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Diesel, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 35 combined · 31 city / 41 hwy
- Length
- 174.8–175.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,175–3,583 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 7 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 48% better than the average 2015 subcompact car (23.7 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints176 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 19 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
- 7 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2015 Audi A3 is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 1.8L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 175 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,583 lb (Cabriolet).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 35 MPG combined (31 city / 41 highway), 48% better than the 2015 subcompact car average of 23.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,750 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 176 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2015
- New body dimensions: 5.9 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 1.8L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 32 to 35
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Compared with 2013; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2013 A3 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Gyor, Hungary
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2015 A3 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabriolet | 174.8 in | 70.9 in | 53.5 in | 102.4 in | 60.6 / 59.4 in | 3,583 lb | 60/40 |
| Sedan 1.8 Tfsi/2.0tdi | 175.6 in | 70.9 in | 55.9 in | 103.9 in | 61.4 / 60.2 in | 3,175 lb | 60/40 |
| Sedan 2.0 Tfsi | 175.6 in | 70.9 in | 55.9 in | 103.9 in | 61.4 / 60.2 in | 3,362 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 / 41 / 35 | +48% | $2,750 | 292 |
| A3 Cabriolet | 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 35 / 28 | +18% | $2,950 | 314 |
| A3 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 33 / 27 | +14% | $3,050 | 323 |
| A3 | 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 33 / 27 | +14% | $3,050 | 328 |
| A3 Cabriolet quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | +10% | $3,150 | 334 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Audi A3 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.9% |
| 2015 Audi A3 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.9% |


Similar 2015 subcompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Audi A3 (this car) | 35 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2015 BMW 3 Series | 36 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2015 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2015 Audi A5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2015 BMW i8 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2015 Volvo S60 | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2015 BMW X1 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (7)
Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 14, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V110000 · 261,257 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen 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.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. 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 VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Mar 22, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V198000 · 153,152 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Jun 19, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V474000 · 138,896 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Apr 26, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V280000 · 2,091 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Audi A3 1.8T FWD S tronic and 2.0T Quattro S tronic vehicles. The safety certification label has an incorrect vehicle production date. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle safety recall, an incorrect production date may prevent owners from determining if the recall affects them, increasing their risk of injury or a crash.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install an overlay label containing the correct vehicle production date, free of charge. The recall June 23, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51F5.
Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 7, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V647000 · 110,042 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system.
- Risk
- As fuel accumulates in the EVAP system, it may leak out through the charcoal canister filter element. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298, Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 20Y6 and 20Y5. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 24V-110.
Seats · Dec 8, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V824000 · 904 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, LLC (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet vehicles manufactured June 5, 2014, to April 1, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driver or front passenger seat whose cover may be incorrectly stitched, preventing the side air bag from properly deploying in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- Improper side air bag deployment may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's and/or front passenger's seatback cover, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on February 4, 2016. The recall began on February 29, 2016 . Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74C9.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Apr 17, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V229000 · 6,205 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Golf, and GTI manufactured on February 17, 2014, to May 22, 2014, and Audi A3 manufactured on February 16, 2013, to April 23, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle will not start, or if the engine is running, it will stop and the vehicle will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any affected fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi at 1-800-253-2834.
Not every 2015 Audi A3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2015 Audi A3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 83 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 24 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 22 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 45,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Audi A3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other A3 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 A3 | 28 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 A3 | 28 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 A3 | 28 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 5 |
| 2024 A3 | 32 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 A3 | 32 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 7 |
| 2022 A3 | 32 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 9 |
| 2020 A3 | 30 | 175.6 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 17 |
| 2019 A3 | 29 | 175.6 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 15 |
| 2018 A3 | 36 | 174.8 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 45 |
| 2017 A3 | 34 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 5 | 71 |
| 2016 A3 | 39 | 174.8 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 121 |
| 2013 A3 | 32 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 16 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →