DecodedCars2017 Audi A3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- Cabriolet, Sedan 2.0 Tfsi, Sportback E-Tron
- Engines
- 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 186–220 hp
- Transmission
- automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 34 combined · 33 city / 36 hwy
- Length
- 169.7–175.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,362–3,616 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 34 MPG combined — 26% better than the average 2017 compact car (26.9 MPG).
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- 5 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 19 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2017 Audi A3 is a compact car offered with 2 engines (1.4L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version 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 34 MPG combined (33 city / 36 highway), 26% better than the 2017 compact car average of 26.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2017
- Engine dropped: 1.8L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 39 to 34
- Lightest version 187 lb heavier
Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 A3 →
Trims, performance & features
Engine186–220 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Engine204 hp1.4L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid
Transmissionautomatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows
Trims
Premiumquattro Premiumquattro Premium Pluse-tron Premium Pluse-tron Prestige
Safety & driver-assist features
Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringSome trims
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Parking assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamStandard
Keyless startSome trims
Built in: Gyor, Hungary · Ingolstadt, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2017 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 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 |
| Sportback E-Tron | 169.7 in | 70.5 in | 56.3 in | 103.9 in | 60.6 / 59.4 in | 3,616 lb | 55/45 |
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 e-tron Plug-in Hybrid | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 33 / 36 / 34 | +26% | $2,400 | 158 |
| A3 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 35 / 29 | +26% | $2,300 | 303 |
| A3 Cabriolet | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 34 / 28 | +22% | $2,400 | 316 |
| A3 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 31 / 27 | +17% | $2,500 | 330 |
| A3 Cabriolet quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | +9% | $2,700 | 359 |
10/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
10/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $3,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.9 MPG2017 Compact Cars average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 Audi A3.
Similar 2017 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Audi A3 (this car) | 34 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2017 BMW 3 Series | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2017 Lexus IS | 26 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2017 Audi A5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2017 Volvo S60 | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2017 BMW X1 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2017 BMW 2 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (5)
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine · Aug 16, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V508000 · 8,383 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 engine stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24DF.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Mar 22, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V196000 · 11,618 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- If the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q3.
Not every 2017 Audi A3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
71Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
42,800 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2017 Audi A3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 28 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 16 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.
- Engine — 14 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 42,800 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 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 |
| 2016 A3 | 39 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 6 | 121 |
| 2015 A3 | 35 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 7 | 176 |
| 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 →