general problems of the 2017 Audi A3

In August 2025, my 2017 Audi A3 (VIN [xxx] ) experienced repeated stalling, strong gasoline odors inside the cabin, and a check engine light immediately after Audi completed recall-related service. The safety issue was later confirmed by the dealership to be caused by a failed suction jet pump (NHTSA recall 24v110), which allowed fuel to enter the evap system and leak into the rear seat area and cabin. The leak was so severe that the rear seat and flooring had to be replaced due to fuel saturation. Before the problem was properly identified, I was repeatedly told the issue was “just the gas cap,” despite reporting fuel smell, rapid fuel loss after filling the tank, and the check engine light. During this time, I unknowingly drove a vehicle with a significant fire hazard. The cabin fumes caused physical symptoms and unsafe driving conditions. I was not notified of this recall at the time I purchased the vehicle in March 2022, nor was I notified of a second recall affecting the passenger occupant detection system (69by), despite having purchased a one-year maintenance warranty. I only became aware of the recalls after experiencing the hazardous symptoms described above. The problem was confirmed and reproduced by the Audi dealership. Fuel odor, fuel loss, and warning lights first appeared within 24 hours after the initial service visit, and the safety defect was later linked to the recall-related component failure. This defect presented a serious risk of fire and exposure to gasoline fumes to both myself and other road users. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The car started having issues around February 2024. The car first started misfiring and dying at stops which was a safety issue. When parked I noticed that there was an excessive amount of fuel that started coming out of the charcoal canister, another problem that could have resulted in the car catching on fire. The car could not be filled up with more fuel as there was pressurized fuel coming out through the fuel filler neck when the cap was removed. The problem was determined to be related to the currently active recall. I waited for 5 months for there to be a fix for the recall without being able to use the vehicle. I finally got tired of waiting and had my mechanic repair it. The fuel tank and charcoal canister were replaced and the old parts are available for inspection by interested authorities upon request. The car is now fully functional again after replacement of those components.

The vehicle cabin started to smell like gas and the car would not accept fuel into the tank. Took to Audi/vw independent repair shop where they indicated fuel jet pump in gas tank was not working properly and that it had flooded various components with fuel (charcoal cannister, etc. ). Directed us not to drive as it was a fire danger and said that we should send to Audi to see if they would cover this under warranty as it was a major emissions and safety problem. Towed to Audi dealer in dallas. Dallas Audi dealer indicated this sounded like exactly what had happened for a recall issued for 2016 A3s. I learned this was subject to a warranty extension. Am working with the dealer who is trying to determine if that applies. Regardless, this is my daughter's car and a fuel leak with fumes in the cabin is a danger that should be fixed by recall.

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.

Was trying to fill up my car at the gas station. The car would not accept any fuel. Frustrated, I went to try another gas station. Same thing happened. Went home to check and see what the problem was and gas started spewing out of the gas tank from where you fill it up with gas. Car (to my knowledge) has never been overfilled, by me. This is apparently a problem with the 2017 vw golf's as well (which run on the same platform as my Audi A3). It is a problem that most people are saying could be the charcoal canister prematurely dying, or a suction pump dying, which is supposed to last the lifetime of the vehicle.

On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 my vehicle began having a hard time accelerating, then my vehicle started leaking out gas from the back of the vehicle located in front of the rear passenger tire. I then took the vehicle to Audi west houston to have a diagnosis. After a day and a half, Audi misdiagnosed my vehicle with ethanal composition too high and recommended that the gas tank be drain. I then took my car to an independent mechanic who replaced the fuel pump. On the way to the independent mechanic for a second opinion, the check engine light surface. I then stopped at the gas station to put gas in the vehicle, but the vehicle would not take fuel even though after the fuel pump repair, the car was still misfiring and gas was still leaking from the rear of the vehicle and gas fumes would be smelled from inside the car. The charcoal canister of the vehicle was changed with oem parts. The vehicle's sending units were pulled and the fuel level was tested. The vehicle's leak defection pump was then inspected for the fuel intrusion and were not obstructed. The vehicle again began leaking fuel. The purge and vent valves of the vehicle were working properly and the vent filter was wet with fuel. The fuel was being pushed into the charcoal canister from an internal valving issue inside the fuel tank. The independent mechanic then called an authorized Audi dealership who acknowledged similar problems in Audi vehicles. The authorized Audi dealership deemed the car unsafe to drive and suggested that the independent mechanic park the vehicle outside of the mechanic shop because a simply spark could cause the vehicle to easily caught on fire. Audi also acknowledged that there are no available parts for the car as all of them are on indefinitely on backorder. The car is not only an emission issue but also a safety issue with not feasible solution. Furthermore, I live in texas during an unpredictable drought, even the weather could cause the vehicle to spontaneously combust in flames.

2017 Audi A3 etron sportsback- engine light turned on at 50k, when scanned for errors no codes. Then around 55k miles started to stall when slowing down or at a full stop. The car must be turned off then immediately go into drive. Felt very dangerous when driving in high traffic areas and areas with many stop lights/signs. Car error say transmission malfunction first then says something about limited power. We had changed atf and filter, still had issues. Then it started to not allow to go into reverse. Issues were intermittently happening then became more constant. Finally towed to Audi dealer they are not 100% but they say a new transmission is needed. After seeing complaints of similar situation I think this should be a recall on the transmission for these cars.

Vehicle tank was almost empty. Was unable to fill the tank because the gas station pump stopped constantly without being full. Took 15 minutes to fill the tank. Fuel came out of my tank and a very unpleasant fuel odor came into the car. When arrived home gasoline came out of the tank again, a significant amount of fuel came out. Fortunately the car didn't catch fire. Took it to a mechanic and the gasoline pump valve was replaced. This valve is under the rear seats. No recall available for my car for this issue. I was told that vw/Audi knows well about this issue but they didn't include all VIN numbers on this recall. I ended paying $140 for this repair.

Engine stalls while accelerating from a stop. This condition has been dangerous. Car has been to the Audi dealer 3 times to remedy the problem. That cannot diagnose the issue. It is going in for a 4th time April 12th 2021. This issue is extremely dangerous. The car will lose power and stall as you are pulling out into traffic. Happens daily.

2017 Audi A3 sedan- with around 47,000 miles -stalled out in drive thru and at a red light intersection. Twice. Almost got in 2 accidents while driving once on the highway and once on a city road. Engine light on dash was blinking. Code reader initially was reading p0300, p0301 and p0302 . . Multiple cylinder misfires. Towed car to Audi, and they did complete maintenance service. Ran codes and now all of the sudden it need a new transmission and the code is p0172 bank 1 system too rich. I noticed there was a recall for the the engine control unit (ecu) software and which can affect air / fuel mixture which makes me think that this recall was probably the cause, because po172 code can be due to the air/ fuel mixture getting too far from factory specs. My car has been at the dealership for 6 weeks, the transmission was finally replaced by Audi but they are still saying that I need a new fuel canister (there was a recall for this in 2016, and my car was manufactured in 2016 but is a 2017 model) ? I have seen several other 2017 Audi A3 sedan owner complaints having this issue with very similar problem on this website and other websites. I was under warranty until 1/25/2021, but I live 2 hours away and I was under quarantine so booked appointment locally (I think on 1/22/2021 with Volkswagen but scheduling was a week out and on appointment date their entire service department was out because of covid outbreak by that time it was too late even though I have a time and date stamped video of the car having issues.

When driving off after starting the vehicle, the car starts jerking and �knocking� and stalls/turns off. This happens almost everyday as I reverse out of my drive way and drive forward. Extremely unsafe! does not show check engine light or any other lights.

My car after starting (with engine either cool or warm) will stall at times when I'm going2-3 mph. I have stalled at intersections. I go to put my foot on the gas and the car will sputter and stall. It will then restart with a little difficulty though starts back up. There are no icons that illuminate on the dashboard with any problem. There are no check engine lights or battery lights that are going off.

I purchased this vehicle for my 18 year old daughter as a parent you want to have you child as safe as possible. The vehicle is anything but safe. As a matter of fact it's an accident waiting to happen. Or worst a fatality. The vehicle while driving just turns off. It wasn't even a month into owning the brand new vehicle that issues started to arise. While reversing out of a parking spot, the vehicle stopped without any warning. About 4 weeks later, while entering the expressway,once again the vehicle without warning completely turn off. By a miracle of god my daughter did not get into an accident. A very dangerous situation as many other vehicles are driving at high speeds. On 3/31/17 the vehicle was take to the collection,where they could not tell me exactly what the problem was since they themselves had no clue. But they did tell me that there was definitely a problem since when they connected the vehicle to the computer it gave sporadic error codes. I was told that Audi corporate office was contacted and they advised the collection to inspect the fuel system and hose, electrical wiring, and vehicle program all of which I was told was done. On 4/27/17 another incident occurred. While at a traffic light, making a left hand turn, the vehicle stopped. The vehicle behind my daughter was also turning right behind her and almost rear ended her since even the brake lights were not working t. In the middle of the traffic intersection, the vehicle was not responding to the shifting of gears or to the accelerator. At this point that vehicle was not responding at all leaving my daughter stranded in the middle of oncoming cars and agitated drivers around her. The collection had the vehicle towed back to their shop where it has been ever since. No one, not even Audi's corporate head engineer has been able to figure out what is wrong with the vehicle.