Speed Control & Air bag issues are among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
The 2020 Audi A3 is a smaller car in the lineup. It’s hailed as one that “delivers uncompromising performance.” However, current customers struggle with the defective air bags and malfunctioning vehicle speed control system.
Click on another model year to view more problems: 2019 2022
Having functional air bags is considered a given when driving any newer model, yet this A3 seems to have a legitimate struggle.
One NHTSA complaint reads, “The contact owns a 2020 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag alarm would chime intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made the dealer aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer informed the contact to latch the front passenger’s seat belt latch at all times. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
The recall being referenced in the complaint affects more than 153,000 vehicles. With this recall, it’s clear that the passenger side air bag isn’t providing the protection a luxury car should. In fact, with these defects in mind, it might have been better for customers to buy something a little cheaper. They could have had a safer vehicle and some extra spending money for a rainy day. All they got now is an expensive death trap.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | |
| Electrical System | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Seat Belts | |
| Structure:body | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Wheels |
Another issue comes down to safety as well. There are a ton of complaints about the vehicle speed control system in the 2020 A3.
Here’s one more NHTSA complaint. “The contact owns a 2020 Audi A3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently come to a complete stop as the brake, air bag, and seat belt warning lights would appear on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that while her husband was driving the vehicle 35 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently as the steering wheel locked. The vehicle hit a railing and the airbags did not deploy upon impact. Her husband did not receive any medical attention after the accident. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it remained in their possession. The contact also stated that the ECM module was defective and would not properly track her vehicle’s mileage. Prior to the accident, the contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they offered no assistance for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure prior to the accident and was offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.”
Besides merely having safety-related concerns, the A3 has some mechanical defects worth looking at too. In fact, there have been lawsuits alleging that Audi didn’t disclose that the water pump module was defective. It would fail prematurely and lead to an overheating engine. When not repaired immediately, the engine would fail, making the A3 a pricey lawn ornament. However, at least it is safer when it isn’t on the road being a menace.
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Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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