2017 Audi A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
5,017 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Wheels: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2017: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11022360 · 2017-09-08 (September 8, 2017)
WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT A DANGEROUS DEFICIENCY IN THE PORTABLE EVSE/CHARGER FOR OUR A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON. IT GETS VERY HOT DURING STANDARD 12- VOLT CHARGING AND IT MIGHT CAUSE A FIRE. I DISCOVERED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THAT ITS OPERATING RANGE HAS A MAXIMUM OF 95 DEGREES F. OUR AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE IN THE CALIFORNIA CENTRAL VALLEY IS REGULARLY ABOVE 95F. IT IS ALSO REGULARLY EXCEEDED IN MANY OTHER US STATES, PLUS THE MIDDLE EAST WHERE AUDI SELLS MANY OF THEIR E-TRONS. OUR PERMANENT EVSE IN OUR GARAGE IS A HIGHER AMPERAGE RATED EVSE AND IT D…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11022360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11219772 · 2019-06-13 (June 13, 2019)
RIGHT FRONT TIRE FLATTENED TWICE IN 6 MONTHS, FROM SLOW DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD. IN THE PRIOR 7 YEARS WITH ANOTHER CAR, THIS NEVER HAPPENED. DEALER DENIES ANY PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE GARAGE FOR 6 MONTHS; I CANNOT RISK BEING STRANDED ON A REMOTE ROAD, AT NIGHT, WITH NO CELL SERVICE AGAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,634 miles reported. Look up ODI 11219772 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V474000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2019-06-19 (June 19, 2019)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V198000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | Air Bags:On-Off Switch Assembly
Reported: 2021-03-22 (March 22, 2021)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 11022360 · 4,400 miWE ARE WORRIED ABOUT A DANGEROUS DEFICIENCY IN THE PORTABLE EVSE/CHARGER FOR OUR A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON. IT GETS VERY HOT DURING STANDARD 12- VOLT CHARGING AND IT MIGHT CAUSE A FIRE. I DISCOVERED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THAT ITS OPERATING RANGE HAS A MAXIMUM OF 95 DEGREES F. OUR AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE IN THE CALIFORNIA CENTRAL VALLEY IS REGULARLY ABOVE 95F. IT IS ALSO REGULARLY EXCEEDED IN MANY OTHER US STATES, PLUS THE MIDDLE EAST WHERE AUDI SELLS MANY OF THEIR E-TRONS. OUR PERMANENT EVSE IN OUR GARAGE IS A HIGHER AMPERAGE RATED EVSE AND IT D… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Tires | 150.0%ODI 10954252 · 2,500 miCONTINENTAL PROCONTACT 225/45R17 91H DOT AF7RWBRD4615 RIGHT FRONT TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT AFTER GOING OVER SMALL DRIVEWAY CURB AT VERY LOW SPEED VEHICLE 2016 AUDI A3 ETRON | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Visibility/Wiper | 150.0%ODI 11019857 · 10,000 miAUDI ETRON SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. WHILE FUTZING WITH THE WINDOWS TRYING TO STOP THE "WOOP WOOP WOOP" AIR PRESSURE THING THAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WINDOWS ARE PARTIALLY OPEN, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT OF THE CAR. SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT, HAPPENED IN A SPLIT SECOND, SCARED THE BEJESUS OUT OF ME. THE ENTIRE CENTER OF THE SUNROOF DISAPPEARED INSTANTLY. THE DEALER SAYS TO REPLACE IT MIGHT TAKE WEEKS, AND COST THOUSANDS. APPARENTLY, THEY HAVE TO REPLACE ALL OF THE GLASS ON THE ROOF, TAKE OFF THE DOORS, AND GUT THE INTERIOR ROOF. ARGH | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Wheels | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 11219772 · 5,634 miRIGHT FRONT TIRE FLATTENED TWICE IN 6 MONTHS, FROM SLOW DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD. IN THE PRIOR 7 YEARS WITH ANOTHER CAR, THIS NEVER HAPPENED. DEALER DENIES ANY PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE GARAGE FOR 6 MONTHS; I CANNOT RISK BEING STRANDED ON A REMOTE ROAD, AT NIGHT, WITH NO CELL SERVICE AGAIN. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | Too few reports for a range | 4,400 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 11022360 · 4,400 miWE ARE WORRIED ABOUT A DANGEROUS DEFICIENCY IN THE PORTABLE EVSE/CHARGER FOR OUR A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON. IT GETS VERY HOT DURING STANDARD 12- VOLT CHARGING AND IT MIGHT CAUSE A FIRE. I DISCOVERED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THAT ITS OPERATING RANGE HAS A MAXIMUM OF 95 DEGREES F. OUR AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE IN THE CALIFORNIA CENTRAL VALLEY IS REGULARLY ABOVE 95F. IT IS ALSO REGULARLY EXCEEDED IN MANY OTHER US STATES, PLUS THE MIDDLE EAST WHERE AUDI SELLS MANY OF THEIR E-TRONS. OUR PERMANENT EVSE IN OUR GARAGE IS A HIGHER AMPERAGE RATED EVSE AND IT D… |
| Wheels | Too few reports for a range | 5,634 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 11219772 · 5,634 miRIGHT FRONT TIRE FLATTENED TWICE IN 6 MONTHS, FROM SLOW DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD. IN THE PRIOR 7 YEARS WITH ANOTHER CAR, THIS NEVER HAPPENED. DEALER DENIES ANY PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE GARAGE FOR 6 MONTHS; I CANNOT RISK BEING STRANDED ON A REMOTE ROAD, AT NIGHT, WITH NO CELL SERVICE AGAIN. |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2017: 2 complaints · 2018: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Electrical System | Wheels |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | — | 0 |
| Wheels | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.