2015 AUDI A3

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

POWER TRAIN

My 2015 Audi A3 1.8T is experiencing the exact same failure symptoms and operational hazards as those described in Audi’s own Warranty Extension U49, which covers certain 2017 and 2018 Audi A3 and A3 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI models. According to Audi’s bulletin, vehicles with faulty mechatronic units are eligible for replacement under an extended warranty due to safety concerns — sudden loss of drive, vehicle being stuck in neutral, and PRNDS flashing while in traffic. My vehicle is now exhibiting these identical symptoms: (1) Sudden disengagement of all gears while driving when it tries to go to fourth gear. At this point, there is a (2) flashing PRNDS indicator and “Reverse Gear Not Available” message. (3) Loss of ability to accelerate in moving traffic, requiring emergency maneuvers, and halting traffic. (4) Temporary restoration of function after shutting off and restarting the engine, only for the problem to happen again. (5) Check Engine Light. This is a serious safety hazard that puts both the driver and other road users at risk. The only reason my vehicle is excluded from the coverage appears to be its model year (2015), despite the fact that the mechatronic unit and failure mode are identical to the covered 2017–2018 vehicles. I believe Audi overlooked this issue in other year models and, as such, I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate why Audi is limiting this safety-related repair to only certain VIN ranges and model years, when vehicles just a couple of years older are exhibiting the exact same dangerous defect. A sudden loss of propulsion at highway speeds is a serious risk that warrants broader manufacturer accountability. The company should fix this issue as soon as possible.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My 2015 Audi A3 1.8T is experiencing the exact same failure symptoms and operational hazards as those described in Audi’s own Warranty Extension U49, which covers certain 2017 and 2018 Audi A3 and A3 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI models. According to Audi’s bulletin, vehicles with faulty mechatronic units are eligible for replacement under an extended warranty due to safety concerns — sudden loss of drive, vehicle being stuck in neutral, and PRNDS flashing while in traffic. My vehicle is now exhibiting these identical symptoms: (1) Sudden disengagement of all gears while driving when it tries to go to fourth gear. At this point, there is a (2) flashing PRNDS indicator and “Reverse Gear Not Available” message. (3) Loss of ability to accelerate in moving traffic, requiring emergency maneuvers, and halting traffic. (4) Temporary restoration of function after shutting off and restarting the engine, only for the problem to happen again. (5) Check Engine Light. This is a serious safety hazard that puts both the driver and other road users at risk. The only reason my vehicle is excluded from the coverage appears to be its model year (2015), despite the fact that the mechatronic unit and failure mode are identical to the covered 2017–2018 vehicles. I believe Audi overlooked this issue in other year models and, as such, I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate why Audi is limiting this safety-related repair to only certain VIN ranges and model years, when vehicles just a couple of years older are exhibiting the exact same dangerous defect. A sudden loss of propulsion at highway speeds is a serious risk that warrants broader manufacturer accountability. The company should fix this issue as soon as possible.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated and the engine overheated. There was an abnormal sound coming from the transmission. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming abnormal amounts of coolant without signs of a coolant leak. The contact stated that the engine seized. The coolant reservoir was inspected and there was no coolant in the reservoir. While attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact recently replaced the coolant pump, coolant control valve and the expansion tank. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V619000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN, nor the model were included. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

STRUCTURE:BODY

The plastic roof trim panel on my 2015 Audi A3 is peeling and deteriorating significantly. This is not painted metal—it’s a separate, non-paintable plastic component that runs along the sunroof and roofline. The surface began flaking and lifting over time, and multiple independent body shops confirmed the panel is failing structurally and cannot be refinished—it must be replaced. While this may appear cosmetic, it’s not. The panel helps protect the roof seam and substructure. Its failure opens the door to water intrusion, corrosion, and potential roof integrity compromise—a serious safety concern, particularly in the event of a rollover or high-impact collision. Other owners of vehicles built on the same MQB/8V platform—including the VW Golf and SEAT Leon (not sold in the U.S., but structurally similar)—have reported identical issues, often followed by cracking or detachment of the panel. Despite multiple attempts to resolve this, Audi of America has been largely uncooperative. Their warranty process requires a diagnosis from a dealership, but most Audi dealers do not perform bodywork and refer customers to third-party shops—whose assessments Audi then refuses to accept. I’ve been left in a loop with no meaningful support, despite the issue being widespread and well-documented. I believe this is a design or materials defect that should be reviewed before it leads to broader safety or structural failures. See the below URL's for similar issues. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Excuse the shortened URL's, I need to meet your character count. I also cannot seem to upload images (despite being under the file size). I can email them later. I do find it interesting how all the affected cars seem to be blue (or at least darker in color). Perhaps excess heat is causing the issue? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

AIR BAGS

For recall 21V198-69BY, I took my car to Audi of Birmingham on recall. They provided me a service form to show the repair had been made, but my passenger side air bag off light is still on because they didn't make the repair. It wasn't brought to my attention until I took my car for another repair job and the didn't make that repair, either.