2022 AUDI A3

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
âš ī¸Elevated Concerns

The 2022 Audi A3 presents notable reliability concerns primarily related to safety features critical for passenger protection, especially for children. The presence of multiple recalls suggests that potential buyers should exercise caution and ensure that necessary repairs are addressed promptly.

Key Factor:Multiple safety-related recalls

📋Why This Matters

Safety features such as back over prevention systems, child seat anchoring, and properly functioning seat belts are essential for protecting all passengers in the vehicle, especially the most vulnerable - children. Each of these components plays a pivotal role in ensuring safe travels, particularly in everyday scenarios where reversing the car or securing a child's seat correctly can make a significant difference during an accident. The recalls indicate serious manufacturing oversights that could compromise the effectiveness of these systems when they are needed most.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
📊

Expert Analysis

The year-over-year safety trend for the Audi A3 is troubling given the number of recalls within its first model year. This pattern reflects a concerning risk profile that potential buyers and current owners should remain vigilant about, particularly in relation to child safety and overall passenger protection.

Safety & Reliability Score

37/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-48
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-10

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2022 AUDI A3

Model Year2022
MakeAUDI
ModelA3
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Scroll for more →
Feb13
ISSUEFirst Report
Jan22
NEWProduction
Jan22
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan22
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan22
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan22
RECALLRecall Issued
Feb22
RECALLRecall Issued
Jun22
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
✅

No Consumer Complaints Reported

Great news! There are currently no consumer complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2022 AUDI A3. This is a positive indicator of owner satisfaction.

đŸ› ī¸ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

BACK OVER PREVENTIONCHILD SEATSEAT BELTSAIR BAGSEQUIPMENT

đŸŽ¯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Back Over Prevention System

Issue: Software error may prevent rear-view image from displaying when reversing.

✅

Ensure software updates are applied immediately to rectify visibility issues.

🔍

Verify that all recall repairs have been completed regarding rear visibility before purchasing.

Campaign:21V256000
2

Child Seat Anchorage System

Issue: Incorrect marking on child seat anchorage fittings may lead to improper installation.

✅

Confirm proper use of child restraints according to updated guidelines after repair.

🔍

'Check with the dealer for correct markings on child seat anchorages before making a decision.'

Campaign:22V129000
3

Seat Belt Tensioner

Issue: 'Inadequate retention force may not restrain occupants effectively during a crash.'

✅

'Promptly check with your dealer to confirm if repairs have been made.'

🔍

'Request confirmation from the dealership about any completed repairs related to seat belts.'

Campaign:22V131000
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your AUDI dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (6)

Campaign: 21V825000

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Campaign: 22V224000

CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR

Summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 A3 Sedan and S3 Sedan vehicles. The child seat anchorage fitting sleeves are incorrectly marked with a different symbol than the one described in the owner's manual. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Consequence

An incorrectly marked child restraint anchorage may cause confusion during child seat installation, resulting in a child seat being improperly secured and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace all four fitting sleeves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May24, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72M7.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Campaign: 22V515000

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

Summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Audi S3 and A3 sedans. The retention force of the seat belt tensioner on the driver and front passenger seats may be inadequate to properly restrain the occupants during a crash.

Consequence

Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 68i2.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Campaign: 22V652000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Audi S3, A3, and RS3 vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been folded incorrectly.

Consequence

An incorrectly folded air bag can tear, prohibiting it from deploying properly during a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69DZ.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Campaign: 22V806000

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:VIDEO (TOUCH)SCREEN/MONITOR/UNIT

Summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Campaign: 22V823000

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

Summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Golf R A8, Audi S3, RS3 Sedan, Q4 E-Tron SUV, A3 Sedan, and 2022-2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI, and ID4 vehicles. The rearview camera image may be blank or unresponsive when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear or when the park function is manually activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners February 14, 2023. Volkswagen owners will receive an owner notification letter once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Volkswagen) 91EK and (Audi) 91EL.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

NHTSA Investigations

2 investigations

Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2022 A3.

INV-2022-1000đŸŸĸ Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding A3 performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 25,584
INV-2022-1001đŸŸĸ Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding A3 performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 11,887

Consumer Complaints

0 complaints
✓

No consumer complaints recorded for this vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

'What common safety issues should I know about with the 2022 Audi A3?'

'The 2022 Audi A3 has multiple recalls focusing on critical safety components like back over prevention systems and child seat anchorages. It's essential for potential owners to verify whether these issues have been resolved before driving off with their new vehicle.'

'How do recent recalls affect my decision to buy a used 2022 Audi A3?'

'Given the number of recalls associated with this model year, it's crucial to conduct thorough research on any specific vehicle's recall history and ensure all necessary repairs have been completed. Prioritizing safety features will help guarantee peace of mind while transporting your family.'

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 6 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your AUDI dealer.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in AUDI's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
🛒

If You're Buying Used

  • Critical: Demand official documentation showing every AUDI recall has been satisfied.
  • Investigate whether later A3 iterations (2023+) rectified these persistent issues.
  • A pre-purchase inspection by a AUDI specialist is mandatory given the recorded failure patterns.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

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Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.