DecodedCars2010 Audi A3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.
- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Body styles
- 4dr Hatch 2.0 T FWD/2.0t Quattro/2.0 Tdi
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Diesel, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 32 combined · 29 city / 37 hwy
- Length
- 168.9 in
- Curb weight
- 3,263 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 32% better than the average 2010 small station wagon (24.3 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2010 Audi A3 is a small station wagon offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 169 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,263 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (29 city / 37 highway), 32% better than the 2010 small station wagon average of 24.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,000 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2010
- New diesel version
- Engine dropped: 3.2L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 24 to 32
Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 A3 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Hatch 2.0 T FWD/2.0t Quattro/2.0 Tdi | 168.9 in | 68.5 in | 55.9 in | 101.6 in | 59.8 / 58.3 in | 3,263 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 37 / 32 | +32% | $3,000 | 318 |
| A3 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | -1% | $3,400 | 370 |
| A3 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | -1% | $3,400 | 370 |
| A3 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | -1% | $3,400 | 370 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Audi A3 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2010 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Audi A3 (this car) | 32 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2010 Volvo V50 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (3)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jan 30, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V082000 · 162,782 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 10, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V079000 · 151,767 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Fuel System, Diesel · Oct 3, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V490000 · 168,275 vehicles
- Problem
- VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.
- Risk
- DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
- Fix
- VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Not every 2010 Audi A3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2010 Audi A3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 13 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Power Train — 4 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 91,450 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Audi A3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other A3 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 A3 | 28 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 A3 | 28 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 A3 | 28 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 5 |
| 2024 A3 | 32 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 A3 | 32 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 7 |
| 2022 A3 | 32 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 9 |
| 2020 A3 | 30 | 175.6 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 17 |
| 2019 A3 | 29 | 175.6 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 15 |
| 2018 A3 | 36 | 174.8 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 45 |
| 2017 A3 | 34 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 5 | 71 |
| 2016 A3 | 39 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 6 | 121 |
| 2015 A3 | 35 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 7 | 176 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →