Makes›Audi›A3›2011

2011 Audi A3

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

Audi A3
Pictured: Audi A3 8Y Sedan IMG 5936. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Station Wagons
Body styles
4dr Hatch 2.0 T FWD/2.0 Tdi, 4dr Hatch 2.0t Quattro
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
140–200 hp
Transmission
automatic
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
3,064–3,461 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 31% better than the average 2011 small station wagon (24.4 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 2011 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 3,064 lb (4dr Hatch 2.0 T FWD/2.0 Tdi).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (29 city / 37 highway), 31% better than the 2011 small station wagon average of 24.4 MPG, for an estimated $3,000 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2011

  • Lightest version 198 lb lighter

Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 A3 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine140–200 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissionautomatic
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

PremiumPremium Plusquattro Premiumquattro Premium Plus

Built in: Ingolstadt, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2011 A3 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Hatch 2.0 T FWD/2.0 Tdi168.9 in68.5 in55.9 in101.6 in59.8 / 58.3 in3,064 lb60/40
4dr Hatch 2.0t Quattro168.9 in68.5 in55.9 in101.6 in59.8 / 58.3 in3,461 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A3 Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive29 / 37 / 32+31%$3,000318
A32.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 24-2%$3,400370
A32.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 28 / 24-2%$3,400370
A3 quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive21 / 28 / 24-2%$3,400370
Spend $3,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24.4 MPG2011 Small Station Wagons average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Audi A3.

Similar 2011 small station wagons

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2011 Audi A3 (this car)32 MPGNot rated4
2011 Volvo V5024 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Dec 4, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V862000 · 226 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2011 Audi A3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

30Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
70,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags20
Electrical System3
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Exterior Lighting3
Engine2
Structure1
Power Train1
Steering1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/04: 115/10: 115/12: 116/05: 116/06: 116/08: 316/09: 116/12: 117/01: 117/02: 117/03: 317/04: 117/07: 117/11: 118/08: 118/10: 318/11: 119/02: 119/05: 220/01: 121/07: 223/03: 115/0416/0516/0917/0217/0718/1019/0523/03max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2011 Audi A3 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 20 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 3 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 70,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Audi A3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other A3 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 A328–Not rated00
2026 A328177.2 inNot rated02
2025 A328177.2 inNot rated05
2024 A332177.2 inNot rated02
2023 A332177.2 inNot rated27
2022 A332177.2 inNot rated69
2020 A330175.6 in★★★★★317
2019 A329175.6 in★★★★★415
2018 A336174.8 in★★★★★745
2017 A334174.8 inNot rated571
2016 A339174.8 in★★★★★6121
2015 A335174.8 in★★★★★7176

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →