DecodedCars2013 Audi A3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.
- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Body styles
- 4dr Hatch 2.0 Tfsi FWD Progressiv/2.0 Tdi, 4dr Hatch 2.0 Tfsi Quattro Progressiv
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 140–211 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
- 3,219–3,461 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 28% better than the average 2013 small station wagon (25 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 2013 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 3,219 lb (4dr Hatch 2.0 Tfsi FWD Progressiv/2.0 Tdi).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (29 city / 37 highway), 28% better than the 2013 small station wagon average of 25 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 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2013
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2012 A3 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 A3 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Ingolstadt, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2013 A3 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Hatch 2.0 Tfsi FWD Progressiv/2.0 Tdi | 168.9 in | 68.5 in | 55.9 in | 101.6 in | 59.8 / 58.3 in | 3,219 lb | 60/40 |
| 4dr Hatch 2.0 Tfsi Quattro Progressiv | 168.9 in | 68.5 in | 55.9 in | 101.6 in | 59.8 / 58.3 in | 3,461 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 (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 37 / 32 | +28% | $3,000 | 318 |
| A3 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | -4% | $3,400 | 376 |
| A3 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | -4% | $3,400 | 381 |
| A3 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | -4% | $3,400 | 385 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Audi A3.
Similar 2013 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Audi A3 (this car) | 32 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2013 Audi Allroad | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2013 Infiniti EX37 | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
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.
Not every 2013 Audi A3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2013 Audi A3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 10 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Vehicle Speed Control — 1 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 58,800 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 2013 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 →