Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

2016 vs 2017 AUDI A3

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 119 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 40.5% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 2016 share 2017 share Share change
AIR BAGS 30.0% 11.4% ▼ 18.6 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 18.8% 27.3% ▲ 8.5 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 3.8% 11.4% ▲ 7.6 pts larger share
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE not reported 6.8% ▲ 6.8 pts larger share
ENGINE 12.5% 6.8% ▼ 5.7 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE not reported 2.3% ▲ 2.3 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 2.5% 4.6% ▲ 2.1 pts larger share
LANE DEPARTURE 1.3% not reported ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share
BACK OVER PREVENTION 1.3% not reported ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share
TIRES 1.3% not reported ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 1.3% not reported ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12.5% 13.6% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1.3% 2.3% ▲ 1.0 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1.3% 2.3% ▲ 1.0 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21.3% 20.5% ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

2016 3

Campaign components: AIR BAGS

2017 2

Campaign components: AIR BAGS

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
2 → 0
◆ Injuries
1 → 2