2007 Audi A3 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Good

Ranks 7th of 16 A3 years we score.

Owner complaints: 52; 28 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 34.7; 6,920 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.92×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 7; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 3
NHTSA crash rating: –

← 2006 A3 2008 A3 →

Should You Buy the 2007 Audi A3?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2007 Audi A3 is 71 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 7th of the 16 A3 years we score.

The most reported problem is the dual-clutch transmission, mostly harsh or delayed shifts (12 of 52 complaints). Owners also complain about the timing chain or camshaft. 7 of the 52 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 3 recalls. Audi also offers three warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the engine and airbags. For comparison, the 2006 scores 61 and the 2008 scores 68.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about the warranty extension for intake runner control motor and PCV valve faults and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 71
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
3 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

Dual-clutch transmission: harsh or delayed shifts12 complaints
Timing chain or camshaft: parts breaking or coming apart2 complaints

How the 2007 A3 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.80×	−15
Everyday problems	1.2×	−8
Problems in the last two years	Not counted	–
Recalls	0.92×	−6
Score		71

Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2007 A3. If it were exactly average, its 6,920 cars would draw about 0.3 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.

What Owners Report

We read all 52 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 Audi A3, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Dual-clutch transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
12 complaints (23%)
Harsh or delayed shifts, slipping and surging. 8 of these 12 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 64,000 miles.
Timing chain or camshaft: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (4%)
Parts breaking or coming apart. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.

Reported Once (9)

Show the 9 problems reported once

PCV valve or crankcase breather failure
Uneven tire wear: early wear
Engine: rough running or misfires
Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
Intake manifold or runner flaps: warning lights
Stall (cause not stated)
Tires: unusual noises
Transmission fluid leak
Valve train: damage

How the 2007 Audi A3 Compares With Other Years

The other A3 years of the 2nd generation (8P), 2006 to 2013, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2013	Good	71	0.99×	29.4	3	Dual-clutch transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
2012	Good	76	0.60×	18.0	4	Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage
2011	Caution	68	1.2×	42.1	4	Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage
2010	Avoid	57	3.1×	84.2	5	Fuel pump: parts breaking or coming apart
2009	Caution	60	2.3×	77.7	5	Dual-clutch transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
2008	Caution	68	1.2×	37.4	3	Dual-clutch transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
2007 This year	Good	71	0.92×	34.7	3	Dual-clutch transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
2006	Caution	61	2.2×	71.3	4	Dual-clutch transmission: failure or loss of drive

See every A3 year

2007 Audi A3 Recalls

Three recalls cover the 2007 Audi A3. The most recent was issued in January 2018: “Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2018
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.
NHTSA 18V082000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 30, 2018. By the third quarter of 2020, 75% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, February 2016
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.
NHTSA 16V079000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 10, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 40% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Tank Ventilation Valve
The closing force of an internal spring of the fuel tank ventilation valve is not adequate enough to hold the valve closed under extreme driving conditions possibly allowing fuel to leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire could occur.
NHTSA 09V377000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 30, 2009.

2007 Audi A3 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has three warranty extensions and one service campaign for the 2007 Audi A3, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the engine and airbags. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extension
Intake runner control motor and PCV valve faults
The problem:
Under certain conditions the intake manifold runner control motor and the PCV valve can work poorly. Fault codes may then turn on the check engine light.
The fix:
An Audi dealer runs a diagnosis scan and replaces the intake runner control motor and the PCV valve for free if needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2.0 TFSI cars: 2006 A4, 2007 to 2009 A4 and A4 Cabriolet, 2006 to 2008 A3, and 2008 and 2009 TT. Other causes of the warning light and damage from tuned engine computers are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extension
PCV valve fault with check engine light
The problem:
Under certain conditions the positive crankcase ventilation, or PCV, valve can work poorly. Fault codes may then turn on the check engine light.
The fix:
An Audi dealer runs a diagnosis scan and replaces the PCV valve for free if needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2.0 TFSI cars: 2006 to 2008 A3, 2006 to 2009 A4, 2007 to 2009 A4 Cabriolet, 2008 and 2009 TT, 2009 to 2011 TTS. Other causes of the warning light and damage from tuned engine computers are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-04
Takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure
The problem:
The driver or passenger Takata airbag inflator can fail from a defect. This extension is for cars in the Takata inflator recall.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the inflators and replaces a failed inflator for free. Inoperable or totaled cars and salvage, rebuilt or flood titles are not covered.
Who qualifies:
Cars in the Takata recall. After the main term, coverage lasts 75,000 miles from the recall repair or a time limit, whichever is greater: November 10, 2023, or 2 years if repaired after November 10, 2021.
Coverage:
10 years from the recall repair or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first. Then a further period applies.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Service campaignAudi 24T3
Intake runner control motor replaced before failure
The problem:
The intake runner control motor, also called the intake manifold flap actuator, may fail on 2.0 TFSI engines built in a certain period. The campaign aims to prevent this.
The fix:
An Audi dealer checks the motor's part number. If it does not match the numbers Audi lists, the dealer fits the new part.
Who qualifies:
2.0 TFSI cars in set VIN ranges: 2006 to 2008 A3 and A4, 2007 and 2008 A4 Cabriolet, 2008 TT. The campaign must still be open on the car's VIN.
Coverage:
Free while the car is still within the intake runner motor warranty extension. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2007 A3, from its three recalls, three Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2018 NHTSA 18V082000
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, February 2016 NHTSA 16V079000
Fuel Tank Ventilation Valve NHTSA 09V377000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

Intake runner control motor and PCV valve faults
PCV valve fault with check engine light
AWA-22-04: takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure

On the Test Drive

Accelerate gently from a stop and again at 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, slipping or harsh shifts are warning signs. Ask for the transmission fluid records.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Dual-clutch transmission
Timing chain or camshaft
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes and transmission fluid changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A3 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.