Audi A3
Natural gas turbo engine with 96 kW based on the EA211 evo. Bivalent with petrol reserve tank. Significantly lower fuel costs, but limited filling station network.
Solid everyday engine — does its job
131 hp 1.5L for everyday use. Watch for known weak points.
Engine Weaknesses 5
In CNG operation sporadic misfires occur that are stored as permanent faults by the ECU once a certain frequency is reached. Affects higher mileages.
Symptoms: Rough engine running, overrun cut-off triggers, fault message in instrument cluster, occasional hesitation in gas mode
EA888 Gen4 engines (including DHNF) occasionally show metallic knocking on cold start after extended standstill from delayed oil pressure build-up at the oil pump. Chain tensioner responds with a brief delay.
Symptoms: Brief metallic knocking directly after cold start (2–5 seconds), then normal operation.
The CNG tank does not reach its rated capacity. Workshop visits usually do not permanently resolve the issue; Audi attributes it to ambient temperature and filling station pressure.
Symptoms: Range on gas shorter than expected, tank shows less than rated capacity after filling
As a direct-injection engine with CNG operation, the intake valves are not cleaned by the fuel flow. Soot deposits form faster than on pure petrol engines.
Symptoms: Power loss, rough idle, elevated consumption, rough throttle response
As with the equivalent petrol engine, ignition coils can fail early and cause individual cylinder misfires. More noticeable in gas operation.
Symptoms: Rough engine running, power loss, engine warning light, one cylinder misfiring
Vehicle Weaknesses 5
20,500 vehicles worldwide (6,700 in Germany) were recalled. Adaptive front seat belts may provide reduced restraint force in a crash.
The passenger occupancy sensor (PODS) may erroneously deactivate the passenger airbag even when someone is sitting in the seat. Vehicles from 2020 to 2022 affected.
The plug-in hybrid battery of the 40 TFSI e costs around €12,846 to replace — a significant cost risk for older vehicles outside of warranty.
Early 8Y models (2020–2022) suffer severe software issues: Virtual Cockpit, head-up display, SOS emergency call and multimedia system fail sporadically.
The 8Y is rated marginally behind its predecessor in build quality assessments. Early models fell to last place in reliability rankings.
Reports & Tests
16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2020–2024). Most reported: Airbags (9), Powertrain (2), Other (2).