Audi A3 vs Ford Fiesta
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Sep 21, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Audi A3
- Total complaints
- 671
- Avg per model year
- 40
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 20
- Most complained year
- 2006 (123)
Top problems: Air Bags, Power Train, Electrical System
Ford Fiesta
- Total complaints
- 3,161
- Avg per model year
- 351
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 12
- Most complained year
- 2011 (730)
Top problems: Power Train, Engine, Structure
Complaints by model year
| Year | Audi A3 | Ford Fiesta | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 10 | 100 | ||
| 2018 | 33 | 35 | ||
| 2017 | 44 | 74 | ||
| 2016 | 81 | 178 | ||
| 2015 | 92 | 258 | ||
| 2013 | 20 | 667 | ||
| 2012 | 43 | 617 | ||
| 2011 | 43 | 730 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.