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2020 Audi A3

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 A3.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S7)

The 2020 Audi A3 is a compact luxury vehicle equipped with a seven-speed automated manual transmission (AM-S7) and rated at 27/36/30 mpg city/highway/combined, with a 6.0-quart oil capacity specifying 0W-20 viscosity. Within the model's complaint history spanning 2001–2025, this model year records only 16 total owner complaints—a figure dramatically lower than the 2015 peak of 176 and far closer to the 2001 low of a single complaint. However, the top complaint area centers on airbags and three recalls have been issued, so while the 2020 ranks among the more statistically placid years in the A3's timeline, those specific safety domains merit close scrutiny by researchers evaluating long-term ownership prospects.

Model year2024 2023 2022 2020 2019 2013 2012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy27/36/30 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 06L115562B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP225/45R17H, P225/40R18H, P235/35R19Y, P225/40R18YOEM · verified

Wheel / rimNS inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06L115562B
Engine air filter	5Q0129620B
Spark plug	06K905601B
Battery	000915089F alt 000915089BC
Front wiper blades	8V1998002A
Cabin air filter	5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (AM-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	175.6 in
Overall width	70.9 in
Overall height	55.9 in
Wheelbase	103.9 in
Curb weight	3362 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.4 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	27 / 36 / 30 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	86 cu ft
Cargo volume	12 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the A3 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.4–8.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2015 2.0T Premium Plus Quattro Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2017	2.0T Prestige Quattro Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	5.50 sec	14.20 sec	220 hp	AWD
2016	Sportback e-tron Ultra Plug-In Hybrid Premium Plus Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4 + Elec 8.8-kWh	6.50 sec	15.10 sec	204 hp	FWD
2015	2.0T Premium Plus Quattro Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	5.40 sec	14.00 sec	220 hp	AWD
2015	2.0T Premium Plus Quattro Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	5.40 sec	14.00 sec	220 hp	AWD
2015	2.0T Premium Quattro Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	5.60 sec	14.30 sec	220 hp	AWD
2015	2.0T Premium Plus Quattro Cabriolet 2.0L Turbo I-4	5.70 sec	14.40 sec	220 hp	AWD
2015	2.0T Premium Quattro Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.00 sec	14.60 sec	220 hp	AWD
2015	1.8T Premium Plus Sedan 1.8L Turbo I-4	6.50 sec	15.20 sec	170 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil	0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

89 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

45.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°

45 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 80,000 mi.

Every 10,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire Repair Kit Sealant (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 80,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Across this generation, federal complaints and recalls peaked sharply in 2015 with 176 complaints and 7 recalls, but trended downward through 2018 and into 2019. The 2020 model year falls on the stabilizing tail end of this arc, recording just 16 complaints and 3 recalls; this represents a slight uptick in complaints from 2019's 12, but a massive improvement over the 44 complaints seen in 2018. For the 2020 A3 specifically, Air Bags lead the complaint categories with 7 reports, followed by Power Train with 2, though the provided data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Compared to the subsequent 2024 model year, which saw only 1 complaint and 0 recalls, the 2020 figures suggest the vehicle had largely matured past the generation's major fault points. Given its position on the downward slope of the generation's issue arc and relatively low federal complaint volume, the 2020 Audi A3 is a strong used buy, provided you verify the three recalls have been properly addressed.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

696

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’01 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’15 ’18 ’19’20’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 16 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags7

Power Train2

Engine1

Tires1

Unknown Or Other1

Air Bags,Seat Belts1

Wheels1

Air Bags,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V198000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front PassengerReported 22/03/2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system… Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service…

22V815000Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating SystemsReported 31/10/2022

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas… Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 696 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB_2074640_3	2026-06-26	Engine	This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2074729_3	2026-06-23	Electrical System	This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2059335_7	2026-06-23	Electrical System	This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…
TSB_2064983_15	2026-06-22	Electrical System	This bulletin provides information when there are pixel faults on the virtual cockpit.
TSB_2082323_1	2026-06-10	Engine	This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific A3. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 6.0 qt Engine oil filter 06L115562B Engine air filter 5Q0129620B Spark plug 06K905601B Battery 000915089F

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2020 A3 take?

6.0 qt of 0W-20 VW 508 00 Audi High Performance Genuine Engine Oil, per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 A3 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the A3 get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 36 highway / 30 combined mpg.