Audi A3 vs Mercedes-Benz E400
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Audi A3
- Total complaints
- 668
- Avg per model year
- 40
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 20
- Most complained year
- 2006 (123)
Top problems: Air Bags, Power Train, Electrical System
Mercedes-Benz E400
- Total complaints
- 54
- Avg per model year
- 23
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 15
- Most complained year
- 2016 (34)
Top problems: Air Bags, Steering, Engine
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.