2009 Audi A3: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 47 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (40% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“vehicle switched into neutral and accelerated Unable to control or stop Crashed into bush 2014 AUDI checked said no issuue Vehicle switches gear unexpectedly on highway and slows and drags Audi checked Said normal 9/3 2022 foot on break to a full stop at a light Anothet auto in front Audi suddenly switched gear and started to accelerate Would not stop Crashed into car in front Gear stayed frrozen in neutral for a few mimutes.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2022
“The contact owns a 2009 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the traction control and ABS control module warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Aug 2022
“The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the dsg may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped by the connector supplier during a limited production period. With insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the clutch to open and can cause the driver to perceive that the transmission has shifted into neutral. If this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash. In addition, the depress brake pedal indicator light will be illuminated, alerting the driver to apply the brakes. In heavy traffic, this could lead to a crash without warning.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driving 30 minutes into the highway, the vehicle decided to shift into neutral while the vehicle was in "d" drive and in motion. The "prnds" started flashing on my dash, while not letting me accelerate going 65mph. I had to quickly slowdown, and pull over to the emergency lane. The vehicle seems to have gone into "limp mode". After turning off the vehicle and turning it back on, it drove just fine. This happened once more 2 days ago. Seems like it could be the transmission control unit, however dealer cant determine the fault without a code. Scared to drive the vehicle now.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2020
“Audi / vw had a class action lawsuit on this cars timing chain and timing chain tensioner. The extended warranty has expired. Mine broke at 95000 miles. So I'm sure there are other audi owners that don't even know this happened. This is costing me over 1000$. And should of been a full recall, not this other bs. It is leaving us high and dry. I hope you can do something about this. Thanks”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2019
“Transmission goes into neutral while at highway speeds. Engine rpms jump to redline while car is in neutral, then goes back into gear. Has happen several times while on the highway. Transmission also kicks down to lowest gear when coming at stop, jerking the car while braking.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2019
“ABS braking system software update did not fix brakes. Recall shows if brake module is bad it would replace. However, they only updated the software and claimed the module is not involved in the recall. I do not have ABS brakes that are functional.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2019
“I have been receiving notices of the takata airbag recall regularly for almost a year. Several months ago, I asked to be notified when parts were available. Having not heard back from the dealer (but still receiving notices, the latest one today), I placed an order for the parts in mid-november 2018. Still have not heard back from the dealership.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2018
“While in drive and starting to accelerate in a traffic light the transmission got stuck in a gear while making a turn. Prdns lights started flashing and suddenly when in to neutral. It has happen several times now where I go from parking to reverse and then drive. All prdns start flashing and car does not respond to any gear.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2018
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 audi a3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called the local dealer (gurley leep motorwerks, 4004 grape rd, mishawaka, in 46545, (574) 254-7130) and was informed that the part was not available and to call back at a later date. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 AUDI A3, TT, AND TT ROADSTER PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 AND AUGUST 26, 2009. 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.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUDI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WITH AN IMPROVED VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact A3 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Audi A3 reliable?
NHTSA has 47 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Audi A3. The most complained-about area is air bags (40% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Audi A3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Audi A3 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.