2010 Audi A3: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 50 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (27% 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 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The car shuts off when driving. All power steering, electrical, power brakes, engine...everything. Has shut off driving on freeway going 70mph”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2020
“On june 8 2018 the car was in motion in the city of atlanta driving straight when another car turn improperly causing accident. This cause the car to get involved in a car accident front end. The driver chest hit the steering. Which from the that cause the impact of the air bag to improperly inflate but deflated cause burns to right arm. The impact also cause driver and passenger seat to open. Front and side damage to body of car”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2018
“At slow speeds & when stopped with vehicle in gear (drive or revers) the transmission jerks, clunks, feels like it's engaging and disengaging. It is dangerous - especially when stopped or parking as the vehicle will suddenly lunge forward or backward depending on the gear you are in. Unfortunately it has only resulted in damage to my own vehicle - not to another vehicle or person.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Takata recall I had taken my automobile to audi of natick in natick, massachusetts for service twice in the spring of 2017, once at the end of may, and once more later in june. Both times the dealership offered a "check for active recalls" included with service. Both times the dealership did not report any active recalls. I only recently found out that the recall for the takata airbags in my vehicle was posted to audi in february of 2016. I know the replacement work was never performed for my particular car. I think this behavior on the part of the dealership, audi of natick is negligent, and very dangerous.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2017
“Takata recall-the dealership has not had any replacement for the last year and a half, that would replace the bad airbag.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2017
“Related to recall 45f5 ABS control module. This vehicle has a failed ABS control module that deactivates ABS braking systems, electronic stability control, and headlight range control. This specific VIN is not included in the affected range per the recall stated above although it demonstrates the same known safety issues.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2017
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 audi a3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v079000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue the contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 05/10/17*lj updated 06/23/2017 *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2016
“I plan to trade my car in within 2 months. The dealership said I will get less for my trade in because of the recall has not been resolved. The takata airbag is beyond my control and I should not be the one endangered or suffer a monetary loss. I believe that audi should provide cash reimbursement for any loss.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 audi a3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v079000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 audi a3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v079000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called (audi marin, 700 francisco blvd w, san rafael, ca 94901, 415-460-4100) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that the wait time for the parts was too long. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - 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 IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
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 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 2010 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 2010 Audi A3 reliable?
NHTSA has 50 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Audi A3. The most complained-about area is air bags (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Audi A3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 49,556 miles or less.
Does the 2010 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.