2011 Audi A3: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 43 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (48% of complaints); the 2013 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 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. Audi flatirons (13321 w midway blvd, broomfield, co 80020, (866) 604-3244) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2019
“Takata recall. I have received numerous notices from audi and the secretary of state's office that my a3 is recalled for the airbag replacement. I have been trying to schedule this since june with audi of kalamazoo, my local dealer. They schedule appointments for this 6 weeks out. They have twice cancelled my appointment the day before the service saying that they can't get the parts. I have been able to schedule an appointment with another dealer who report that they have not had such trouble getting the parts. Audi of kalamazoo's delay tactics have unnecessarily put my family at risk.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2018
“Audi refuses to replace citing lack of parts yet keeps sending me notices to replace. This is wasting a lot of time for both parties.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 audi a3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Audi stevens creek (3350 stevens creek blvd, san jose, ca 95117, (408) 244-5400) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2018
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 audi a3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v079000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called keyes audi (5239 van nuys blvd, los angeles, ca, (818) 528-5931) and was informed that the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2018
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 audi a3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags); however, 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 contact called dch audi oxnard at (805) 288-7728 (located at 1600 ventura blvd, oxnard, ca 93036) and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“Airbag warning light came on. Dealer said passenger seat occupancy sensor must be replaced, at cost of $1500-3000 since it's 5 months past my warranty. Numerous Audi models from 2012 onward have a recall for this sensor, but not my 2011 model (yet). Other automakers have extended their warranty for this safety-critical part -- BMW to 15 years, for example. Technicians could not tell me if the sensor error means all airbags are disabled, passenger airbag only is disabled, or passenger airbag is always-on (dangerous for children).”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
“Takata recall. The recall on this airbag issued in feb 2016 and I am still being told that there is no remedy available. Nothing has happened yet, but I am apparently driving around with an airbag that is known to be hazardous.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2017
“Unable to trade in vehicle with dealer. States only valued at $2500; $5000 less than actual trade in value. Unacceptable that audi does not stand by mistake.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2017
“Vehicle does not switch gears properly. Once drive gear is selected then the gear indicator flashes (ex. The d flashes or p flashes). Vehicle does not switch gears until 5500 rpm is reached. And vehicle does not engage r gear once car has been in drive. Have to turn vehicle off and back on to get to r. Vehicle is pretty much not drivable in current condition as it needs to be shut off and turned one multiple times just to park the car. Sometimes behaves normally for short bursts.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2016
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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 Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2011 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 2011 Audi A3 reliable?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Audi A3. The most complained-about area is air bags (48% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Audi A3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 53,050 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Audi A3 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, diesel. 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.