RoadVitals

2004 Audi A3

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Jan 16, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Audi A3, most frequently naming the driver assistance, fuel system and exterior lighting categories. 62 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance233.3%
  • Fuel system116.7%
  • Exterior lighting116.7%
  • Tires & wheels116.7%
  • Transmission116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Jan 16, 2018

READING MY E-MAIL NOTIFICATION FROM NHTSA I FOUND THAT THE RECALL NO. 17V-509 ISSUED TO VWGOA MAY AFFECT AND APPLY TO OUR CAR (AUDI A3 MY 2004 ENGINE 2.0 FSI) SINCE IT HAS THE SAME FAILED PART ON ITS STRUCTURE (1K0 906 093 F). CHECKING THE ENGINES LIST ORIGINALLY ON THE RECALL REPORT FROM AUGUST 16TH 2017 I'VE FOUND THE SAME PART NUMBER INSTALLED IN OUR CAR AND EVEN FORM THE SAME SUPPLIER (KUHNKE AUTOMOTIVE GMBH). IT'S NOT A NEW CAR BUT CONSIDERING IT'S A POTENTIAL FAILURE TO OCCUR WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING SINCE THE INSTALLED PART NUMBER IS THE SAME, THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH IS PRESENT ACCORDONG TO THE DECLARATION IN THE SAFETY RECALL REPORT. HOW SHOULD I CONTACT AUDI IN MEXICO OR USA TO ASK FOR THE NECESSARY INVESTIGATION OR ACTIONS? OF COURSE IT0'S OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD BUT THE RISK COULD BE PRESENT IN MY CAR.

NHTSA ID
11063132
Incident
Jan 13, 2018
Mileage
75,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 10, 2004

TRANSMISSION FAILURE--LOCKED OUT OF REVERSE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10060894
Incident
Mar 10, 2004
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 5, 2004

BLINDING GLARE FROM THE HID HEADLIGHTS, COUPLED WITH USE OF "FOG LIGHTS" WHEN NO FOG PRESENT. I FIND IT HARDER EACH YEAR TO DRIVE AT NIGHT DUE TO THE SITUATION WHICH OFTEN CAUSE YOU TO LOOSE SIGHT OF THE ROAD AHEAD. THE HID LIGHTS MAYU BE WITHIN "SPEC", BUT PERHAPS THE SPEC FOR HID LIUGHTS SHOULD BE CHANGED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10060538
Incident
Mar 5, 2004
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 3, 2004

WHEN DRIVING AT A MODERATE SPEED VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. DRIVER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND APPLY THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN, AND EVENTUALLY TO STOP. *AK

NHTSA ID
10057477
Mileage
2,500 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 11, 2003

GENTLEMEN, PURCHASE A NEW 2004 AUDI A4, DROVE OFF THE LOT AND TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 3 BLOCKS BEFORE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT! TURNS OUT A FLAT 3" PIECE OF METAL COMPLETELY PIERCED THROUGH THE TIRE AND WHEEL! THIS CAR WAS ORDERED WITH A 18" WHEEL AND TIRE PACKAGE CALLED THE "ULTRA SPORT PACKAGE." AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN LOOKING INTO THIS UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE BEYOND TALKING TO THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I HAVE BEEN IN THE AUTO BUSINESS FOR MANY YEARS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH UNUSUAL WHEEL DAMAGE. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT I AM THE SECOND PERSON WITH NEARLY IDENTICAL WHEEL FAILURE AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP! I CONTACTED AUDI AGAIN AND INFORMED THEM OF MY FINDINGS. THEY STILL SHOWED NO INTEREST. I INFORMED AUDI'S REPRESENTATIVE THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTING YOUR DEPARTMENT AND ENDED THE CONVERSATION. IT IS MY BELIEVE THAT THE 18" WHEELS ON MY CAR ARE UNSAFE AND DO NOT MEET FEDERAL IMPACT STANDARDS. THE DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEE WHO INFORMED ME OF THE "OTHER PERSON'S WHEEL ISSUE" WILL NOT COME FORWARD FOR FEAR OF LOOSING HIS JOB. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT ANY TIME.*AK

NHTSA ID
10045999
Incident
Nov 7, 2003
Mileage
16 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 16, 2003

CAR WILL TOTALLY FAIL TO ACCELERATE. PRESSING THE GAS TO THE FLOOR RESULTS IN ALMOST NO MOVEMENT. THIS HAPPENS AFTER HITTING THE BRAKES AND THEN THE GAS, USUALLY DURING ROUTING TRAFFIC OR AN AVOIDANCE MANEUVER. THIS WILL GET SOMEONE (ME) KILLED. *LA

NHTSA ID
10043041
Incident
Oct 15, 2003
Mileage
2,800 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

A0023742052680_4

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.

A0021482021205_6

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; STRUCTURE

This informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety Certification Labels, etc.

A3720992060148_1

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION: OIL COOLER; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:GEARS

This informational bulletin states to not replace parts for the beveling groove as it is normal.

A012046201475310

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

This bulletin contains instructions for when to add gasoline additives for cleaning the injectors.

20AUTIRECHAINS

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; TIRES

New document 2004-2020 A4 allroad, A6 allroad, A8L, R8 Spyder

A9119652050565_2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

This bulletin contains general software update instructions for vehicles with PR Code 7UH. 2016-2020 A3, 2016-2020 A3 Cabrio, 2016 A3 Sportback, 2016-2020 A4, 2016-2020 A4 allroad, 2016-2012 A4 Avant, 2016-2020 A5 Cabrio, 2016-2020 A5 Coupe, 2018-2020 A5 Sportback, 2016-2020 A6, 2016-2020 A7, 2016-2020 A8, 2016-2020 e-tron, 2019-2020 e-tron quattro, 2016-2020 Q3, 2016-2020 Q5, 2016-2020 Q7, 2016-2020 Q8, 2016-2020 R8 Coupe, 2016-2020 R8 Spyder, 2017-2019 RS3, 2016-2020 RS5, 2016-2020 RS5 Cabrio, 2016-2018 RS6, 2016-2018 RS7, 2016-2020 S5 Cabrio, 2016-2020 S5 Coupe, 2018-2020 S5 Sportback, 2016-2020 S6, 2016-2020 S7, 2018-2021 SQ5, 2016-2020 TT Coupe, 2016-2020 TT Roadster

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi A3 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025500—
2024100—
2023620—
2022960—
2021000—
2020163154.1
2019103149.2
2018332152.4
2017442152.4
2016813159.3
2015892152.4
2014000—
2013203046.0
2012434256.7
2011434251.0
2010505453.1
2009475259.5
2008433045.9
2007523041.8
20061234045.0
2005010—
2004Viewing600—
2003200—
2002000—
2001100—
2000000—
1999000—
1998000—
1997000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.