RoadVitals

2010 Audi A3 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
50
Latest Feb 25, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Audi A3, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags1322.4%
  • Engine610.3%
  • Electrical23.4%
  • Tires & wheels23.4%
  • Brakes23.4%
  • Transmission11.7%
  • Body & structure11.7%
  • Interior & seats11.7%
  • Exterior lighting11.7%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOUR COMMUTE, WHILE TRAVELING AT 60MPH ON EAST BOUND HIGHWAY 70 (AT THE 70/270 INTERCHANGE) IN ST. LOUIS, MO THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND ALL ENGINE POWER WAS LOST. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE CAR 4 LANES TO THE FAR RIGHT SHOULDER AND TURN ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS. ANY ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE CAR WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. AS THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 3 DEGREES (-9 WITH WINDCHILL) I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED A TOWING SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT VW/AUDI SHOP, WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE HPFP (HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP) HAD FAILED AND WILL REQUIRE ITS REPLACEMENT AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE FUEL SYSTEM ($6,000-$8,000 REPAIR ESTIMATE). *TR

NHTSA ID 10671226 · filed Jan 9, 2015

WHILE DEPARTING A PARKING LOT ONTO A PRIMARY ROAD, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING; THE CAR IMMEDIATELY BEGAN LOSING POWER. I RETURNED TO PARKING AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN AUDI DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10653233 · filed Nov 7, 2014
All 19 reports naming fuel system

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER A YEAR AGO. THE DEALER (OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF ROCKVILLE, 807 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD 20852, (301) 637-6496) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT RECENTLY RECEIVED A POSTCARD FROM THE AUDI MANUFACTURER, ALERTING HER THAT THEY HAD THE PARTS. ONCE THE CONTACT ARRIVED AT OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF ROCKVILLE, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 11141431 · filed Oct 19, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID 11140418 · filed Oct 15, 2018
All 13 reports naming airbags

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS 2010 AUDI A3 TDI EQUIPPED WITH AN S TRONIC DIRECT-SHIFT GEARBOX WILL RANDOMLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR LIMP MODE AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PROCEED WITH NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION AFTER THIS OCCURS WITHOUT FIRST PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND THEN RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THESE SYMPTOMS ARE INDICATIVE OF A KNOWN DEFECT FOR THIS MODELS POWER TRAIN AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS TESTIMONIES ON THE WEB FROM AUDI AND VW OWNERS WHOSE 2009/2010 VEHICLES ARE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS, YET WHO ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE AUDI RECALL #'S 37E3/S7 & 37E5/J7 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #09V333000) DO NOT APPLY TO THEIR VEHICLES DUE TO THEIR HAVING BEEN BUILT OUTSIDE THE BUILD DATE PARAMETERS OF THE RECALL. IT IS OBVIOUS FROM THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM AUDI AND VW OWNERS THAT THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SENSOR HARNESSES WERE INSTALLED IN VEHICLES OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL PARAMETERS AND AUDI AND VW ARE NOT WILLING TO AUTHORIZE DEALERS TO REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE OF THESE VEHICLES WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I EVEN INQUIRED AS TO WHAT MY COST WOULD BE TO HAVE THIS UPDATED SOFTWARE INSTALLED (EVEN THOUGH IT IS PROVIDED FREE FOR AUDI AND VW VEHICLES WITHIN THE BUILD DATE PARAMETERS) BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REPROGRAMMING DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE, THOUGH IT EXHIBITS EXACTLY THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID 11307861 · filed Feb 8, 2020

I HAVE AN AUDI A3 MANUFACTURED IN 2009 PRESENTING SEVERE ISSUES WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. AUDI HAS A RECALL FOR SEVERAL AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED THE SAME YEAR, RECALL NUMBER 16V913000. AUDI OF AMERICA WAS NOTIFIED HOWEVER DECLINED RESPONSIBILITY ALLEGEDLY BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE SPECIFIED VIN RANGE. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE IS PRESENTING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THOSE ON THE RECALL AUDI IS UNWILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE EXPERIENCE WAS VERY UNNERVING AS THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. FORTUNATELY THE CARS FOLLOWING BEHIND WERE ABLE TO STOP ON TIME AVOIDING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ASIDE FROM LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING LOSES POSITION AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING. FURTHERMORE THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED, THIS IS VERY SUSPICIOUS AS TO WHY THERE WILL BE A NEW PART NUMBER TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL IF ALLEGEDLY THERE'S NO PROBLEMS WITH MINE...?

NHTSA ID 11142215 · filed Oct 23, 2018
All 10 reports naming powertrain (other)

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID 10748774 · filed Aug 14, 2015

GOING 55 MILE AN HOUR, REAR TURBO SEAL GOES OUT, SUCKS ENGINE OIL OUT OF CRANKCASE. I COAST TO A STOP. LOAD ON A TRAILER. HAUL TO A AUDI DEALER. STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY REPLACE ENGINE. NOW THEY SAY TRANSMISSION IS NOT REPAIRABLE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW TRANSMISSION. DRIVE TRAIN WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NEVER BUY ANOTHER AUDI AGAIN. AUDI HAS HAD THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS STILL DON'T HAVE THE CAR BACK. *TR

NHTSA ID 10609735 · filed Jul 10, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE AN AUDI A3 MANUFACTURED IN 2009 PRESENTING SEVERE ISSUES WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. AUDI HAS A RECALL FOR SEVERAL AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED THE SAME YEAR, RECALL NUMBER 16V913000. AUDI OF AMERICA WAS NOTIFIED HOWEVER DECLINED RESPONSIBILITY ALLEGEDLY BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE SPECIFIED VIN RANGE. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE IS PRESENTING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THOSE ON THE RECALL AUDI IS UNWILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE EXPERIENCE WAS VERY UNNERVING AS THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. FORTUNATELY THE CARS FOLLOWING BEHIND WERE ABLE TO STOP ON TIME AVOIDING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ASIDE FROM LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING LOSES POSITION AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING. FURTHERMORE THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED, THIS IS VERY SUSPICIOUS AS TO WHY THERE WILL BE A NEW PART NUMBER TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL IF ALLEGEDLY THERE'S NO PROBLEMS WITH MINE...?

NHTSA ID 11142215 · filed Oct 23, 2018

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT, FOGLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL BEGAN TO REPEATEDLY CYCLE OFF AND ON, THEN EVENTUALLY DIED. OPENING FUSE BOX IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT REVEALED A MELTED FUSE (F16). THIS SAME MELTED FUSE PROBLEM AFFECTS MULTIPLE OTHER VW AUTOMOBILES SUCH AS THE TIGUAN, JETTA, AND GOLF. THERE IS A RECALL OUT ON THE TIGUAN ONLY WHICH SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO OTHER MODELS USING THE SAME FUSE BOX, IRRESPECTIVE OF MAKE/MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10711859 · filed Apr 20, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

225/45zr1794w purchased at discount tire. TPMS system failed after tire installation. I told the technician and he reset the system. Five miles later TPMS indicator came on. Malfunction TPMS. I monitor the tire pressure periodically and the tires seemed fine. While driving on Florida 528 to the airport i heard a rumbling and pulled over immediately. The tire sidewall was cut almost all the way around the tire. I assume from low pressure or tire malfunction. The tire is only a few months old. I am going to visit discount tire today and see what they say/do. I commute 150 miles a day at highway speeds. Fortunately I was able to pull over and not damage my rim. I removed the tire and put the spare on. I was flying to Columbia south America and nearly missed my flight. I have not found any reason the tire lost air pressure. Because this tire was nearly new it should have held air. Had discount tire fully corrected the TPMS system i may have been able to save the tire and not experienced the horrid experience of changing the tire on the highway 70 mph speed limit however the actual speeds are from 80mph up. Fortunately i work for the Orlando international Airport and had a colleague park my car to avoid missing the flight. Had four road hugger ties on my Audi now 3 and a spare. I'm not sure what the outcome will be but a brand new tire should not have deflated an had discount tire performed as professional technicians i most likely would not be contacting your organization. Thank your [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID 11509065 · filed Feb 25, 2023

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI A3 EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES, TIRE SIZE 225/14/18. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGNAL, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR DISPLAYED A LOW PRESSURE READING. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD SLIGHTLY FLATTENED; AND REPLACED WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REFERRED HIM TO A TIRE CENTER FOR THE TIRE DIAGNOSIS. THE TIRE CENTER INFORMED THAT THE TIRE SHREDDED FROM THE TIRE RIM. ALSO, THE OTHER THREE TIRES WERE NOT ROAD WORTHY AND THE SIDEWALL HAD BUBBLES. THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEFECT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,600. THE DOT NUMBER WAS EJT70CCJ3109.

NHTSA ID 10363565 · filed Nov 1, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11256473 · filed Sep 18, 2019

I HAVE AN AUDI A3 MANUFACTURED IN 2009 PRESENTING SEVERE ISSUES WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. AUDI HAS A RECALL FOR SEVERAL AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED THE SAME YEAR, RECALL NUMBER 16V913000. AUDI OF AMERICA WAS NOTIFIED HOWEVER DECLINED RESPONSIBILITY ALLEGEDLY BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE SPECIFIED VIN RANGE. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE IS PRESENTING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THOSE ON THE RECALL AUDI IS UNWILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE EXPERIENCE WAS VERY UNNERVING AS THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. FORTUNATELY THE CARS FOLLOWING BEHIND WERE ABLE TO STOP ON TIME AVOIDING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ASIDE FROM LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING LOSES POSITION AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING. FURTHERMORE THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED, THIS IS VERY SUSPICIOUS AS TO WHY THERE WILL BE A NEW PART NUMBER TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL IF ALLEGEDLY THERE'S NO PROBLEMS WITH MINE...?

NHTSA ID 11142215 · filed Oct 23, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT SUDDEN, AND BRIEF LOSS OF ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 2,000. ONE TIME THE POWER LOSS WAS FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I STARTED TO MOVE, THERE WAS A PAUSE AND QUICKLY THE POWER RETURNED. THE SAME BEHAVIOR HAPPENED PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT INTO TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURRENCE CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS IS AN A3 TDI (CLEAN DIESEL MODEL). *TR

NHTSA ID 10341130 · filed Jul 2, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11111224 · filed Jul 13, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11111224 · filed Jul 13, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT, FOGLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL BEGAN TO REPEATEDLY CYCLE OFF AND ON, THEN EVENTUALLY DIED. OPENING FUSE BOX IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT REVEALED A MELTED FUSE (F16). THIS SAME MELTED FUSE PROBLEM AFFECTS MULTIPLE OTHER VW AUTOMOBILES SUCH AS THE TIGUAN, JETTA, AND GOLF. THERE IS A RECALL OUT ON THE TIGUAN ONLY WHICH SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO OTHER MODELS USING THE SAME FUSE BOX, IRRESPECTIVE OF MAKE/MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10711859 · filed Apr 20, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .