AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2012 Audi A3
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 43 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Audi A3, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and exterior lighting categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 869 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 1 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 2 |
| Feb 2015 | 1 | 3 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 4 |
| Apr 2015 | 1 | 5 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 6 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 7 |
| Apr 2016 | 2 | 9 |
| May 2016 | 3 | 12 |
| Aug 2016 | 3 | 15 |
| Oct 2016 | 3 | 18 |
| Nov 2016 | 2 | 20 |
| Jan 2017 | 2 | 22 |
| Feb 2017 | 4 | 26 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 27 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 28 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 29 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 30 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 31 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 32 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 33 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 34 |
| Oct 2018 | 2 | 36 |
| Nov 2018 | 2 | 38 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 39 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 40 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 41 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 42 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 43 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags3164.6%
- Electrical612.5%
- Exterior lighting510.4%
- Fuel system48.3%
- Brakes12.1%
- Driver assistance12.1%
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
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
By letter dated October 3, 2011, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address a defect in approximately 168,275 model year (MY) 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Golf, and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with the 2.0L TDI Common Rail Clean Diesel engine (NHTSA Recall No. 11V-490).The recalled Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen vehicles were built from May 2008 through September 2011, the Golf vehicles were built from May 2009 through September 2011, and the Audi A3 vehicles were built from September 2009 through September 2011.According to Volkswagen, in U.S. applications of the above cited TDI vehicles including engine codes CJAA and CBEA, 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 on the fuel line which a small number of parts (based on the statistic spread of line strength) cannot withstand over its lifetime.As a contributing factor, VW indicated that a supplier used tube material with scratch marks from a grinding process during certain production periods.Lines manufactured in these periods were installed in vehicles produced in the following 10 months:December 2008, January-February 2009, October 2009, March-April 2010 and September-December 2010.Injector lines using this material exhibit a significantly higher failure rate.Dealers will replace injector line #2 in all vehicles built in these months.In addition, as a precautionary measure, all recalled vehicles will have vibration dampers installed on all four fuel injector lines.Analysis of NHTSA complaints, VW complaints, VW field reports and warranty claims found allegations of injector line leakage in 443 subject vehicles.The leaking line was not identified in 62 of the vehicles.For the 381 that did provide information about which injector lines were leaking and/or replaced, 358 (94%) involved an injector line #2 leak/repair.Almost three-quarters of the injector line #2 leak/repair incident vehicles were built in the 10 months identified by VW, which accounted for approximately one-quarter of the recalled vehicles.The failure rate for injector line #2 in vehicles built in the 10 months affected by the supplier line scratching issue is 6.0 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV).The failure rate for injector line #2 in other production months of recalled vehicles is 0.8 IPTV.The leak/repair rates for the other injector lines are all well under 1 IPTV.The action taken by Volkswagen is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation. The agency will continue to monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The tail light bulbs melts plastic and can cause fire. My light indicator came on. When I checked the bulb, the internal structure was melted. I ordered exact model from a junk yard. When I received, I noticed it had the same issue and the internal structure was melting from heat of light bulb. Both Left and Right Tail light structures were melting. Potential fire hazard.
- NHTSA ID
- 11468825
- Incident
- Jun 1, 2022
air bag came on in dash. even though the air bag was recalled and fixed by dealer
- NHTSA ID
- 11446150
- Incident
- Aug 4, 2021
THIS CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED IN 2012 AND THEREFORE NO LONGER NEEDS THE AIRBAG RECALL TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. PLEASE REMOVE THIS RECALL NOTICE FROM THE DATABASE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11229869
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 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. AUDI CARLSBAD (5425 PASEO DEL NORTE, CARLSBAD, CA 92008, (760) 438-9490) 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. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11193835
- Incident
- Feb 1, 2019
I HAVE HAD A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IT REPLACED AT AUDI SINCE 2016, I HAVE SENT EMAILS TO THE GENERAL MANAGER AND THEY KEPT SAYING "THEY DO NOT HAVE THE AIRBAGS IN STOCK". I HAVE TRIED ANOTHER AUID AND GERT THE SAME ANSWER.
- NHTSA ID
- 11156978
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2016
- Mileage
- 90,000 mi
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED RECALL INFORMATION FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAG IN MY VEHICLE. - I CALLED AUDI STEVENS CREEK 888-462-7410 AS INSTRUCTED TO SCHEDULE REPAIR - AUDI SAID THEY ARE NOT DOING THE REPAIR AS NO AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY AUDI AMERICA - THERE IS NO ETA WHEN REPAIR MAY BE DONE THE STEVENS CREEK AUDI DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO SCHEDULE MY AIRBAG REPAIR. AUDI CLAIMS AIRBAGS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE AUDI A3 VEHICLES. AUDI'S INABILITY TO REPAIR THE AIRBAG AS REQUIRED BY THE SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE NOTED IN THE FILE IN CASE ANYTHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO ME OR MY WIFE WHILE DRIVING. AUDI WILL BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES FOR THEIR INABILITY TO PROVIDE THE AIRBAG REPAIR IN A TIMELY MANOR. THANK YOU, [XXX] VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 11150977
- Incident
- Nov 12, 2018
- Mileage
- 60,000 mi
CARBON BUILDUP ON FUEL INJECTORS AFTER 60K, DEALERSHIP IS DENYING EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. IT'S COMMON ISSUE WITH DI ENGINES, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11150212
- Incident
- Nov 2, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (RUSNAK PASADENA AUDI, 267 W COLORADO BOULEVARD, PASADENA, CA 91105) CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- NHTSA ID
- 11141322
- Incident
- Mar 19, 2018
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.
ENGINE
This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
This Reporting Obligation requires technicains to contact the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) in cases where the airbag/seatbelt is deployed/not deployed; general accident information; and fire and overheat damage.
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: The ODIS Audi Brand update 2.41.1 is setting a ODS5003E error code when you perform the 90TV SVM flash.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 6 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 9 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 54.1 |
| 2019 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 49.2 |
| 2018 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 52.4 |
| 2017 | 44 | 2 | 1 | 52.4 |
| 2016 | 81 | 3 | 1 | 59.3 |
| 2015 | 89 | 2 | 1 | 52.4 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 46.0 |
| 2012Viewing | 43 | 4 | 2 | 56.7 |
| 2011 | 43 | 4 | 2 | 51.0 |
| 2010 | 50 | 5 | 4 | 53.1 |
| 2009 | 47 | 5 | 2 | 59.5 |
| 2008 | 43 | 3 | 0 | 45.9 |
| 2007 | 52 | 3 | 0 | 41.8 |
| 2006 | 123 | 4 | 0 | 45.0 |
| 2005 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 6 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.