2015 Audi A3 Engine Problems

Blown turbo with propeller broken off lodged into the pre-catalytic converter, which caused damage to the catalytic converter/exhaust requiring a new turbo and a complete new catalytic converter and exhaust system. They also found major oil leaking from the upper timing cover gaskets, which I later found documented on the accounting service record as not repaired at that time few months from my purchase. These known engine damages were a major contributor to the engine failures that I’m faced with today. Oil starvation from known oil leaks, damaged gaskets, and failing parts caused oil starvation of the turbo, constant overheating with coolant and oil problems since purchasing the car and which ultimately froze the turbo and snapped the propeller. I’m still struggling without an operating vehicle for over a year, and trying to afford these expensive repairs, which should’ve been covered under the 15 year PZEV warranty and/or recalls of these known parts failures. It was at the dealership in plenty of time for the SMOG certification, which was the sole reason for the appointment and it being at AudiSD, which they refused to do. These are extremely expensive repairs, these are known issues with several class action lawsuits and recalls behind them, yet they simply refuse to take ownership, deny any support, and making excuses for their lack of responsibility. I asked several times for them to do the right thing, take the car back and refund my money or give me an equivalent car to what I was promised when I purchased it, they refused and no management has been involved. I deserve to be compensated for my time over the last several years dealing with these repeated issues, compensation for all the parts I have been forced to buy, refunded the amounts I’ve paid for technicians to truly diagnose the problem and for the repairs I’ve yet to be able to afford, as well as the towing and other charges I have incurred as a result of purchasing this vehicle from AudiSD

NHTSA ID

11723149

Incident

Apr 9, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated and the engine overheated. There was an abnormal sound coming from the transmission. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming abnormal amounts of coolant without signs of a coolant leak. The contact stated that the engine seized. The coolant reservoir was inspected and there was no coolant in the reservoir. While attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact recently replaced the coolant pump, coolant control valve and the expansion tank. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V619000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN, nor the model were included. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

NHTSA ID

11679093

Incident

Aug 4, 2025

Mileage

122,000 mi

Consumer bought this car at 30,040 miles. The car currently sits with 89,000 miles. I have had 18 recommended service visits totaling $19,240 and then on July 15, 2022 with no pre indicators or warnings the engine dies after a 95k full multipoint inspection that consumer had 3 weeks prior. The car has an impeccable Maintenace record. I did everything the dealer told me; and I still almost died on the 101 fwy going 70 mph on a conference call; the flashers didnt even work; the car dead and came to a hard halt and trucks were screeching around me with smoke coming from their tires because of the extreme hard stop and slamming on breaks, i was screaming for my life praying no one would slam into me. Metro who roams the fwy saved my life; without him i would be dead because of AUDI's HORRIBLY MANUFATCTURED VEHICLE. It seems as though the dealer purposefully sabotages my car as a woman; i have no alternative but to fix it and now they want $27,000 MORE for a new engine AND starter. so, in total; to drive 57,000 miles I've paid $37,000 cash for the car (I own the title)/ plus $19,240 in maintenance /repairs and now they want another 27,000 for the engine. i have no more money to give them. i recently returned my 3rd rental vehicle and i am out of funds on transportation. Ayudame ! How is this ethical? Song and Beverly consumer warranty act sect 1793.2.(d) & (g). California Health and Safety Codes 43204-43205.5. Audis Emission standards. California Code of regulations sect 3396.1-3399.6. Cal Code Regs. tit.16 / 3396.1. Thank you for reading this. ps. i have every receipt and document; so if you need anything further i am so organized it's ridiculous; please don't hesitate to ask.

NHTSA ID

11487306

Incident

Jul 15, 2022

Coolant leak from faulty water pump. This is a known issue from numerous models of Audis and has been the subject of recalls and extended warranty campaigns - but not on this particular model. I was forced to pay for the replacement of this known faulty part out of pocket.

NHTSA ID

11464759

Incident

Jan 17, 2022

The turbo went out prematurely

NHTSA ID

11454812

Incident

Feb 28, 2022

The engine low oil light keeps coming on, the oil has been changed already, I’ve had the car for more than 7 months I haven’t even driven it over 5000 miles yet. Audi needs to fix this. The power train is also the same, some days it works okay and some days it doesn’t. The cars struggles sometimes to even reach speeds up to 50 mph.I’ve taken this vehicle to the Audi dealship as well as to a foreign certified mechanic shop. They can’t figure out the problem. The engine light should not be coming on randomly when I have fully serviced the vehicle. Audi please fix these problems.

NHTSA ID

11453154

Incident

Jul 14, 2021

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN OCTOBER 2020 CAR WAS SLOW TO TAKE OFF FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND SEEMED TO TAKE TIME TO SHIFT GEARS. TOOK TO AUDI MECHANIC AND HAD TO REPLACE WATER PUMP -W/THERMOSTAT HOUSING & INTAKE MANIFOLD. NOW I'M APRIL 2021 CAR IS BACK IN SHOP BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR SUDDENLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, I PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT TO TURN CAR OFF AND THEN GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE STATING TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION CANNOT REVERSE AND HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC AGAIN. I'M TOLD IT NEEDS MECHATRONIC UNIT REPLACED, REPLACE TIMING COVER DUE TO OIL LEAK, EVAP LEAK AND WIPER FLUID IS LEAKING.

NHTSA ID

11407754

Incident

Apr 9, 2021

Mileage

90,605 mi

AFTER RECENT CAR INSPECTION DUE TO RECALL FOR PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION I WAS INFORMED THAT WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 55 000 MILES ON IT. OTHER AUDI MODELS APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY HAVE BEEN RECALLED, HOWEVER NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR AUDI A3 2015. AS A MANUFACTURER AUDI MUST TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAULTY PARTS AND IT SHOULD REPLACE THEM ON THEIR OWN EXPENSE.

NHTSA ID

11310473

Incident

Feb 15, 2020

Mileage

55,000 mi

THE WATER PUMP/THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS LEAKING COOLANT OUT OF THE ENGINE. THIS OCCURS ON NEARLY ALL MQB CHASSIS VW/AUDI'S WITH THE EA888 GEN 3 2.0 TFSI ENGINE. IT IS A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11306575

Incident

Jan 2, 2020

Mileage

48,000 mi