2009 Audi A3 Problems
Compared with other Audi A3 years
More complaints than typical for this model
78/100 1.9× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.9× that of a typical Audi A3 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 3 of its 47 complaints were filed by the end of 2011.
- Most reported part: Air bags (22 complaints, median 88,500 mi).
- 5 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with a typical complaint level and no open NHTSA investigation: 2012
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 47filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 72,500miles, 24 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 5campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Audi A3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 2009 Audi A3. The part named most often is air bags, with 22 complaints (47% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (15) and brakes (9). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 21% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,500 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 579 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 59 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign, 1 NHTSA investigation and 27 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 8 Audi A3 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 78 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags22 47%
- Brakes9 19%
- Electrical system5 11%
- Engine5 11%
- Exterior lighting2 4.3%
- Engine cooling1 2.1%
- Other or unknown1 2.1%
- Body and structure1 2.1%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “I had purchased the car back in August 17th 2021 my power steering my brakes my airbag light and the fuel system fuel leak started happening all at once water was draining out of the middle of the engine . It overheating the engine speed ball down and I automatically I instantly pulled over and turned it off and towed it home 2 days after I bought it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11456529, filed 2022-03Transmission and drivetrain: “Driving 30 minutes into the highway, the vehicle decided to shift into neutral while the vehicle was in d drive and in motion. The prnds started flashing on my dash, while not letting me accelerate going 65mph. I had to quickly slowdown, and pull over to the emergency lane. The vehicle seems to have gone into limp mode . After turning off the vehicle and turning it back on, it drove just fine. This happened once more 2 days ago. Seems like it could be the transmission control unit, however dealer cant determine the fault without a code. Scared to drive the vehicle now.”
NHTSA complaint #11300553, filed 2020-01, 100,120 milesBrakes: “The ABS control module has failed and I've read this is an ongoing issue with all 2009 models from Audi to volkswagen tsi engine models. The vehicle had ABS steering and brake lights come on within the cluster. When braking the brakes locked up causing me to lose control. Thankfully I was not going fast it didn't crash into anything.”
NHTSA complaint #10897786, filed 2016-08, 100,000 milesElectrical system: “Purchased car in 2010 with around 10,000 miles on it. A few months after purchasing, check engine light would illuminate, vehicle would have a noticeable decrease in power and not accelerate over about 40mph. Sometimes after shutting car off and restarting problem would go away, other times it would not. Vehicle taken to Audi dealership car purchased from for repair and initially reported as sensor problem and repaired. Couple weeks after repair car would have same problem, so taken back to dealership and again repaired sensor(s). …”
NHTSA complaint #11322035, filed 2020-04, 10,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
21% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 61,200 and 95,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2009 Audi A3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 21 | 30 | 24 | $3,400 |
| A3 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 22 | 28 | 24 | $3,400 |
| A3 quattro 4WD/AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 24 | $3,400 |
| A3 quattro 4WD/AWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 18V082000Jan 30, 2018Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: Audi A3 2006–2013, Q5 2009–2012, A4 Cabriolet 2007–2009 +4 more
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…
- 16V913000Dec 20, 2016Electronic stability control (esc)Covers: Audi A3 2009, Volkswagen Jetta 2009–2010, EOS 2009 +4 more
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS)…
- 16V079000Feb 10, 2016Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: Audi A3 2005–2013, A4 Cabriolet 2006–2009, Volkswagen Passat 2006
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…
- 09V377000Sep 30, 2009Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Audi A3 2006–2010, TT 2008–2010
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2010 audi a3, tt, and tt roadster passenger vehicles manufactured between september 29, 2005 and august 26, 2009. The closing force of an internal spring of the fuel tank ventilation valve is not…
- 09V333000Aug 20, 2009Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Audi A3 2009–2010, Volkswagen Jetta 2009–2010, GTI 2009–2010 +2 more
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 passenger cars manufactured between september 2008 and august 2009. The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the direct shift gearbox (dsg) may have connector wires that were insufficiently…
Recall details for the 2009 Audi A3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE11023Diesel Fuel Injector Line LeakageClosed · Aug 2, 2011
- PE09035Vehicle stall/loss motive powerClosed · Jul 17, 2009
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 579 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038143Sep 9, 2026Other or unknown. This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11032137Apr 22, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool
- 11022664Aug 19, 2025Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool
- 11021447Jul 10, 2025Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool
- 11016532Mar 12, 2025Engine. This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
- 11012483Dec 6, 2024Electrical system. This bulletin provides information in circumstances where there are noises/vibration from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.
- 11012476Dec 5, 2024Engine. This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; DTCs for misfire, air/fuel ratio imbalance, or lean fuel system stored in the ECM P030000.
- 11011285Nov 26, 2024Electrical system. This TSB Provides information when parking assistance provides false warnings.
- 11011282Nov 22, 2024Body and structure. This bulletin provides information when speaker rattles, vibrations, or audio interference is noted.
- 11011240Nov 20, 2024Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool
Other model years of the Audi A3
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | — | 0 | — | 28 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 7 | 57,083 | 2 | — | 32 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 9 | 26,000 | 6 | — | 32 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 16 | 7,000 | 3 | 5 | 30 | — | Falling |
| 2019 | 10 | 13,223 | 3 | 5 | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 33 | 23,000 | 2 | 5 | 29 | 24 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2017 | 44 | 48,500 | 2 | 5 | 29 | 19 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2016 | 83 | 62,300 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 20 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 93 | 63,500 | 2 | 5 | 27 | 8 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 20 | 50,000 | 3 | — | 24 | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 43 | 66,557 | 4 | — | 24 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 43 | 50,100 | 4 | — | 24 | 73 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 50 | 48,500 | 5 | — | 24 | 99 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 47 | 72,500 | 5 | — | 24 | 78 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 43 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 25 | 82 · More | Stable |
| 2007 | 52 | 62,000 | 3 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 123 | 72,000 | 4 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 6 | 2,650 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Audi A3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Audi A3 have?
NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 2009 Audi A3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2009 Audi A3 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 22 complaints (47% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 15.
Has the 2009 Audi A3 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Audi A3 get?
The EPA rates the 2009 Audi A3 (A3, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Audi A3 reported?
Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,500 miles and the middle half falls between 61,200 and 95,000 miles; 21% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.