2010 Audi A3 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2010 Audi A3 most often describe sudden stalls or loss of power, often in diesel cars with the glow plug light flashing, and many complaints say the dealer found a failed fuel pump. Other recurring reports involve Takata airbag inflator recall repairs that were delayed or unresolved because parts were not available, transmission shift faults, and engine shut-offs while driving. Most complaints were filed between 2010 and 2015, while the airbag recall complaints are from 2016 to 2018 and mileage is often not stated.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Sudden stall or power loss, often with glow plug light

   • 23 complaints (46%)
   • median 39,100 mi at 3.0 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2015

   Owners describe the engine stalling or losing power while driving, often with the glow plug light flashing and sometimes with a check engine light. In many of these complaints the dealer diagnosed a failed high-pressure or diesel fuel pump, and some say metal debris circulated through the fuel system and the entire system needed replacing. In some cases the car could not be restarted and had to be towed. All were filed between 2011 and 2015, and recorded mileage ranges from 5,000 to 104,600 miles.

   Recall 11V490000

   What to check: Ask whether the diesel fuel system or fuel pump has been replaced, whether recall 11V490000 was completed, and request the service records. On a test drive, check that the glow plug and check engine lights stay off and that the engine accelerates normally from a stop.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our 2010 Audi A3 tdi deisel lost power while traveling at 65 MPH on an interstate highway. After pulling over, we were unable to restart the car. The car was towed to an Audi dealer who informed us that the fuel pump had failed due to contaminated fuel . We had put brand name diesel into the tank on every refill and have the receipts to prove it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10417207, filed 2011-08, 50,611 miles

   “In 30-35 MPH traffic, glow-plug light began flashing. I pulled over, checked the manual, and called the dealership. I was told the car was safe to drive, and was given a service appointment for the following morning. Upon restarting the car, I noticed not only the flashing glow-plug light, but the check-engine light, which had come on as well. Also, when I pulled out, power seemed limited and acceleration difficult. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10433092, filed 2011-10, 22,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Takata airbag recall repairs delayed or unresolved

   • 12 complaints (24%)
   • median 96,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2018

   Owners describe receiving notice of the driver airbag inflator recall, mostly campaign 16V079000, but being told replacement parts were not available for long periods. Some say the manufacturer took longer than a reasonable time to complete the repair, and one says a dealer service check did not report the open recall. Others say the recall remains unresolved, with some reporting a lower trade-in value and others saying they are afraid to drive the car until it is fixed. Mileage is not stated in these complaints, and filings run from 2016 to 2018.

   Recall 16V079000Recall 18V082000

   What to check: Ask whether the driver airbag inflator recall (16V079000 or 18V082000) has been completed and request the completion record, since many complaints describe parts that were not available. Check the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup before buying and ask the dealer to confirm in writing whether a replacement inflator is in stock.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I've been calling for months & months to have this recall fixed. I'm always told that parts are not available. I need to have this fixed!! It's a safety issue. Ford should find a solution for this problem or offer to replace the car at no cost to me. I fear that if this part is not replaced, that my family may be harmed by the ruptured inflator. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11000718, filed 2017-06

   “I plan to trade my car in within 2 months. The dealership said I will get less for my trade in because of the recall has not been resolved. The takata airbag is beyond my control and I should not be the one endangered or suffer a monetary loss. I believe that Audi should provide cash reimbursement for any loss.”

   NHTSA complaint #10916833, filed 2016-10
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine shut-off or intermittent loss of power

   • 14 complaints (28%)
   • median 29,095 mi at 2.0 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2020

   Owners describe the engine stopping or losing power while driving, in one case with no warning lights, and in some cases a restart worked only after the car was turned fully off. Others describe brief, intermittent loss of acceleration from a stop, such as pulling out of a parking space. One complaint describes a rear turbo seal failure that drew engine oil out and a dealer replacing the engine under warranty, and another describes the whole vehicle shutting off on a freeway, including power steering and power brakes. Recorded mileage ranges from 215 to 100,000 miles, and some complaints describe problems within the first few thousand miles.

   What to check: On a test drive, check for hesitation or power loss when pulling away from a stop and at highway speed. Ask whether the dealer has scanned for stored engine codes and whether any turbo, oil, or engine-related repairs were done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on local roads, engine lost power and stopped running suddenly. I was able to restart the car after a minute or so and continued my trip to work. Car is an automatic and the engine just quit like a manual left in gear at a stop sign...a shudder then nothing. Not sure if relevant, but I could only restart the car after completely turning it off and removing the key.”

   NHTSA complaint #10456903, filed 2012-04, 30,150 miles

   “There is an intermittent problem of applying gas and not moving; the engine revs, but does not move forward. This has happened from a full stop or almost a full stop, when trying to turn across oncoming traffic and while crossing a busy intersection. Almost had two accidents in one day. Audi dealership says that if they cannot duplicate the situation, they cannot do anything. I left my car for their service manager to drive indefinitely. It is an extremely dangerous intermittent problem. This is a 2010, 2.0t.”

   NHTSA complaint #10406790, filed 2011-06, 8,400 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   ABS module failure or electrical cut-outs

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2020

   Owners describe a failed ABS control module that deactivated ABS, stability control, and headlight range control, and another owner describes sudden stops and accelerations while driving that was tied to ABS module problems. Other complaints describe headlights, fog lights and turn signals cycling off and on and then dying, with a melted fuse found in the engine compartment. One complaint describes an electrical shutdown that cut power steering and power brakes while driving on a freeway. Recorded mileage ranges from 68,000 to 100,000 miles, and filings run from 2015 to 2020.

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS control module has been diagnosed and whether any ABS or stability codes are stored. During the test drive, confirm that all lights, headlights, and power steering work normally, and inspect the fuse box for melted fuses.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11142215, filed 2018-10, 81,000 miles

   “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 complaint #11256473, filed 2019-09, 80,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shifts into neutral, downshifts or jerks

   Mentioned in 4 of 45 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the automatic or dual-clutch gearbox shifting into neutral or limp mode, with the car needing to be placed in park and restarted before it would drive normally. Others report unexpected downshifts to a lower gear with engine speed rising sharply, and jerking or clunking at slow speeds in gear. One complaint says a dealer found a faulty mechatronic unit that matched a recall, while the manufacturer reportedly said that vehicle was not part of it. Recorded mileage ranges from 8,000 to 70,000 miles, and filings run from 2011 to 2020.

   Recall 09V3330002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether the gearbox has stored fault codes and whether recall 09V333000 applies to the car's VIN. On a test drive, check for neutral shifts, unexpected downshifts, and jerking at low speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car has an automatic transmission that downshifts on its own from automatic (d) to m1 (the lowest manual gear). When this happens the car immediately slows and the engine rpms increase toward the red line. It happens about every 250 miles or so, usually when I am going about 20-25 miles an hour in city driving. The last time it happened, I was holding a cup of coffee and it spilled over my lap. I am worried that it could happen when another car is following closely and result in a rear end collision. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10437213, filed 2011-11, 8,000 miles

   “At slow speeds & when stopped with vehicle in gear (drive or revers) the transmission jerks, clunks, feels like it's engaging and disengaging. It is dangerous - especially when stopped or parking as the vehicle will suddenly lunge forward or backward depending on the gear you are in. Unfortunately it has only resulted in damage to my own vehicle - not to another vehicle or person.”

   NHTSA complaint #11024192, filed 2017-09, 70,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying a 2010 A3, ask whether the airbag inflator recall and any diesel fuel system recall work have been completed, since many complaints describe repair delays. During a test drive, check that the engine restarts and accelerates smoothly from a stop and that the gearbox shifts normally.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 45 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.