2010 Audi A3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 22%of 50 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,976miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Audi A3, 22% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,976 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10609735, filed 2014-07, 48,500 miles“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“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“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“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 milesRelated recalls
- 09V333000Aug 20, 2009Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 passenger cars manufactured between september 2008 and august 2009. The wiring harness of a…Covers: Audi A3 2009–2010, Volkswagen Jetta 2009–2010, GTI 2009–2010 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11007305Aug 8, 2024This bulletin offers information about the basic information needed for technical requests for gaerbox complaints.
- 11007224Aug 8, 2024This bulletin offers information about the basic information needed for technical requests for gaerbox complaints.
- 11005861Jul 31, 2024This bulletin provides information when there is a fault shown; Engine: start/stop system, and the start system is not working; mileage below 50 km/32 miles.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 14% |
| 2022 | 2 | 22% |
| 2020 | 2 | 13% |
| 2019 | 1 | 10% |
| 2018 | 4 | 12% |
| 2017 | 6 | 14% |
| 2016 | 6 | 7% |
| 2015 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 2 | 10% |
| 2011 | 3 | 7% |
| 2010 | 11 | 22% |
| 2009 | 15 | 32% |
| 2008 | 13 | 30% |
| 2007 | 16 | 31% |
| 2006 | 37 | 30% |
| 2004 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2010 Audi A3
19 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Audi A3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology