3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,851 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2010 Audi A3:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #4

Jul 312015

A3

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started to jerk violently. The contact shut the engine off, but was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was unable to be diagnosed. Then the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #3

Jun 122014

A3 4-cyl Diesel

  • 48,500 miles
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.

- Bunker Hill, IN, USA

problem #2

Oct 032012

A3 4-cyl Diesel

  • 38,753 miles
This complaint relates to a tdi version of the Audi A3. While driving my kids to school, the car stopped dead and would not restart. On inspection by an Audi dealer it was determined that the high pressure fuel pump had failed. The pump failure caused metal particles from the pump itself to circulate in the fuel system doing catastrophic damage to the fuel system and power train. As of this date, the car has been in the shop for repair longer than two weeks with no estimated date of completion. We experienced a similar catastrophic fuel pump failure with our Audi Q7 tdi in June of 2012 which required a new engine, fuel system and other parts (see ODI # 10480946). According to the dealer, the reason for the delay in repairing the A3 relates to the large number of cars with similar fuel system failures which has caused a scarcity of parts. We have been told by the dealer that this same problem is happening to tdi vehicles from both Volkswagen and Audi. I am no engineer, but widespread fuel system failures seem potentially dangerous to drivers and their passengers. This problem deserves an investigation.

- Tarzana, CA, USA

problem #1

Apr 302012

A3 4-cyl Diesel

  • 30,150 miles
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.

- Chantilly, VA, USA