NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
37 reportsClear category filter61,000 miles · Jul 7, 2013
Power Train
2006 AUDI A3 2.0T WITH DSG. TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING SOMETIMES ON ACCELERATION, SOMETIMES WITH STEADY DRIVING. STEPPED ON ACCELERATOR AT STOP LIGHT AND TRANSMISSION ENGAGED FOR ABOUT 5 FEET, THEN CAR LURCHED TO A STOP, THEN TRANSMISSION CAUGHT AND IT ACCELERATED FORWARD AGAIN. ISSUE REPEATED TWO MORE TIMES WITHIN THE HOUR. TO…
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2006 AUDI A3 2.0T WITH DSG. TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING SOMETIMES ON ACCELERATION, SOMETIMES WITH STEADY DRIVING. STEPPED ON ACCELERATOR AT STOP LIGHT AND TRANSMISSION ENGAGED FOR ABOUT 5 FEET, THEN CAR LURCHED TO A STOP, THEN TRANSMISSION CAUGHT AND IT ACCELERATED FORWARD AGAIN. ISSUE REPEATED TWO MORE TIMES WITHIN THE HOUR. TODAY I WAS CRUISING AT A STEADY 70 MPH, 6TH GEAR, ABOUT 2800 RPM, AND THE TRANSMISSION LET GO AND RPMS DROPPED TO ABOUT 2200 BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN AT 2800 RPM. HAPPENED ONCE PER MILE AFTER THAT, AND THEN TWICE AGAIN ON SURFACE STREETS IN 4TH GEAR. APPEARS TO MATCH EXACTLY THE SYMPTOMS OWNERS EXPERIENCE WITH RECALLED 2007-2010 VEHICLES WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523555
96,000 miles · Jun 18, 2013
Power Train
REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE09035, RECALL NUMBER: 09V333000 I HAD EXACTLY THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUE OCCUR ON MY 2006 AUDI A3. THIS A3 HAS A 2.0T ENGINE AND 6 SPEED DSG TRANSMISSION. TODAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITH NO WARNING DOWNSHIFTED AND THEN ALL PRNDS LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLASH. I WAS ABL…
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REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE09035, RECALL NUMBER: 09V333000 I HAD EXACTLY THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUE OCCUR ON MY 2006 AUDI A3. THIS A3 HAS A 2.0T ENGINE AND 6 SPEED DSG TRANSMISSION. TODAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITH NO WARNING DOWNSHIFTED AND THEN ALL PRNDS LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLASH. I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE THE CAR TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. IT APPEARED TO HAVE ONLY ONE FORWARD GEAR (3RD). I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO A PLACE FOR TOWING. EVEN REVERSE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THIS TRANSMISSION WAS RECENTLY SERVICED. I HAVE KEPT THE CAR WELL MAINTAINED AND IT WAS ONLY DEALER MAINTAINED UNTIL RECENTLY. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS RIDICULOUS. HAD THE TRAFFIC NOT BEEN LIGHT, I WOULD HAVE LIKELY HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE DOWNSHIFT WAS ABRUPT AND CAUSED A VIOLENT JERKING IN THE CAR. THE CAR HAS NOT DISPLAYED ANY EVIDENCE OF HARDER SHIFTING OVER TIME. THIS IS THE SAME GEARBOX SYSTEM AS IN THE RECALLED MODEL YEARS. THE RECALL MUST BE ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE EARLIER MODELS WITH THE SAME SYSTEM. THIS IS A SYSTEMIC DEFECT. I HAVE FOUND THIS ISSUE ACROSS NUMEROUS AUDI OWNER FORUM WEBSITES COVERING WIDER MODEL YEARS THAN LISTED ON THIS RECALL. I REQUEST NHTSA INVESTIGATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520495
61,453 miles · Jun 11, 2013
Power Train
VEHICLE GOES OUT OF GEARS WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 20MINS IN HOT WEATHER, THIS WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH. THE "PRNDS" LIGHT FLASH FOR A QUICK SECOND AND BACK INTO GEAR AGAIN. I HAVE VARIOUS ISSUES WITH HARSH SHIFTS UP AND DOWN, ESPECIALLY IN THE LOWER GEARS. WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP THE VEHICLE HAS A HOT TIME G…
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VEHICLE GOES OUT OF GEARS WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 20MINS IN HOT WEATHER, THIS WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH. THE "PRNDS" LIGHT FLASH FOR A QUICK SECOND AND BACK INTO GEAR AGAIN. I HAVE VARIOUS ISSUES WITH HARSH SHIFTS UP AND DOWN, ESPECIALLY IN THE LOWER GEARS. WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP THE VEHICLE HAS A HOT TIME GOING IN TO SECOND GEAR AND SOMETIME FIRST. IT MAKES A VERY NOTICEABLE CLUNK SOUND WHEN IT DOES. FROM A STOP, GIVING JUST A BIT OF GAS AND THE CAR DON'T SEEM TO MOVE THEN IT WILL SURGE UNTIL THE SPEED COMES UP. WHILE GETTING UP TO SPEED IT WILL TRY TO GET INTO THE HIGHEST GEAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, I WOULD BE IN 6TH GEAR WHILE ONLY GOING 35MPH. THERE ARE SOME SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVED AND THAT IS WHY I'M TAKING THE TIME TO FILE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10516203
90,000 miles · Feb 17, 2013
Power Train
WHEN COMING SLOWLY TO A STOP THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD. TRAVELING SLOWLY FORWARD OR REVERSE WILL ALSO CAUSE UNEXPECTED SURGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498447
91,000 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JUMP ABNORMALLY BEFORE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE MECHATRONIC …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JUMP ABNORMALLY BEFORE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE MECHATRONIC UNIT FOR THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE MECHATRONIC UNIT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 91,000. UPDATED 10/22/13 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10482343
50,000 miles · Aug 2, 2012
Power Train
I HAVE AN AUDI A3 2006. SEVERAL YEARS AGO (END OF 2009/BEGINNING OF 2010), I STARTED FEELING AND HEARING A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE CAR WOULD LUNGE FORWARD A FEW INCHES WHEN APPROACHING STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS AND DOWNSHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST GEAR. THIS WOULD HAPPEN PERIODICALLY AND HAS BEEN INCREASING IN STRENGTH. I WAS TOLD BY …
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I HAVE AN AUDI A3 2006. SEVERAL YEARS AGO (END OF 2009/BEGINNING OF 2010), I STARTED FEELING AND HEARING A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE CAR WOULD LUNGE FORWARD A FEW INCHES WHEN APPROACHING STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS AND DOWNSHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST GEAR. THIS WOULD HAPPEN PERIODICALLY AND HAS BEEN INCREASING IN STRENGTH. I WAS TOLD BY AUDI THAT IT WAS A DUE TO A FAULTY MECHATRONIC SYSTEM, WHICH IS LIKE THE BRAINS OF THE CAR. AUDI SERVICE QUOTED ME A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $2500 TO REPLACE THE MECHATRONIC SYSTEM. I HAVE READ ON MANY FORUMS THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO MANY AUDI A3 OWNERS AND THAT THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. GIVEN THE FREQUENCY OF THE ISSUE, I THINK THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY AUDI AND RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10468942
76,000 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Power Train
MY VEHICLE FAILED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS - FAILED TO MOVE ON A STOP SIGN - MOVED VERY WEAKLY WHEN TAKING A LEFT TURN WHILE IN THE CENTER TURN LANE. CARS WERE COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND I BARELY MISSED HAVING AN ACCIDENT. - VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND COMPLETELY FAILED TO MOVE WHILE STILL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.…
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MY VEHICLE FAILED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS - FAILED TO MOVE ON A STOP SIGN - MOVED VERY WEAKLY WHEN TAKING A LEFT TURN WHILE IN THE CENTER TURN LANE. CARS WERE COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND I BARELY MISSED HAVING AN ACCIDENT. - VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND COMPLETELY FAILED TO MOVE WHILE STILL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WHEN THIS HAPPENED "PRNDS" FLASHED ON THE DASH. - I HAVE THE VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM WHEN IT HAPPENED. THIS PROBLEM IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND AUDI HAS RECALLED MANY CARS (2007 ONWARDS), BUT MY CAR WASN'T RECALLED. THE RECALL NOTICE FROM AUDI IS IN 2009 AND MY CAR WAS NOT IN IT. WHY IS THAT? HOW DOES AUDI DECIDE WHICH CARS TO INCLUDE IN THE RECALL? I THINK THAT PROCESS IS COMPLETELY FLAWED. I BELIEVE AUDI CUT CORNERS AND DID NOT RECALL ALL THE CARS THEY SHOULD HAVE. JUST ENOUGH TO CALM PEOPLE DOWN AS THIS PROBLEM WAS ALSO SHOWN ON TV NEWS. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED BY THE DEALER BY CHANGING THE "MECHATRONICS UNIT" OF MY CAR. THIS FIX IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THEY DID FOR 2007 YEAR MODELS, SO WHY WAS 2006 NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL NOTICE OF AUG 2009. I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE STILL MANY CARS ON THE STREET THAT STILL HAS THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM, JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. NHTSA SHOULD USE ALL ITS POWER TO RESTART THIS INVESTIGATION AND MAKE AUDI WORK RESPONSIBLY TOWARDS FIXING THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10419093
89,000 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Power Train
AUDI DSG TRANSMISSION SAFETY ISSUE - THE"PRNDS" ON MY DASH OFTEN STARTS FLASHING, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW IN A "LIMP" MODE. I THEN HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, TURN THE IGNITION OFF, START THE CAR, AND PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE MODE. I DO ALL OF THIS WHILE EITHER ROLLING DOWN THE ROAD OR THE ALTERNATIVE IS FIND A PLACE TO PU…
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AUDI DSG TRANSMISSION SAFETY ISSUE - THE"PRNDS" ON MY DASH OFTEN STARTS FLASHING, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW IN A "LIMP" MODE. I THEN HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, TURN THE IGNITION OFF, START THE CAR, AND PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE MODE. I DO ALL OF THIS WHILE EITHER ROLLING DOWN THE ROAD OR THE ALTERNATIVE IS FIND A PLACE TO PULL OVER. AUDI RECOGNIZES THIS AS A PROBLEM ON DSG EQUIPPED VEHICLES JUST A FEW MONTHS NEWER THAN MINE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WILL NOT ADMIT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON CARS BUILT WITH THE SAME EQUIPMENT JUST A LITTLE EARLIER. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE WITH AUDI. THEY CLAIM IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT WILL COST $4800 AND CAN ONLY BE DONE AT A DEALER. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR OVER 1.5 YEARS AND HAS GOTTEN MUCH MORE FREQUENT IN THE LAST HALF YEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410268
78,000 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Power Train
MY 2006 AUDI A3 WITH DSG TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES SLIPS WHEN HOT WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP. ALSO SURGES IN FIRST GEAR OCCASIONALLY WHEN HOT. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT IN FOR REPAIRS AS THEY ARE TOO EXPENSIVE. THERE HAS BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE ON AUTO FORUMS. IM GOING TO TAKE IT IN THIS WEEK AND SEE WH…
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MY 2006 AUDI A3 WITH DSG TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES SLIPS WHEN HOT WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP. ALSO SURGES IN FIRST GEAR OCCASIONALLY WHEN HOT. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT IN FOR REPAIRS AS THEY ARE TOO EXPENSIVE. THERE HAS BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE ON AUTO FORUMS. IM GOING TO TAKE IT IN THIS WEEK AND SEE WHAT THE CHARGE WOULD BE TO CHECK IT OUT. BUT IM SURE ITS THE SAME PROBLEM AS ALL THE OTHER AUDI AND VW CARS OUT THERE WITH THE DSG TRANNY.IM SCARED TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND GET HIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410156
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2011
Power Train
I NOTICE AFTER DRIVING MY 06 AUDI A3 FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND WITH THE ENGINE WARMED UP, THE CAR WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY EVERY TIME AFTER WARM UP, AND IT WOULD SOMETIMES STALL. MY CAR IS A AUTOMATIC WITH DSG. THE JERKING HAPPENS WHEN I APPLIED THE GAS AND IT WOULD HAPPEN IN ALL THE GEARS. THERE WOULD BE TIMES WHERE I'D BE MAKING A …
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I NOTICE AFTER DRIVING MY 06 AUDI A3 FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND WITH THE ENGINE WARMED UP, THE CAR WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY EVERY TIME AFTER WARM UP, AND IT WOULD SOMETIMES STALL. MY CAR IS A AUTOMATIC WITH DSG. THE JERKING HAPPENS WHEN I APPLIED THE GAS AND IT WOULD HAPPEN IN ALL THE GEARS. THERE WOULD BE TIMES WHERE I'D BE MAKING A TURN TO CROSS ON COMING TRAFFIC, I HIT THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULD JERK GIVING ME NO POWER AND STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC! GOOD THING THEY STOPPED FOR ME! BUT WHAT IF I'M NOT SO LUCKY THE NEXT TIME AROUND? WHAT IF THEY DON'T STOP IN TIME? AND WHAT IF I HAVE MY LITTLE SISTER, NIECES AND NEPHEWS IN MY CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS? I TOOK IT TO THE AUDI DEALER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE THE JERKING AND STALLING. TWICE! I FEEL LIKE AUDI KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT WONT ADMIT TO IT AND DO NOTHING. SO MANY VW OR AUDI OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT MONEY, IS ABOUT HUMAN LIVES WHICH SHOULD BE MORE VALUED THAN MONEY TO AUDI. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10409291
Official recalls
4Jan 30, 2018
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 frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Feb 10, 2016
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 may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Sep 30, 2009
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 ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE VALVE CLOSED UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUDI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WITH AN IMPROVED VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.
Aug 7, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING PRODUCTION OF THE AIR BAG, EITHER THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INFLATION MODULE MAY LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT INFLATE AS DESIGNED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗