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2008 Audi A3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Audi A3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 26.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

25 reports with mileage · 18 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

43 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2016
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE …

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10910783

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2016
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NO…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10908674

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL. WHEN WILL THIS BE ADDRESSED FOR MY VEHICLE?

NHTSA ODI #10895735

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. .…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ...UPDATED 10/11/16 *BF UPDATED 10/13/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10893268

78,000 miles · May 3, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA AIR BAG COMMUNICATION FROM AUDI INDICATES A RECALL IS IN PROGRESS BUT ACCORDING TO THEIR WEBSITE THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS, OR SCHEDULE DATE TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE CAR. THEY SHOULD MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT FOR ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION WHILE SORTING OUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, AND DANGEROUS. WHO WANTS TO USE A …

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TAKATA AIR BAG COMMUNICATION FROM AUDI INDICATES A RECALL IS IN PROGRESS BUT ACCORDING TO THEIR WEBSITE THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS, OR SCHEDULE DATE TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE CAR. THEY SHOULD MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT FOR ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION WHILE SORTING OUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, AND DANGEROUS. WHO WANTS TO USE A DANGEROUS CAR?

NHTSA ODI #10862786

85,000 miles · Nov 28, 2014
Air BagsCrash

WAS COMING FROM WORK JUST HAD GOTTEN ON THE INTERSTATE . MY SPEED WAS 75 MILES A HOUR A DEAR HIT MY CAR THAT KNOCKED THE DEAR AROUND 20 FEET AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT . IT PUSHED THE RADIATOR INTO THE MOTOR AND ALL WAS PUSHED INTO THE FRONT TIRE. TORE THE MIRROR FROM THE DRIVERS DOOR DAMAGE ALL DOWN THE DRIVERS SIDE . NO MORE HEADL…

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WAS COMING FROM WORK JUST HAD GOTTEN ON THE INTERSTATE . MY SPEED WAS 75 MILES A HOUR A DEAR HIT MY CAR THAT KNOCKED THE DEAR AROUND 20 FEET AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT . IT PUSHED THE RADIATOR INTO THE MOTOR AND ALL WAS PUSHED INTO THE FRONT TIRE. TORE THE MIRROR FROM THE DRIVERS DOOR DAMAGE ALL DOWN THE DRIVERS SIDE . NO MORE HEADLIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE ALL WAS GONE . NOW THE QUESTION IS WHY DIDN'T THE AIRBAG WORK ? IT DIDN'T DEPLOY WITH THIS IMPACT SO WHAT HAS TO HAPPENED FOR THE AIRBAGS TO WORK ? ...UPDATED 12/11/14 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10661231

83,000 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Power TrainCrash

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL LOOSING THE ABILITY TO POWER THE VEHICLE ALMOST CAUSING A MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT IT IS THE S-TRONIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL BOX CAUSING THE ISSUE. THE INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW WITH THE SECOND TIME WITH A NEAR MISS ALMOST CAUSING A CR…

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WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL LOOSING THE ABILITY TO POWER THE VEHICLE ALMOST CAUSING A MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT IT IS THE S-TRONIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL BOX CAUSING THE ISSUE. THE INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW WITH THE SECOND TIME WITH A NEAR MISS ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. THIS CONTROL MODULE FAILED IN OUR VEHICLE AT 34,000 MILES (ESTIMATE) COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW AGAIN AT 83,000 MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED AUDI AND I AM NOT RECEIVING ANY ASSISTANCE FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ITEM - LOOSING POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH A FATALITY OR INJURY. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL TO REPLACE THE MODULE WITH A KNOWN GOOD MODULE. INSTEAD, IT APPEARS THAT THE FIRST MODULE REPLACEMENT DID NOT INCLUDE WHATEVER FIX THEY HAD DONE. WE ARE CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY IN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE SINCE WE TRANSPORT OUR YOUNG CHILDREN IN IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566132

47,000 miles · May 15, 2011
Power Train

DSG TRANSMISSION HARSH ENGAGEMENT AND BANGING BUCKING WHEN STARTING FROM STOP OR IN REVERSE ALSO WHEN ENGAGING FORM PARK. WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL AND BANG/LURCH FORWARD OR BACK WHEN IT ENGAGES MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO PARK AND PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPAIR UNTIL TSB FOR MECHATRONIC RELEASED. NEW UNIT CURED …

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DSG TRANSMISSION HARSH ENGAGEMENT AND BANGING BUCKING WHEN STARTING FROM STOP OR IN REVERSE ALSO WHEN ENGAGING FORM PARK. WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL AND BANG/LURCH FORWARD OR BACK WHEN IT ENGAGES MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO PARK AND PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPAIR UNTIL TSB FOR MECHATRONIC RELEASED. NEW UNIT CURED PROBLEM FOR APROX 15K MILES NOW BACK AND GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. DEALERSHIP ADVISED TO "WAIT UNTIL IT GOT BAD" TO BRING IT IN SINE THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT FIX WAS. BROUGHT BACK IN AT 47K MILES AND THEY RE-ADAPTED TRANSMISSION AND IT GOT WORSE. TECHNICAL SUPPORT TOLD THEM TO ORDER ANOTHER MECHATRONICS (2ND REPLACEMENT) AS THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. WAITING ON PART NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400923

22,200 miles · Jan 18, 2011
Power Train

WHEN IN TRAFFIC THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM DRIVER. THE CAR BUCKS BACK AND FORTH, ALMOST LIKE THE CAR IS STALLING. ON A HILL, IF YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OF THE BRAKE, THE CAR BEGINS TO ROLL BACKWARD - FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL CAUSES THE CAR TO STOP ROLLING BACKWARDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10377120

50,583 miles · Dec 6, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

AS I WAS ACCELERATING UPWARD ONTO THE HIGHWAY RAMP THE VEHICLE STALLED AND JERKED FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS. IT STOPPED FOR ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 7 MORE MILES UNTIL I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY. IT OCCURRED AFTER THE STOP I MADE AFTER I LEFT THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369403

Official recalls

3

18V082000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 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.

16V079000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

09V377000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.