Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
525–50K
150–75K
575–100K
2100–150K
2150K+
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
14,875 miles · Aug 5, 2009
Power Train
WHEN FEATHERING THE GAS PEDAL THROUGH TRAFFIC, THE CAR SURGES/LURCHES TRYING TO FIND GEAR. ALSO, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN PULLING OUT OF A SIDE STREET OR TAKING OFF FROM A RED LIGHT, WHEN PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL, ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS NO POWER. WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN EARLY '08 AND THE PROBLEM RANDOMLY STARTED TOWARDS…
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WHEN FEATHERING THE GAS PEDAL THROUGH TRAFFIC, THE CAR SURGES/LURCHES TRYING TO FIND GEAR. ALSO, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN PULLING OUT OF A SIDE STREET OR TAKING OFF FROM A RED LIGHT, WHEN PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL, ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS NO POWER. WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN EARLY '08 AND THE PROBLEM RANDOMLY STARTED TOWARDS THE END OF '08. AT THAT TIME WE THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN JUST BAD GAS. IT SEEMS THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT AS OF LATE. READING FORUMS AND ARTICLES ONLINE, IT SEEMS TO BE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS A DSG/S-TRONIC TRANSMISSION. AT THIS TIME, THE DEALER IS STATING NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I OWN ANOTHER CAR WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION, AND THAT SEEMS TO HAVE NONE OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279447
19,000 miles · Jul 26, 2009
Power Train
I HAVE AN AUDI A3 2008 WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. I DROVE IT ON VACATION FROM COLUMBUS OHIO TO NH ABOUT A 15 HR DRIVE. WHEN I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE RPM'S WOULD DIP AS I WOULD APPLY THE BREAK CAUSING THE CAR TO NEARLY STALL. EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENED I HAD TO REACT QUICKLY AS TO MAKE SURE NOT TO HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME.…
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I HAVE AN AUDI A3 2008 WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. I DROVE IT ON VACATION FROM COLUMBUS OHIO TO NH ABOUT A 15 HR DRIVE. WHEN I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE RPM'S WOULD DIP AS I WOULD APPLY THE BREAK CAUSING THE CAR TO NEARLY STALL. EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENED I HAD TO REACT QUICKLY AS TO MAKE SURE NOT TO HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I WOULD LET OFF THE BREAK THE CAR WOULD SURGE FORWARD CAUSING ME TO ABRUPTLY HAVE TO HIT THE BREAK. I TOOK IT TO AUDI AND THEY CLAIM THAT IN HOT WEATHER THIS HAPPENS AND IS A SIDE EFFECT OF THE MECHATRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE VEHICLE BUT THAT IT IS NOT SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO REPLACE THE UNIT UNTIL IT ACTUALLY FAILS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD CONSIDERING I FEEL LIKE I AM TAMING A WILD STALLION ON THE OPEN ROAD. THIS MUST BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278353
16,500 miles · Jul 3, 2009
Power Train
DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. SECOND TO FIRST DOWNSHIFT WOULD BE SEVERE WITH A LOUD "CLUNK" FROM THE DSG. WENT TO DEALER AND VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY TCU(MECHATRONICS MODULE). PART IS ON BACKORDER AND WILL TAKE OVER 1 MONTH TO GET IN. WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE IS OK…
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DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. SECOND TO FIRST DOWNSHIFT WOULD BE SEVERE WITH A LOUD "CLUNK" FROM THE DSG. WENT TO DEALER AND VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY TCU(MECHATRONICS MODULE). PART IS ON BACKORDER AND WILL TAKE OVER 1 MONTH TO GET IN. WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE IS OKAY TO DRIVE BUT WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF RELIABLE PERFORMANCE AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO OTHER TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS I DON'T AGREE. HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND MANY OTHER AUDI AND VW OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH SIGNIFICANT DELAYS IN GETTING THE REPLACEMENT PART. APPARENTLY VAG IS FOCUSED MORE ON PRODUCING NEW VEHICLES THAN MAKING SURE THE VEHICLES ALREADY ON THE ROAD ARE OPERATING PROPERLY. THIS COMPANY HAS NO CONCERN FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE ONCE THEY HAVE YOUR MONEY. *TR
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.
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.
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.
2008 Audi A3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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