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2012 Audi A3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 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

Limited mileage data: 12 of 43 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

43 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2016
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFI…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10892528

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL - MY CAR WAS DELIVERED IN SHREVEPORT, LA AND I BOUGHT IT AFTER IT HAD BEEN IN SERVICE FOR 2 1/2 YEARS IN THAT HUMID ENVIRNMENT. I HAVE IT HOME IN SANTA FE, NM - A DRY ENVIRONMENT. I CAN NOT GET AN ANSWER AS TO ANY PRIORITY I MIGHT HAVE SINCE THE PSDI-5 NON-DESSICATED INFLATOR IN MY CAR HAD BEEN IN A HUMID ENVIRONME…

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TAKATA RECALL - MY CAR WAS DELIVERED IN SHREVEPORT, LA AND I BOUGHT IT AFTER IT HAD BEEN IN SERVICE FOR 2 1/2 YEARS IN THAT HUMID ENVIRNMENT. I HAVE IT HOME IN SANTA FE, NM - A DRY ENVIRONMENT. I CAN NOT GET AN ANSWER AS TO ANY PRIORITY I MIGHT HAVE SINCE THE PSDI-5 NON-DESSICATED INFLATOR IN MY CAR HAD BEEN IN A HUMID ENVIRONMENT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. I AM NOT DRIVING THE CAR - IT IS UNSAFE FOR ME.

NHTSA ODI #10865695

21,469 miles · May 6, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL. I GOT A LETTER FROM AUDI ON 4/27/2106. THE LETTER IS ATTACHED. PLEASE IGNORE MY NOTES. IT STATED MY CAR WAS BEING RECALLED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FRONT AIRBAG MADE BY TAKATA. PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE AND NO KNOWS WHEN THEY WILL BE. I CALLED AUDI AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT BE PROVIDING RENTAL CARS TO THEIR CUSTOME…

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TAKATA RECALL. I GOT A LETTER FROM AUDI ON 4/27/2106. THE LETTER IS ATTACHED. PLEASE IGNORE MY NOTES. IT STATED MY CAR WAS BEING RECALLED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FRONT AIRBAG MADE BY TAKATA. PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE AND NO KNOWS WHEN THEY WILL BE. I CALLED AUDI AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT BE PROVIDING RENTAL CARS TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. I CALLED 2 DEALERS IN COLUMBUS, OHIO AND THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE RENTAL CARS AS THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. MEANWHILE I AM SCREWED. I AND ALL THE OTHER IMPACTED AUDI OWNERS HAVE TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR. THIS IS TERRIBLE. I COULD USE YOUR HELP TO GET AUDI TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

NHTSA ODI #10863642

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2016
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (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 MADE AWARE OF…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10862635

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10860894

84,700 miles · Apr 5, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND DRIVING ABOUT 50 FEET, THE VEHICLE DRIVER DISPLAY SCREEN SIGNALED THAT MULTIPLE EXTERIOR LIGHTS HAD FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. SENSING THAT MULTIPLE LIGHT BULBS WOULD NOT FAIL AT ONCE UNLESS THERE WAS A LARGER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, I PROMPTLY MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE LOCAL AUDI SERVICE CENTER THE NEXT DAY.…

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AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND DRIVING ABOUT 50 FEET, THE VEHICLE DRIVER DISPLAY SCREEN SIGNALED THAT MULTIPLE EXTERIOR LIGHTS HAD FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. SENSING THAT MULTIPLE LIGHT BULBS WOULD NOT FAIL AT ONCE UNLESS THERE WAS A LARGER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, I PROMPTLY MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE LOCAL AUDI SERVICE CENTER THE NEXT DAY. AFTER DIAGNOSIS BY AUDI TECHNICIANS, I LEARNED THAT THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD HAD MELTED DUE TO OVERLOAD OF CIRCUITS OR WIRING IN THE BOX. HAD I NOT TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR, THE OVERLOAD COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE BAY. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND OTHER OCCURRENCES EXPERIENCED BY VOLKSWAGEN/AUDI VEHICLE DRIVERS WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. PLEASE ADD THIS INCIDENT TO YOUR RECORD OF CASES. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10853652

50,209 miles · Nov 13, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

WHILE DRIVING MY LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY GO OUT BOTH DURING DAY AND NIGHT. DASH WARNING WOULD BE BULB OUT NEEDING REPLACING BUT NOTHING WAS EVER WRONG WITH THE BULBS OR TURN SIGNALS. ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT AND WARNING WOULD GO AWAY ON IT'S OWN OR AFTER CAR RESTARTED. LATER WHEN DASH WARNING CAME ON AND STAYED ON I TOOK IT INTO SER…

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WHILE DRIVING MY LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY GO OUT BOTH DURING DAY AND NIGHT. DASH WARNING WOULD BE BULB OUT NEEDING REPLACING BUT NOTHING WAS EVER WRONG WITH THE BULBS OR TURN SIGNALS. ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT AND WARNING WOULD GO AWAY ON IT'S OWN OR AFTER CAR RESTARTED. LATER WHEN DASH WARNING CAME ON AND STAYED ON I TOOK IT INTO SERVICE WHICH LATER WAS DIAGNOSED TO BE A MELTED FUSE BOX PANEL ON F16 & F17. BOTH FUSE SLOTS WERE MELTED ALONG WITH F16 FUSE (15AMP) AND BURN MARKS ALONG THE HOUSING. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE KNOWN ISSUE WHICH WAS RECALLED ON VW SIDE BUT NOT BY AUDI. THE FUSEBOX IS 1K0937125D. AUDI OF AMERICA SHOULD HAVE HAD THIS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FROM WHEN THE SYMPTOMS STARTED, OR RECALLED THE PART AS WAS DONE ON VW SIDE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND POTENTIAL FIRE ISSUE WITH THE MELTING OF PANEL AND FUSE.

NHTSA ODI #10790335

71,000 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH, AN MIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. A CONSISTENT CHANGE IN POWER OR DRIVABILITY WAS NOT EXPERIENCED IMMEDIATELY, BUT INTERMITTENT MOMENTS OF SLIGHT POWER LOSS WERE NOTICED (1 SECOND DROP IN POWER) DURING BOTH CRUISE OR ACCELERATION DURING THE REMAINING DRIVE HOME AFTER THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WH…

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WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH, AN MIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. A CONSISTENT CHANGE IN POWER OR DRIVABILITY WAS NOT EXPERIENCED IMMEDIATELY, BUT INTERMITTENT MOMENTS OF SLIGHT POWER LOSS WERE NOTICED (1 SECOND DROP IN POWER) DURING BOTH CRUISE OR ACCELERATION DURING THE REMAINING DRIVE HOME AFTER THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME, I INSPECTED THE ENGINE FOR ANY OBVIOUS SIGNS SUCH AS DISCONNECTED OR LOOSE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, OIL LEVEL, ETC. I DID FIND A POOL OF OIL ON TOP OF THE CYLINDER HEAD POOLING AROUND THE INJECTOR PORTS. THIS CAUSED ME GREAT CONCERN, SO ON JULY 3, I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUDI DEALERSHIP. AFTER TWO DAYS, AN ASST. SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME TO PRESENT A DIAGNOSIS THAT THE EXHAUST FLAP, ASSOCIATED WITH THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM, REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AND THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED BY AUDI FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. THE OIL POOLING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO REMNANTS FROM A PREVIOUS SERVICE VISIT TO THIS SAME DEALERSHIP. THE ASST. SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED THAT THE OIL WAS CLEANED FROM TOP OF ENGINE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN WITH NO PERCEIVABLE OIL DISCHARGE OCCURRING AFTERWARD. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE EXHAUST FLAP IS AN ISSUE FOR ALL VEHICLES WITH THE CBEA ENGINE TYPE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY AUDI DUE TO FAULTY QUALITY. BEING AN EMISSIONS COMPONENT, THE QUALITY OF THE EMISSIONS CONTROL MUST BE IMPACTED OR AT LEAST DETRIMENTAL TO OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE SYSTEM WHICH REGULATE THE EMISSION OF NOXIOUS GREENHOUSE GASES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE DRIVABILITY COULD SUFFER TO A GREATER EXTENT OVERTIME IF THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM BECOMES COMPROMISED BY THIS FAULTY EQUIPMENT. MY HOPE IS THAT AUDI WILL OPEN A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THIS COMPONENT FOR LOYAL CUSTOMERS AND PROLONG THE LIFE OF THE TDI CLEAN DIESEL AND ITS REMARKABLE REDUCED EMISSIONS TECHNOLOGY.

NHTSA ODI #10732364

68,884 miles · Apr 20, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON EVENING ON APRIL 16, 2015, THE ENGINE NOISE WAS NOTICEABLY MORE PRONOUNCED. ONE MILE FURTHER, A FLASHING GLOW PLUG LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY A DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER (LIMITED TO 25 MPH). DROVE REMAINING SHORT DISTANCE HOME AT A LOW SPEED DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. AFTER TOWING VEHICLE TO AUDI DEALERSHI…

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WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON EVENING ON APRIL 16, 2015, THE ENGINE NOISE WAS NOTICEABLY MORE PRONOUNCED. ONE MILE FURTHER, A FLASHING GLOW PLUG LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY A DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER (LIMITED TO 25 MPH). DROVE REMAINING SHORT DISTANCE HOME AT A LOW SPEED DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. AFTER TOWING VEHICLE TO AUDI DEALERSHIP THE NEXT MORNING, TECHNICIAN REPORTED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD DISINTEGRATED AND SENT METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ALL FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10711857

71,000 miles · Mar 13, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

LOSS OF POWER AT SPEED IN TRAFFIC DUE TO A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE, JUST AVOIDING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS CAUSED BY EITHER INCORRECT/CONTAMINATED FUEL OR INCORRECT OIL BY THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE USED ONLY DIESEL FUEL FROM NATIONAL STATIONS, HAVE NEVER USED BIO DIESEL AND HAVE USED THE CORRECT…

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LOSS OF POWER AT SPEED IN TRAFFIC DUE TO A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE, JUST AVOIDING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS CAUSED BY EITHER INCORRECT/CONTAMINATED FUEL OR INCORRECT OIL BY THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE USED ONLY DIESEL FUEL FROM NATIONAL STATIONS, HAVE NEVER USED BIO DIESEL AND HAVE USED THE CORRECT AUDI APPROVED OIL. THIS IS APPARENTLY A WIDE SPREAD ENGINEERING ISSUE THAT HAS NOW DICTATED THE COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT ON THIS VEHICLE (AND NUMEROUS OTHERS) AT A SIZABLE COST WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF LIFE IF OCCURRING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AUDI IS NOT OFFERING ANY SOLUTIONS NOR DO THEY STATE ON THEIR SERVICE SCHEDULES THAT THE PUMP SHOULD BE CHECKED, REPLACED OR ADDITIVES USED (ALTHOUGH IF YOU CALL THEY STRONGLY SUGGEST). THE TDI MODELS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND THE EFFECTED PARTS REPLACED. THIS WAS A 2012 A3 TDI MODEL WITH 71,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694181

Official recalls

4

19V862000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Dec 4, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.

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.

11V490000 · Fuel System, Diesel

Oct 3, 2011

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

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

2

PE11023 · Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage

Opened Aug 2, 2011 · Closed Dec 2, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Diesel

By letter dated October 3, 2011, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address a defect in approximately 168,275 model year (MY) 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Golf, and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with the 2.0L TDI Common Rail Clean Diesel engine (NHTSA Recall No. 11V-490).The recalled Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen vehicles were built from May 2008 through September 2011, the Golf vehicles were built from May 2009 through September 2011, and the Audi A3 vehicles were built from September 2009 through September 2011.According to Volkswagen, in U.S. applications of the above cited TDI vehicles including engine codes CJAA and CBEA, the fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the injector line #2 in specific load and RPM conditions.This resonance creates additional stress on the fuel line which a small number of parts (based on the statistic spread of line strength) cannot withstand over its lifetime.As a contributing factor, VW indicated that a supplier used tube material with scratch marks from a grinding process during certain production periods.Lines manufactured in these periods were installed in vehicles produced in the following 10 months:December 2008, January-February 2009, October 2009, March-April 2010 and September-December 2010.Injector lines using this material exhibit a significantly higher failure rate.Dealers will replace injector line #2 in all vehicles built in these months.In addition, as a precautionary measure, all recalled vehicles will have vibration dampers installed on all four fuel injector lines.Analysis of NHTSA complaints, VW complaints, VW field reports and warranty claims found allegations of injector line leakage in 443 subject vehicles.The leaking line was not identified in 62 of the vehicles.For the 381 that did provide information about which injector lines were leaking and/or replaced, 358 (94%) involved an injector line #2 leak/repair.Almost three-quarters of the injector line #2 leak/repair incident vehicles were built in the 10 months identified by VW, which accounted for approximately one-quarter of the recalled vehicles.The failure rate for injector line #2 in vehicles built in the 10 months affected by the supplier line scratching issue is 6.0 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV).The failure rate for injector line #2 in other production months of recalled vehicles is 0.8 IPTV.The leak/repair rates for the other injector lines are all well under 1 IPTV.The action taken by Volkswagen is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation. The agency will continue to monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

EA11003 · High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

Opened Feb 7, 2011 · Closed Mar 27, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Diesel; Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump

The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Diesel

The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.

Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump

The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.