2008 Audi A3 recalls and problems

The 2008 Audi A3 has 3 safety recalls and 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

2 / 0

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2008 Audi A3 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2008 Audi A3 recalls

Recall 18V-082: Air Bags

Reported Jan 30, 2018 · 162,782 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 16V-079: Air Bags

Reported Feb 10, 2016 · 151,767 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 09V-377: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Sep 30, 2009 · 10,200 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire could occur.

Fix: 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.

2008 Audi A3 problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	24
Power Train	13
Engine and Engine Cooling	2
Tires	1
Vehicle Speed Control	1
Suspension	1
Structure	1
Unknown or Other	1
Electrical System	1
Fuel/Propulsion System	1

Most reported parts

Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 10
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
Structure › Body — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 25,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2008 Audi A3 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · at 154,000 miles · reported Dec 2, 2019

The check engine light illuminated and has not been able to properly diagnose. More than one mechanic has told me the code p0171 that reads as the diagnostic does not correlate with my car as my car does not have a pcv valve. They have inspected the car to look for similar issues and have found none. Yet the check engine light remains illuminated. There was a recall reported 09/30/2009 on my type of car under campaign 09v377000 but my VIN is not showing as affected by that campaign even though the code that is coming up is a similar issue. I AM extremely concerned about the safety of driving…

Structure · at 110,000 miles · reported Jun 28, 2019

Excessive rear subframe corrosion that isn't being covered by a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. The safety issue stems from; a, a proper alignment isn't possible, b the rear subframe is responsible for maintaining the rear geometry of the vehicle, wheels, brakes and suspension.

Air Bags · at 100,000 miles · reported Jun 28, 2019

Takata recall I received notice in january of 2019 that my vehicle was having a second recall on the takata airbags. I immediately attempted to have the repair done at my local dealership; I could not get through. I then contacted audi corporate, who said they left the local dealershiop messages on my behalf; again no response. After calling multiple other dealerships in my state, one a little over an hour from me actually replied to my messages. It took until june to get this recall completed. Neither audi USA nor it's local dealers seem to care about performing a safety recall in a timely…

Air Bags · at 89,000 miles · reported Nov 15, 2018

Hi, I have been getting emails from audi USA about n airbag recall for my audi a3 but everytime I call my audi dealership in santa monica, ca they say they don't have at the store to try another dealership, I told them to call when they have it and it has been three months and they still don't have it. I bought my car there and I guess their costumer safety is not important when they have to do it for free. Please help.

Air Bags · at 175,000 miles · reported Oct 12, 2018

I keep getting recall notices, month after month, for about 6 months. I had the interim repair done, and have called now at least three times and they keep telling me the part is not available yet. Now I get a notice that says to repair immediately even if an interim repair was recently done. How do I get this done? I keep calling and they keep telling me there is no parts available yet. My son is driving this car now in springfield, il and I AM worried about his safety.

Other Audi A3 years

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Audi A3 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Audi A3: 18V-082 (air bags), 16V-079 (air bags), 09V-377 (fuel system, gasoline). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Audi A3?

Owners report air bags problems most often (24 reports), followed by power train (13). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 25,000 miles.

Are Audi recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Audi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.