2009 Audi A3 recalls and problems
The 2009 Audi A3 has 5 safety recalls and 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2009 Audi A3 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2009 Audi A3 recalls
Recall 18V-082: Air Bags
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-913: Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.
Risk: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Recall 16V-079: Air Bags
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
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.
Recall 09V-333: Power Train
Problem: Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 passenger cars manufactured between september 2008 and august 2009. The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the direct shift gearbox (Dsg) may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped. With insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the transmission to abruptly shift to neutral. If this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash. In addition, the "depress brake pedal" indicator light will be illuminated, alerting the driver to apply the brakes.
Risk: The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
Fix: Volkswagen will reprogram the transmission control module with updated software free of charge. The recall began on october 20, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
2009 Audi A3 problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 22 | |
| Power Train | 15 | |
| Service Brakes | 8 | |
| Electrical System | 5 | |
| Engine | 5 | |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 4 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | |
| Structure | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 |
Most reported parts
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 2
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
- Structure › Body — 1
- Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 1
- Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Abs Warning Light — 1
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) › Control Module — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 75,000 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 2009 Audi A3 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Audi A3 years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2009 Audi A3 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2009 Audi A3: 18V-082 (air bags), 16V-913 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic), 16V-079 (air bags), 09V-377 (fuel system, gasoline), 09V-333 (power train). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Audi A3?
Owners report air bags problems most often (22 reports), followed by power train (15). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 75,000 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.