repaired · 2020 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
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…
2008 Audi A3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 43 owner complaints about the 2008 Audi A3, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-079 the manufacturer reports only 40% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 2, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Audi A3 has problems
43 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
24Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
13Power train1 crash/fire/injury
2Engine and engine cooling
1Structure
1Suspension
1Tires
1Vehicle speed control
1Electrical system
1Fuel/propulsion system
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 24 | 1 |
| Power train | 13 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2008 Audi A3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
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…
no report yet
Storage: tank assembly
Risk. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other A3 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the A3 median. How we score
'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'15'16'17'18'19'20'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Audi A3 safety ratings
2008 Audi A3 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What A3 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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…
Own a 2008 A3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.