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2009 Audi A3Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 47 owner complaints about the 2009 Audi A3, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-079 the manufacturer reports only 40% of affected cars repaired.

2009 Audi A3
45
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the A3 median · #4 of 14 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Lowest repair rate 40%Owner complaints478 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage89kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 13, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Audi A3 has problems

47 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags222
Power train153
Service brakes82
Electrical system50
Engine51
Electronic stability control (ESC)40
Exterior lighting20
Engine and engine cooling11
Service brakes, air10
2 other systems22

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2009 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.

75%repaired · 2020 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 18V-082 · Jan 30, 2018 · 162,782 vehicles · 122,309 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

43%repaired · 2018 Q2

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Recall 16V-913 · Dec 20, 2016 · 135,683 vehicles · 57,891 repaired

Risk. A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

40%repaired · 2018 Q2

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 16V-079 · Feb 10, 2016 · 151,767 vehicles · 61,266 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall

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

2009 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

2009 Audi A3 safety ratings

2009 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2009 Audi A3, and the recalls they led to.

  1. VEHICLE STALL/LOSS MOTIVE POWERPE09035 · closed Nov 19, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-333
  2. Diesel Fuel Injector Line LeakagePE11023 · closed Dec 2, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-490
In owners' words

What A3 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I had purchased the car back in August 17th 2021 my power steering my brakes my airbag light and the fuel system fuel leak started happening all at once water was draining out of the middle of the engine. It overheating the engine speed ball down and I automatically I instantly pulled over and…
Complaint 11456529 · Mar 13, 2022
I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING NOTICES OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL REGULARLY FOR ALMOST A YEAR. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I ASKED TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. HAVING NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE DEALER (BUT STILL RECEIVING NOTICES, THE LATEST ONE TODAY), I PLACED AN ORDER FOR THE PARTS IN MID-NOVEMBER…
Complaint 11165283 · Jan 4, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (GURLEY LEEP MOTORWERKS,…
Complaint 11141864 · Oct 22, 2018

Own a 2009 A3?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.