MYRModel Year Report

2008 Audi A3

● Typical for this model
2008 Audi A3
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:31:40.190Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Audi A3 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 2001: 1 complaints 2001 2003: 2 complaints 2004: 6 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 123 complaints 2007: 52 complaints 2008: 43 complaints 2008 2009: 47 complaints 2010: 50 complaints 2011: 43 complaints 2011 2012: 43 complaints 2013: 20 complaints 2015: 89 complaints 2015 2016: 80 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 33 complaints 2018 2019: 10 complaints 2020: 16 complaints 2022: 9 complaints 2022 2023: 6 complaints 2024: 1 complaints 2025: 3 complaints 2025
2008: 43 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20011
20032
20046
20050
2006123
200752
200843
200947
201050
201143
201243
201320
201589
201680
201744
201833
201910
202016
20229
20236
20241
20253

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 56%

56% of complaints: air bags — 24 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

WAS COMING FROM WORK JUST HAD GOTTEN ON THE INTERSTATE . MY SPEED WAS 75 MILES A HOUR A DEAR HIT MY CAR THAT KNOCKED THE DEAR AROUND 20 FEET AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT . IT PUSHED THE RADIATOR INTO THE MOTOR AND ALL WAS PUSHED INTO THE FRONT TIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20141128

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181012

TAKATA RECALL I AM STILL RECEIVING NOTICES BY MAIL BUT NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER AND THEY STILL DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO REPLACE MY AIRBAG. HOW MUCH LONGER CAN WAIT WITHOUT PUTTING MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN DANGER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180715

POWER TRAIN 23%

23% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

WHEN FEATHERING THE GAS PEDAL THROUGH TRAFFIC, THE CAR SURGES/LURCHES TRYING TO FIND GEAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20090805

DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. SECOND TO FIRST DOWNSHIFT WOULD BE SEVERE WITH A LOUD "CLUNK" FROM THE DSG. WENT TO DEALER AND VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY TCU(MECHATRONICS MODULE).

NHTSA ODI report, 20090703

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL LOOSING THE ABILITY TO POWER THE VEHICLE ALMOST CAUSING A MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT IT IS THE S-TRONIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL BOX CAUSING THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140226

I HAVE AN AUDI A3 2008 WITH DSG TRANSMISSION. I DROVE IT ON VACATION FROM COLUMBUS OHIO TO NH ABOUT A 15 HR DRIVE. WHEN I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE RPM'S WOULD DIP AS I WOULD APPLY THE BREAK CAUSING THE CAR TO NEARLY STALL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20090726

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2%

2% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 1 distinct report on file.

TIRES 2%

2% of complaints: tires — 1 distinct report on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20091116 — fuel system, gasoline

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 INTER

Remedy: 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 AU

Campaign 09V377000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170310 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 16V079000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180223 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 18V082000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Audi A3 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 09V377000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V079000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V082000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ● 2011 ● 2012

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ◆ 2015 ◆ 2016

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Audi A3 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Audi A3 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Audi A3?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 56% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Audi A3 have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.