2009 Audi A3
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 123 |
| 2007 | 52 |
| 2008 | 43 |
| 2009 | 47 |
| 2010 | 50 |
| 2011 | 43 |
| 2012 | 43 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2015 | 89 |
| 2016 | 80 |
| 2017 | 44 |
| 2018 | 33 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
47% of complaints: air bags — 22 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING ON A HILL, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STOPPED DUE TO BLACK ICE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180321
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE ABS AND THE ESC WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170201
28% of complaints: power train — 13 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
vehicle switched into neutral and accelerated Unable to control or stop Crashed into bush 2014 AUDI checked said no issuue Vehicle switches gear unexpectedly on highway and slows and drags Audi checked Said normal 9/3 2022 foot on break to a...
NHTSA ODI report, 20220906
DRIVING INTO A SMALL LOT TO PARK. FOOT ON BRAKE AND MOVING AT AT LOW SPEED CAME TO STOP AND AUTO SUDDENLY STARTED TO SPEED AND SOUNDED LIKE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. AUTO JUMPED A SMALL CURB AND WENT INTO SOME BUSHES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140807
17% of complaints: service brakes — 8 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY11% of complaints: engine — 5 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
vehicle switched into neutral and accelerated Unable to control or stop Crashed into bush 2014 AUDI checked said no issuue Vehicle switches gear unexpectedly on highway and slows and drags Audi checked Said normal 9/3 2022 foot on break to a...
NHTSA ODI report, 20220906
9% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
VEHICLE STALL/LOSS MOTIVE POWER
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 (DS
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 09V333000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 16V913000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
2009 Audi A3 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (22 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 09V333000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V377000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V913000 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V079000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V082000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2009 Audi A3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Audi A3 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Audi A3?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Audi A3 have?
5 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.