Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Audi A3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall: I received the attached notice from Audi of America, inc., dated April 2016, and stating that my vehicle contains a Takata frontal airbag inflator that "could potentially rupture if the vehicle is involved in a crash where the frontal airbags are designed to deploy. In the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material, which May result in serious injury or death to vehicle occupants." the notice states that replacement parts are not available. I recently serviced my car, and again the dealer informed me that replacement parts are not available. I called Audi USA today and they said that Takata has not made replacement parts available at this time and they have no timeline for supplying the parts. …
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 my behalf; again no response. After calling multiple other dealerships in my state, one a little over an hour from me actually replied to my messages. It took until June to get this recall completed. Neither Audi USA nor it's local dealers seem to care about performing a safety recall in a timely manner.
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. Tore the mirror from the drivers door damage all down the drivers side . No more headlights on the driver side all was gone . Now the question is why didn't the airbag work ? It didn't deploy with this impact so what has to happened for the airbags to work ? ...updated 12/11/14
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 do I get this done? I keep calling and they keep telling me there is no parts available yet. My son is driving this car now in springfield, il and I am worried about his safety.
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 it. I bought my car there and I guess their costumer safety is not important when they have to do it for free. Please help.
Takata air bag communication from Audi indicates a recall is in progress but according to their website there are no replacement parts, or schedule date to make repairs to the car. They should make an arrangement for alternative transportation while sorting out the issue. This is ridiculous, and dangerous. Who wants to use a dangerous car?
Takata recall. Safety recall 69n2 - Takata psdi-5 driver frontal airbag. I received notice of this recall in April, 2016. Nearly 11 months later and Audi's position is still that "replacement parts are not yet available" for my vehicle. The inaction by Audi and the lack of enforcement by NHTSA is unacceptable, and places myself and my family in continuing danger. Please work with attorney general jeff sessions to bring a civil action against Audi to force compliance with the recall. Audi's position, that there are no replacement airbag inflators, is clearly false, as Audi continues to sell new vehicles in the us equipped with inflators. …
"Takata recall" on March 18, 2017, I went in to Audi calabasas and spoke with scott gomez, service advisor, and the manager on duty that day, to inquire on having my driver side airbag replace in response to the manufacturer safety recall issued. His response was to try back later. He said he did not expect for any bags to be available for months. He did not seem concerned. I said I was afraid of the danger of it going off in a minor fender bender and he said there were no reports of Audi vehicles experiencing such mal-functions. I asked if he was not concerned about the liability should one such accident occur involving the recalled airbag. His response was chilling. He said it would not be Audi's fault. It would be the manufacturer of the airbag's liability.
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. The vehicle was taken to Audi roanoke (located at 2006 peters creek rd, roanoke, va 24017, [phone]), but the part was not available for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
When asking for a recall repair to the dealership, this is the message I received: good afternoon, "we received your inquiry to setup an appointment for your Audi A3 for the airbag campaign. Unfortunately, parts are not yet available for us to do the repair. You will be receiving a second letter from Audi sometime first quarter of next year on when the repairs can be done. If you have any other questions, please let us know. Thanks," is this an acceptable answer? I don't think so.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Airbag complaints in other A3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Audi A3?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Audi A3, 56% of the model year's 43 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Audi A3 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-082 (inflator module, Jan 30, 2018); NHTSA recall 16V-079 (inflator module, Feb 10, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Audi A3 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.