Most common 2009 Audi A3 problems
Share of the 47 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi A3 complaints by model year
Best A3 years: 2019, 2013, 2020. Years to avoid: 2016, 2015, 2006. Compare all years →
2009 Audi A3 recalls (5)
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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 internal spring of the fuel tank ventilation valve is not adequate enough to hold the valve closed under extreme driving conditions…
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 Audi at 1-800-253-2834.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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 (dsg) May have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2009 Audi A3:
Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
By letter dated October 3, 2011, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address a defect in approximately 168,275 model year (MY) 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Golf, and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with the 2.0L TDI Common Rail Clean Diesel engine (NHTSA Recall No.
Vehicle stall/loss motive power
The subject vehicles are equipped with direct shift gearbox (dsg) transmissions, which feature a 6-speed automatic gearbox with two wet running clutches (dual clutch) in which the clutch mechanism and gear changes are electrohydraulically operated by a mechatronic control unit.the dsg mechatronic controller includes extensive self diagnostic functions and strategies to ensure safe operation and prevent…
What 2009 Audi A3 owners say
Air bags all 22 →
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 turned it off and towed it home 2 days after I bought it. these are also recalls my Audi 2009-a3 2.0 tfsi s tronic has been sitting in my friends driveway for 7 months now because I cannot take the car anywhere I cannot move the car anywhere I cannot start the car and I don't know what else to do so I do need your help I should be eligible it says my VIN number matches the eligible subject vehicle my VIN number is in your system but my car is not showing up it shows up but it's not showing up as a recall or included in the class action settlement if you have any questions please call me …
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. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. Audi fairfield (435 commerce dr, fairfield, ct) was contacted, but did not communicate with the contact in regards to the failure. The contact also stated that there was an interim repair for the Takata recall four months prior to the crash. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. There was one injury that required medical attention. The contact suffered mild bruising from contacting the steering column. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. Neither Audi or Takata acknowledges the airbag recall fix as being inadequate.
Transmission & drivetrain
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 full stop at a light Anothet auto in front Audi suddenly switched gear and started to accelerate Would not stop Crashed into car in front Gear stayed frrozen in neutral for a few mimutes.
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 turned it off and towed it home 2 days after I bought it. these are also recalls my Audi 2009-a3 2.0 tfsi s tronic has been sitting in my friends driveway for 7 months now because I cannot take the car anywhere I cannot move the car anywhere I cannot start the car and I don't know what else to do so I do need your help I should be eligible it says my VIN number matches the eligible subject vehicle my VIN number is in your system but my car is not showing up it shows up but it's not showing up as a recall or included in the class action settlement if you have any questions please call me …
Brakes
The contact owns a 2009 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the traction control and ABS control module warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control). The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
According to the publication I found https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/rcl/2016/rclrpt-16V913-3524.pdf my car VIN is listed as part of a recall for the ABS control module. I was involved in an accident 18 months ago where this exact problem occurred. The car in front of me was cut off and slammed on his brakes. I had to brake quickly and was not able to control the car. Both my ABS and ESC warning lights came on. I did not think about any mechanical problem until I read about the recall. Now Audi has informed me that my car is not part of the recall. I have not been able to get any information how this was determined. As this is a safety concern I need to know why my car is not part of the recall.
2009 Audi A3 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 30 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Audi A3 a good car?
Based on 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 A3 rates average: 21% fewer complaints than a typical year of the A3 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Audi A3?
The air bags — 22 complaints, 47% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (15) and brakes (9).
How many recalls does the 2009 Audi A3 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2009 Audi A3, the most recent from January 30, 2018 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi A3?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2013 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016, 2015 and 2006. See the full Audi A3 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Audi A3 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 21% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.