Most common 2010 Audi A3 problems
Share of the 50 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 →
2010 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.
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, diesel
Volkswagen is recalling certain model 2009-2012 jetta and jetta sportwagen vehicles, manufactured from May 2008 through September 2011, model year 2010-2012 Volkswagen golf vehicles, manufactured from May 2009 through September 2011, and model year 2010-2012 Audi a3 vehicles, manufactured from September 2009 through September…
Remedy: Volkswagen will install an improved fuel injector line for the number 2 cylinder on certain vehicles and will install vibration dampers on all of the injector lines.
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 4 possible defects involving the 2010 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.
High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and Volkswagen (VW) have received a total of 160 complaints and field reports alleging incidents of engine stall and/or loss of power that appear to be related to high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and MY 2010 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with TDI clean diesel engines.Approximately half of…
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…
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information,…
What 2010 Audi A3 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
During the morning rush hour commute, while traveling at 60mph on east bound highway 70 (at the 70/270 interchange) in st. Louis, mo the glow plug light started flashing and all engine power was lost. I was lucky to have been able to safely maneuver the car 4 lanes to the far right shoulder and turn on the hazard lights. Any attempt to restart the car was not successful. As the outside temperature was 3 degrees (-9 with windchill) I immediately contacted a towing service. The vehicle was towed to an independent vw/Audi shop, where they informed me that the hpfp (high pressure fuel pump) had failed and will require its replacement as well as the rest of the fuel system ($6,000-$8,000 repair estimate).
In 30-35 MPH traffic, glow-plug light began flashing. I pulled over, checked the manual, and called the dealership. I was told the car was safe to drive, and was given a service appointment for the following morning. Upon restarting the car, I noticed not only the flashing glow-plug light, but the check-engine light, which had come on as well. Also, when I pulled out, power seemed limited and acceleration difficult. Now on a two lane country road with no shoulder, I called the dealership again, and was told to stop the car immediately and have it towed in. Since I was close to home, and unable to find a good place to stop, I drove home. The following morning, the car would not start, and Audi sent a tow truck. The car was not looked at for 24 hours (tdi-trained mechanics in a meeting or some such), but on Thursday I got a report. …
Air bags
On June 8 2018 the car was in motion in the city of atlanta driving straight when another car turn improperly causing accident. This cause the car to get involved in a car accident front end. The driver chest hit the steering. Which from the that cause the impact of the air bag to improperly inflate but deflated cause burns to right arm. The impact also cause driver and passenger seat to open. Front and side damage to body of car
I've been calling for months & months to have this recall fixed. I'm always told that parts are not available. I need to have this fixed!! It's a safety issue. Ford should find a solution for this problem or offer to replace the car at no cost to me. I fear that if this part is not replaced, that my family May be harmed by the ruptured inflator. See the recall notice below: NHTSA recall number: opens new window takes away from VIN lookup section> 16V079 recall date: February 9, 2016 manufacturer recall number: 69n2 summary: Takata has reported that the driver frontal airbag inflator 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. …
Transmission & drivetrain
I have an Audi A3 manufactured in 2009 presenting severe issues with the ABS control module. Audi has a recall for several Audi and vw models manufactured the same year, recall number 16V913000. Audi of America was notified however declined responsibility allegedly because my vehicle was not in the specified VIN range. Although my vehicle is presenting the same symptoms as those on the recall Audi is unwilling to accept responsibility. The experience was very unnerving as the car suddenly stopped while driving and suddenly accelerated. Fortunately the cars following behind were able to stop on time avoiding a serious accident. Aside from losing control of the vehicle, the steering loses position and the speedometer stops working. …
At slow speeds & when stopped with vehicle in gear (drive or revers) the transmission jerks, clunks, feels like it's engaging and disengaging. It is dangerous - especially when stopped or parking as the vehicle will suddenly lunge forward or backward depending on the gear you are in. Unfortunately it has only resulted in damage to my own vehicle - not to another vehicle or person.
2010 Audi A3 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 29 / 37 / 32 |
| 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 | AWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Audi A3 a good car?
Based on 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 A3 rates average: about as many complaints as 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 2010 Audi A3?
The fuel & propulsion system — 19 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the air bags (13) and transmission & drivetrain (11).
How many recalls does the 2010 Audi A3 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2010 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 2010 Audi A3 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 51% 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.