Most common 2011 Audi A3 problems
Share of the 43 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 →
2011 Audi A3 recalls (4)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2011 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
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 2011 Audi A3 owners say
Air bags all 20 →
Airbag warning light came on. Dealer said passenger seat occupancy sensor must be replaced, at cost of $1500-3000 since it's 5 months past my warranty. Numerous Audi models from 2012 onward have a recall for this sensor, but not my 2011 model (yet). Other automakers have extended their warranty for this safety-critical part -- BMW to 15 years, for example. Technicians could not tell me if the sensor error means all airbags are disabled, passenger airbag only is disabled, or passenger airbag is always-on (dangerous for children).
Takata recall. A recall was issued in February 2016 for my vehicle. I was notified by Audi of the recall in April. I contacted the dealer then and was told there were no parts available. I contacted Audi west houston again on June 27, 2016 and was told the only remedy to me was a discount on a new car. I was told this by a salesman and by the general sales manager. I contacted Audi customer service on June 29, 2016, and they said there were no parts available and they did not have any idea when they would be available. They said I could continue to drive the car since no Audi or vw had experienced an air-bag failure. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle and would like it repaired. I don't think it's right that Audi has not repaired a single vehicle under this recall nor can they estimate when they will begin repairing these vehicles. …
Fuel & propulsion system
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Audi A3. While driving at various speeds, the headlights suddenly shut off and the service vehicle sensor light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered that a fuse panel had overheated and melted. The contact also indicated that the vehicle experienced fuel leaking within the engine compartment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 75,000.
My son was driving my 2011 Audi A3 tdi to the gym at night when he called me the car would not accelerate and had a warning light come on. I told him to google it and he found out it was a glow plug indicator. I told him to continue driving it in the limp mode. The car died while moving and my son was able to coast into a parking lot. This could of been a different story on a busy interstate. I had to pick him up and had the car towed in the morning. To find out this car is notorious for catastrophic high pressure fuel pump failure and that is exactly what happened. When I say catastrophic, metal is shredded and goes into the injectors and contaminates everything that carries fuel. It is about a 7K to 8K repair. I have used nothing but low sulfur diesel. It's ridiculous a recall hasn't been issued to prevent this issue. …
Engine & cooling
I was at the tail end of a 400 mile trip-all freeway driving. After exiting the freeway, the car was slowly losing power. The glow plug light came on. Car stalled after 1/2 mile. I tried to restart it. It would not start. The glow plug and check engine light were on. Towed to dealership to find the high pressure fuel pump send metal into my fuel system and engine. I have just over 50,000 miles on the car. The repair is covered due to the faulty part. Audi should have to take the car back because they knew about this problem. Instead of doing a recall, they allowed the car to be driven and now my engine is affected. I tried to arrange a trade-in at a local Subaru dealership and they offered me low blue book minus $10,000. My car is not only undesirable, but worthless.
Coolant pump- Audi action code-19l2-"the coolant pump May develop a small leak over time." my Audi suffered a coolant leak and had to fix for $1100 in diagnosis/repairs. I repaired it on my own and later I learned that there was a recall from Audi. I need to get my reimbursement for the money I put up to fix coolant leak.
2011 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 2011 Audi A3 a good car?
Based on 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 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 2011 Audi A3?
The air bags — 20 complaints, 47% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (10) and engine & cooling (6).
How many recalls does the 2011 Audi A3 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2011 Audi A3, the most recent from December 4, 2019 (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 2011 Audi A3 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 48% 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.