2009 Audi A3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
72,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 47 complaints (46.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 36.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 23.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 6.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 22 |
| Power Train | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
Air Bags: 22; Power Train: 13; Service Brakes: 8; Engine: 5; Electrical System: 4; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
2009: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 13; 2017: 8; 2018: 6; 2019: 5; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10268277 · 2009-05-09 (May 9, 2009)
PROBLEM IS BLINKING HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. AT NIGHT IT IS MORE PRONOUNCED AND RESULTS IN A FLASHING EFFECT AS BRAKES ARE USED. CONSIDERED UNSAFE TO BE FLASHING LIGHTS AT NIGHT. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THEY SAY IT IS WITHIN SPEC AND ALL 2009 AUDI A3 CARS WITH HALOGEN LAMPS EXHIBIT THIS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10268277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10293287 · 2009-11-23 (November 23, 2009)
I HAVE AN 2009 AUDI A3 2.0T WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER ABOUT 20-30 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CARE THE TRANSMISSION STARTS EXHIBITING STRANGE BEHAVIOR. AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AFTER LETTING THE FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. IT MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND AND THE GEAR INDICATOR GOES FROM THE GEAR NUMBER DISPLAN TO P-R-N-D INDICATOR AND THEN BACK TO THE GEAR NUMBER DISPLAY. IF YOU LEAVE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR WILL REPEATEDLY JERK FORWARD. IF YOU SLOWLY ACCELERATE THE CAR IS EXTREMELY JERKY AND NOT SMOOTH LIKE IT…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293287 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10281829 · 2009-08-26 (August 26, 2009)
BRAND NEW 2009 AUDI A3 WITH 200 MILES COMPLETELY FAILED IN THE HIGHWAY IN LAS VEGAS, NV. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I AM TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT AROUND 60/65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION (DSG) STARTED MAKING CHUNK NOISES AND THE CAR STARTED TO JERK, THEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY!! NOT TO MENTION MY YOUNGEST SISTER (10 YEARS OLD) WAS WITH ME. I COULDN'T RESTART THE ENGINE AND I COULDN'T STEER AND/OR SHIFT WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE BREAK. I END…
Owner-reported narrative. 295 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11322035 · 2020-04-23 (April 23, 2020)
PURCHASED CAR IN 2010 WITH AROUND 10,000 MILES ON IT. A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, VEHICLE WOULD HAVE A NOTICEABLE DECREASE IN POWER AND NOT ACCELERATE OVER ABOUT 40MPH. SOMETIMES AFTER SHUTTING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY, OTHER TIMES IT WOULD NOT. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AUDI DEALERSHIP CAR PURCHASED FROM FOR REPAIR AND INITIALLY REPORTED AS SENSOR PROBLEM AND REPAIRED. COUPLE WEEKS AFTER REPAIR CAR WOULD HAVE SAME PROBLEM, SO TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND AGAIN REPAIRED SENSOR(S). WITHIN ABOUT …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11322035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11389974 · 2021-01-26 (January 26, 2021)
THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DSG MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED BY THE CONNECTOR SUPPLIER DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO OPEN AND CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO PERCEIVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE DEPRESS BRAKE PEDA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11389974 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10897786 · 2016-08-22 (August 22, 2016)
THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED AND I'VE READ THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH ALL 2009 MODELS FROM AUDI TO VOLKSWAGEN TSI ENGINE MODELS. THE VEHICLE HAD ABS STEERING AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHIN THE CLUSTER. WHEN BRAKING THE BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT GOING FAST IT DIDN'T CRASH INTO ANYTHING.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10897786 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11080419 · 2018-03-21 (March 21, 2018)
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 P…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11080419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11456529 · 2022-03-13 (March 13, 2022)
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 sta…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11456529 at NHTSA ↗