Model year
2009 Audi A3
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 47 complaints for the 2009 Audi A3 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 1 complaint under A3 ETRON. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (22), POWER TRAIN (13), SERVICE BRAKES (8). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,400–$3,900, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2006 123 complaints
- 2007 52 complaints
- 2008 43 complaints
- 2009 47 complaints
- 2010 50 complaints
- 2011 43 complaints
- 2012 43 complaints
- 2013 20 complaints
- 2015 93 complaints
- 2016 83 complaints
- 2017 44 complaints
- 2018 33 complaints
- 2019 10 complaints
- 2020 16 complaints
- 2022 9 complaints
- 2023 7 complaints
- 2024 2 complaints
- 2025 5 complaints
- 2026 2 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
18V082000 · Jan 30, 2018
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. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag,…
16V913000 · Dec 20, 2016
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may…
16V079000 · Feb 10, 2016
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…
09V377000 · Sep 30, 2009
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…
09V333000 · Aug 20, 2009
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. WITH…
Complaints
47 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 5, fire flag on 0, injury field 3, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| A3 ETRON | 0 | 1 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE09035 | VEHICLE STALL/LOSS MOTIVE POWER · POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | Jul 17, 2009 | Nov 19, 2009 |
| PE11023 | Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage · FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | Aug 2, 2011 | Dec 2, 2011 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 21 | 30 | 24 | — | — | $3,400 |
| A3 · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 22 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $3,400 |
| A3 quattro · 2L · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $3,400 |
| A3 quattro · 3.2L · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2009 Audi A3 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.