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Vehicle safety record

2008 Audi A3 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 43 complaints about the 2008 Audi A3 with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (24) and the transmission & drivetrain (13). Those complaints describe 2 crashes. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in January 2018 for the inflator module. For comparison, the 2007 has 52 and the 2009 has 47.

NHTSA data checked

DMore problems than a typical A3 year, for its age

#181 most complained-about 2008 vehicle

Complaints
43
Recalls
3
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2008 Audi A3 problems

Share of all 43 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2008 Audi A3 recalls 3

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Air bags: inflator module

18V082000162,782 vehicles affected

The problem
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, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

Air bags: inflator module

16V079000151,767 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Fuel system: tank assembly

09V37700010,200 vehicles affected

The problem
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 possibly allowing fuel to leak.
The risk
In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire could occur.
The fix
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.

What owners say

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43 complaints about the 2008 Audi A3

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Electrical systemFuel system

The check engine light illuminated and has not been able to properly diagnose. More than one mechanic has told me the code p0171 that reads as the diagnostic does not correlate with my car as my car does not have a pcv valve. They have inspected the car to look for similar issues and have found none. Yet the check engine light remains illuminated. There was a recall reported 09/30/2009 on my type of car under campaign 09v377000 but my vin is not showing as affected by that campaign even though the code that is coming up is a similar issue. I am extremely concerned about the safety of driving my car now. I can't not repair what I can not diagnose. I believe that I am affected by the recall.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11286439
Airbags

Takata recall I received notice in january of 2019 that my vehicle was having a second recall on the takata airbags. I immediately attempted to have the repair done at my local dealership; I could not get through. I then contacted audi corporate, who said they left the local dealershiop messages on my behalf; again no response. After calling multiple other dealerships in my state, one a little over an hour from me actually replied to my messages. It took until june to get this recall completed. Neither audi usa nor it's local dealers seem to care about performing a safety recall in a timely manner.

Filed Incident Air bags · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11223096
Body, doors & structure

Excessive rear subframe corrosion that isn't being covered by a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. The safety issue stems from; a, a proper alignment isn't possible, b the rear subframe is responsible for maintaining the rear geometry of the vehicle, wheels, brakes and suspension.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11223094
Airbags

Hi, I have been getting emails from audi usa about n airbag recall for my audi a3 but everytime I call my audi dealership in santa monica, ca they say they don't have at the store to try another dealership, I told them to call when they have it and it has been three months and they still don't have it. I bought my car there and I guess their costumer safety is not important when they have to do it for free. Please help.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11151819
Airbags

I keep getting recall notices, month after month, for about 6 months. I had the interim repair done, and have called now at least three times and they keep telling me the part is not available yet. Now I get a notice that says to repair immediately even if an interim repair was recently done. How do I get this done? I keep calling and they keep telling me there is no parts available yet. My son is driving this car now in springfield, il and I am worried about his safety.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11140073
Airbags

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 audi a3. The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags) and stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to audi roanoke (located at 2006 peters creek rd, roanoke, va 24017, (540) 562-0099), but the part was not available for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11139984
Airbags

Takata recall I am still receiving notices by mail but nothing has happened yet. I contacted my local audi dealer and they still don't have the parts to replace my airbag. How much longer can wait without putting my family's life in danger. Thank you

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11111481
Airbags

"Takata recall" on march 18, 2017, I went in to audi calabasas and spoke with scott gomez, service advisor, and the manager on duty that day, to inquire on having my driver side airbag replace in response to the manufacturer safety recall issued. His response was to try back later. He said he did not expect for any bags to be available for months. He did not seem concerned. I said I was afraid of the danger of it going off in a minor fender bender and he said there were no reports of audi vehicles...

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experiencing such mal-functions. I asked if he was not concerned about the liability should one such accident occur involving the recalled airbag. His response was chilling. He said it would not be audi's fault. It would be the manufacturer of the airbag's liability.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11044485
Airbags

Takata airbag- I have been given a replacement airbag that is exactly the airbag that has problems. My first letter was feb. 2016 And the problem is still not fully resolved at this time aug.24, 2017. I want a new airbag that will save my life, not take it asap!

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11019453
Airbags

Takata recall dear sir / madam, I would like to inquire about why it is taking over 4 months to have the new parts delivered to my local audi dealer in san francisco ca. The recall 16v079 seems pretty serious as people have been killed by this defect. I have called audi customer service multiple times and they are unable to provide any updates or date. This is simply unacceptable. Please let me know if you can assist or what I can do to accelerate this process. Thank you.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10967390
Airbags

"Takata recall" recall I received if from february 2016 (over 1 year!!!) And I still do not even have an information when it is planned to be fixed.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10966593
Airbags

Takata recall. Safety recall 69n2 - takata psdi-5 driver frontal airbag. I received notice of this recall in april, 2016. Nearly 11 months later and audi's position is still that "replacement parts are not yet available" for my vehicle. The inaction by audi and the lack of enforcement by nhtsa is unacceptable, and places myself and my family in continuing danger. Please work with attorney general jeff sessions to bring a civil action against audi to force compliance with the recall. Audi's position, that...

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there are no replacement airbag inflators, is clearly false, as audi continues to sell new vehicles in the us equipped with inflators. I suggest that nhtsa and the justice department seek an injunction barring audi from selling any new vehicles in the us until such time as they have fully complied with the recall, and replaced all the defective airbag inflators with replacement inflators that do not utilize ammonium nitrate propellants.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10957428
Airbags

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 audi a3. The contact received a notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v079000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10947039
Airbags

Takata recall - audi and takata has not provided me with an option to either repair my car or buy back my car. My wife is pregnant and this is our only vehicle and to have audi say "drive carefully and wait" is unacceptable.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10947035
Airbags

I was first notified of the air bag recall in february 2016. After waiting almost a year, audi has no idea when my air bag will be replaced. My car is unsafe to drive and unsafe to sell to another party. I need waiting one year is plenty of time.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10945181
Airbags

Takata recall: my audi is on the recall list but audi has no fix available and can't tell me when they will. They offer to give me a break on a new car. I don't want another audi. I am meanwhile trying to sell the audi that I do have and this unremedied recall issue is making that impossible. Also, I never received a recall notice. I saw the recall information on a carfax report.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10936356
Airbags

"Takata recall" recall is out since beginning of february 2016; I received recall info in april 2016; until today (9 months) there is still not even a date for remedy available. This is totally unacceptable and audi is not taking any actions to reduce/avoid the risk of serious injury. South carolina is climatewise high-risk area, but nothing happens.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10928848
Airbags

Takata recall. Been waiting 8 months for this part to be replaced and I want to know when it will be available?

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10918619
Airbags

Takata recall: I received the attached notice from audi of america, inc., Dated april 2016, and stating that my vehicle contains a takata frontal airbag inflator that "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." The notice states that replacement parts are not available. I...

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recently serviced my car, and again the dealer informed me that replacement parts are not available. I called audi usa today and they said that takata has not made replacement parts available at this time and they have no timeline for supplying the parts. I am deeply concerned that a critical piece of safety equipment in my vehicle could itself cause me or my passengers "serious injury or death." I would appreciate it if someone would please advise when these replacement parts will be made available for this critical repair. Thank you. *Tr

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10914294
Airbags

When asking for a recall repair to the dealership, this is the message I received: good afternoon, "we received your inquiry to setup an appointment for your audi a3 for the airbag campaign. Unfortunately, parts are not yet available for us to do the repair. You will be receiving a second letter from audi sometime first quarter of next year on when the repairs can be done. If you have any other questions, please let us know. Thanks," is this an acceptable answer? I don't think so.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10914122
Airbags

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 audi a3. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 13v079000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10910783
Airbags

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 audi a3. The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 16v079000 (air bags). The contact stated that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10908674
Airbags

Takata recall. When will this be addressed for my vehicle?

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10895735
Airbags

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 audi a3. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 16v079000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. ...Updated 10/11/16 *bf updated 10/13/16.*Jb

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10893268
Airbags

Takata air bag communication from audi indicates a recall is in progress but according to their website there are no replacement parts, or schedule date to make repairs to the car. They should make an arrangement for alternative transportation while sorting out the issue. This is ridiculous, and dangerous. Who wants to use a dangerous car?

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10862786

Audi A3: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
201243412AirbagsD
201142401AirbagsD
201050510Fuel systemD
200947550AirbagsD
200843320AirbagsD
200752300AirbagsD
2006123430AirbagsF
20050100-A
20046000Acceleration & cruise controlA
All A3 years

2008 Audi A3 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2008 Audi A3

Does the 2008 Audi A3 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Audi A3: inflator module (January 2018); inflator module (February 2016); tank assembly (September 2009). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Audi A3?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (24), transmission & drivetrain (13), engine & cooling (2).

How many complaints has the 2008 Audi A3 had?

43 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on July 3, 2009 and the latest on December 2, 2019. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2008 Audi A3 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 39 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Audi A3 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Audi A3 years have the most complaints?

2015 (180), 2006 (123), 2016 (115). See every Audi A3 year compared.

What should I do if my 2008 Audi A3 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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