2009 Audi A3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 66 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median A3 year — the 2009 model ranks #5 of 22 A3 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 22 reports (33% of the total).

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other A3 years?

A3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Audi A3 problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Airbags	22	33%	— flat
Transmission	15	23%	— flat
Brakes	9	14%	new
Electrical System	9	14%	▲ up
Engine	6	9%	▲ up
Lighting	2	3%	▼ down
Other	1	2%	— flat
Speed Control	1	2%	— flat
Body & Structure	1	2%	— flat

Does the 2009 Audi A3 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V082000AirbagsJanuary 30, 2018 · 162,782 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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. 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.

16V913000Electrical SystemDecember 20, 2016 · 135,683 units

Defect

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 fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.

Consequence

A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

16V079000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2016 · 151,767 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

09V377000Fuel SystemSeptember 30, 2009 · 10,200 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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.

09V333000TransmissionAugust 20, 2009 · 16,000 units

Defect

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 INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.

Consequence

THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE ABS AND THE ESC WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 18, 2017 · crash

“DRIVING INTO A SMALL LOT TO PARK. FOOT ON BRAKE AND MOVING AT AT LOW SPEED CAME TO STOP AND AUTO SUDDENLY STARTED TO SPEED AND SOUNDED LIKE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. AUTO JUMPED A SMALL CURB AND WENT INTO SOME BUSHES. IN PAST WHEN DRIVING AUTO SHIFTED TO SPORT GEAR WITHOUT WARNING AND SLOWED DOWN.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 21, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE ABS AND THE ESC WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 18, 2017 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ABS AND ESC INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 1, 2016

“vehicle switched into neutral and accelerated Unable to control or stop Crashed into bush 2014 AUDI checked said no issuue Vehicle switches gear unexpectedly on highway and slows and drags Audi checked Said normal 9/3 2022 foot on break to a full stop at a light Anothet auto in front Audi suddenly…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 3, 2022 · crash

2009 Audi A3 — common questions

Is the 2009 Audi A3 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 66 complaints put the 2009 model at #5 of 22 A3 years. It is one of the A3 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 A3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (22 complaints), transmission (15 complaints), electrical system (9 complaints).

Does the 2009 Audi A3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Audi A3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Audi A3 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Audi A3 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A3 years to avoid are 2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2009, 2007, 2010. The cleanest record among A3 years belongs to 2005.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2009 compare to other A3 years?

What are the most common 2009 Audi A3 problems?

Does the 2009 Audi A3 have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2009 Audi A3 — common questions

Is the 2009 Audi A3 reliable?

What are the most common 2009 A3 problems?

Does the 2009 Audi A3 have recalls?

Is the 2009 Audi A3 under NHTSA investigation?

Which Audi A3 years should you avoid?

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