AUDI A3 · model year

2008 AUDI A3

46 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008AUDIA3 carries 46 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 A3 is air bags with 24 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (10) and power train (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2008 A3. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

46
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

46 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS24
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION10
POWER TRAIN3
TIRES1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SUSPENSION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recalls (3)

09V37700030/09/2009

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 THE VALVE CLOSED UNDER

18V08200030/01/2018

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, excessive internal pressure m

16V07900010/02/2016

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 inflator to rupture.

Recent Complaints

20191202ELECTRICAL 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.

Mileage: 154,000

20191202FUEL/PROPULSION 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.

Mileage: 154,000

20190628STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 110,000

20190628AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20190628UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20181115AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 89,000

20181012AIR BAGS

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.

20181012AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 175,000

20180715AIR BAGS

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

20171108AIR BAGS

"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 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.

20170824AIR BAGS

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!

20170320AIR BAGS

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.

20170317AIR BAGS

"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.

20170227AIR BAGS

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 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.

20170123AIR BAGS

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.

20170123AIR BAGS

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.

20170113AIR BAGS

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.

20161219AIR BAGS

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.

20161130AIR BAGS

"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.

20161024AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. BEEN WAITING 8 MONTHS FOR THIS PART TO BE REPLACED AND I WANT TO KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE?

Compare 2008AUDIA3 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 AUDI A3 have?
The 2008 AUDI A3 has 46 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 AUDI A3?
Yes, the 2008 AUDI A3 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 AUDI A3?
The most-complained component for the 2008 AUDI A3 is AIR BAGS with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2008 AUDI A3 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.