AUDI A3 · model year

2011 AUDI A3

51 NHTSA complaints, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011AUDIA3 carries 51 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 A3 is air bags with 20 filings, followed by engine (6) and fuel/propulsion system (6). 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 4 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 2011 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.

51
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

51 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS20
ENGINE6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
POWER TRAIN2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
STRUCTURE1
STEERING1

Recalls (4)

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.

19V86200004/12/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradat

11V49000003/10/2011

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTE

Recent Complaints

20230329ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

answering questions above: -body control module fuse, possibly engine comopartment fuse box itself -intermittent exterior lighting outages -no dealer / independent service center has inspected -not been inspected by anyone -no warnings, just bulb-out warnings once the issue started longform description: Last week, I was experiencing intermittent light outages on the right side of my car (2011 audi a3 TDI) . It started wednesday 3/22, during my morning commute to work, when I was exiting highway and turned on my right turn signal all the exterior lights on the right side of my car started flickering, and stopped. Same thing happened the next morning, except worse, applying my brakes would disable my right headlight. I stopped driving until the weekend when I drove over to get my car scanned for errors by a buddy of mine who has a diagnostic tool. It pointed to the body control module. With the car on, he gave the body control module fuse a light wiggle, and smoke started pouring

20210721STEERING

ESP malfunctioned while driving on highway: tires braked several times rapidly on one side without warning, making car difficult to control. Immediately took foot off gas and had to steer out of a small fishtail. At the time I was driving at normal speed, not cornering aggressively or anything, on a smooth dry road. In heavy traffic or on a wet road this could have resulted in a crash. On just a couple occasions shortly before this occurred, while going around corners at highway or near-highway speeds there was a sensation that the steering direction suddenly "slipped" a notch, with a sort of thunk from the tires. At the time I attributed it to unseen road bumps, but after experiencing the more serious failure I realized it was the same asymmetrical braking just on a smaller scale. No warning lights gave any indicator of this dangerous sensor fault. During the most serious incident, the ESP light flickered briefly but that is the only time any lights appeared at all. I would expect t

20210720AIR BAGS

Airbag warning light came on. Dealer said passenger seat occupancy sensor must be replaced, at cost of $1500-3000 since it's 5 months past my warranty. Numerous Audi models from 2012 onward have a recall for this sensor, but not my 2011 model (yet). Other automakers have extended their warranty for this safety-critical part -- BMW to 15 years, for example. Technicians could not tell me if the sensor error means all airbags are disabled, passenger airbag only is disabled, or passenger airbag is always-on (dangerous for children).

20200105FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2011 AUDI A3 TDI TO THE GYM AT NIGHT WHEN HE CALLED ME THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND HAD A WARNING LIGHT COME ON. I TOLD HIM TO GOOGLE IT AND HE FOUND OUT IT WAS A GLOW PLUG INDICATOR. I TOLD HIM TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT IN THE LIMP MODE. THE CAR DIED WHILE MOVING AND MY SON WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS COULD OF BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. I HAD TO PICK HIM UP AND HAD THE CAR TOWED IN THE MORNING. TO FIND OUT THIS CAR IS NOTORIOUS FOR CATASTROPHIC HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. WHEN I SAY CATASTROPHIC, METAL IS SHREDDED AND GOES INTO THE INJECTORS AND CONTAMINATES EVERYTHING THAT CARRIES FUEL. IT IS ABOUT A 7K TO 8K REPAIR. I HAVE USED NOTHING BUT LOW SULFUR DIESEL. IT'S RIDICULOUS A RECALL HASN'T BEEN ISSUED TO PREVENT THIS ISSUE. SINCE THIS HAPPENED I HAVE FOUND COMPLAINTS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET.

Mileage: 70,000

20190531EXTERIOR LIGHTING

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF EXTERIOR LIGHTS TO INCLUDE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS DURING DRIVING. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS AT NIGHT. FAULT SEEMS TO BE (ENGINE) TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT (I.E. - DOES NOT SEEM TO OCCUR WHEN ENGINE BAY IS COLD). ISSUE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS (UNTIL THE PARTS IN THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION WERE REPLACED). THE PLASTIC HOUSING FOR A 30 AMPERE FUSE (POSITION F16) IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS PARTIALLY MELTING. THE MELTED FUSE RESIDUE WORKED ITSELF INTO THE FUSE BOX TERMINALS (CAUSING DAMAGE OF THE FUSE BOX) AND CAUSING A FAULTY CONNECTION WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE INTERMITTENT FAILURES OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE F16 (POSITION) 30 AMPERE FUSE SHOWING ITS PARTIALLY MELTED PLASTIC BODY AND THE FUSE HOLDER BLOCK (ALSO WITH PARTIALLY MELTED CONTACT POSITION / TERMINAL AREA). UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE FAULT IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS A CURRENT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 13V569000 FOR A VW (A

Mileage: 68,630

20190529ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AT NIGHT, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING POWERED OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. IN ADDITION, MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND BOTH TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI OF MISSION VIEJO (LOCATED AT 28451 MARGUERITE PKWY, MISSION VIEJO, CA 92692, (949) 359-4053), WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLASTIC BODY OF FUSE F16 MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

20190529EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AT NIGHT, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING POWERED OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. IN ADDITION, MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND BOTH TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI OF MISSION VIEJO (LOCATED AT 28451 MARGUERITE PKWY, MISSION VIEJO, CA 92692, (949) 359-4053), WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLASTIC BODY OF FUSE F16 MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

20190204AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUDI FLATIRONS (13321 W MIDWAY BLVD, BROOMFIELD, CO 80020, (866) 604-3244) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20181115AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS NOTICES FROM AUDI AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE THAT MY A3 IS RECALLED FOR THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SCHEDULE THIS SINCE JUNE WITH AUDI OF KALAMAZOO, MY LOCAL DEALER. THEY SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS FOR THIS 6 WEEKS OUT. THEY HAVE TWICE CANCELLED MY APPOINTMENT THE DAY BEFORE THE SERVICE SAYING THAT THEY CAN'T GET THE PARTS. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ANOTHER DEALER WHO REPORT THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD SUCH TROUBLE GETTING THE PARTS. AUDI OF KALAMAZOO'S DELAY TACTICS HAVE UNNECESSARILY PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK.

Mileage: 56,000

20181016AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED DCH AUDI OXNARD AT (805) 288-7728 (LOCATED AT 1600 VENTURA BLVD, OXNARD, CA 93036) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20181015AIR BAGS

AUDI REFUSES TO REPLACE CITING LACK OF PARTS YET KEEPS SENDING ME NOTICES TO REPLACE. THIS IS WASTING A LOT OF TIME FOR BOTH PARTIES.

20181015AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUDI STEVENS CREEK (3350 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95117, (408) 244-5400) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20180801AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED KEYES AUDI (5239 VAN NUYS BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA, (818) 528-5931) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JS

20171115POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE DOES NOT SWITCH GEARS PROPERLY. ONCE DRIVE GEAR IS SELECTED THEN THE GEAR INDICATOR FLASHES (EX. THE D FLASHES OR P FLASHES). VEHICLE DOES NOT SWITCH GEARS UNTIL 5500 RPM IS REACHED. AND VEHICLE DOES NOT ENGAGE R GEAR ONCE CAR HAS BEEN IN DRIVE. HAVE TO TURN VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON TO GET TO R. VEHICLE IS PRETTY MUCH NOT DRIVABLE IN CURRENT CONDITION AS IT NEEDS TO BE SHUT OFF AND TURNED ONE MULTIPLE TIMES JUST TO PARK THE CAR. SOMETIMES BEHAVES NORMALLY FOR SHORT BURSTS.

Mileage: 81,000

20170705AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. THE RECALL ON THIS AIRBAG ISSUED IN FEB 2016 AND I AM STILL BEING TOLD THAT THERE IS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET, BUT I AM APPARENTLY DRIVING AROUND WITH AN AIRBAG THAT IS KNOWN TO BE HAZARDOUS.

20170426AIR BAGS

UNABLE TO TRADE IN VEHICLE WITH DEALER. STATES ONLY VALUED AT $2500; $5000 LESS THAN ACTUAL TRADE IN VALUE. UNACCEPTABLE THAT AUDI DOES NOT STAND BY MISTAKE.

20170318AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL: AUDI HAS BEEN UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHEN THE TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATOR(S) WILL BE REPLACED. IT HAS BEEN APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR, AND WE HAVE KEPT THE CAR GARAGED FOR FEAR OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. AUDI HAS OFFERED NO INFORMATION THE STATUS OF THE RECALL, NO LOANER VEHICLE/RENTAL VEHICLE, AND APPEARS TO HAVE NO PLAN IN PLACE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE AFFECTED AIRBAG INFLATOR(S).

Mileage: 110,000

20170306AIR BAGS

I RECEIVED A LETTER AND EMAIL FROM MY DEALERSHIP AROUND THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY INFORMING ME THAT MY CAR HAD A DEFECTIVE TAKATA DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AND TO COME IN AND TALK TO SOMEONE REGARDING MY OPTIONS. I SCHEDULED AN APPT WITH MY DEALERSHIP FOR FEBRUARY 25, 2017 AND MET WITH SARSI KAZIMI, SALES MANAGER, AT KEYES AUDI AT 5239 VAN NUYS BLVD, VAN NUYS, CA 91401. SARSI CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS NOT A REMEDY AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME, AND TRIED TO OFFER ME A TRADE-IN DEAL FOR MY CAR AGAINST ANOTHER AUDI. I CURRENTLY HAVE 1 1/2 YEARS MORE UNTIL FULL PAYOFF OF MY VEHICLE (CAR LOAN THROUGH MY CREDIT UNION, NOT THE DEALERSHIP). I INFORMED SARSI THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO LOCK MYSELF INTO A NEW LOAN FOR ANOTHER 5-7 YRS WHEN MY MINE IS ALMOST PAID OFF. THE FOLLOWING WEEK HE OFFERED ME A NEW LEASE OPTION FOR THE A3 SPORTBACK ETRON, BUT THE PAYMENT WOULD BE HIGHER THAN MY CURRENT MONTHLY PAYMENT AT $399/MO, NOT TO MENTION, I WOULDN'T EVEN OWN THE CAR AT THE END OF THE LEASE. I TRIED TO MEET HIM WITH

Mileage: 39,000

20170301AIR BAGS

MFTR HAS NOT REPLACED AIRBAG UNDER THIS RECALL

20170215ENGINE

COOLANT PUMP- AUDI ACTION CODE-19L2-"THE COOLANT PUMP MAY DEVELOP A SMALL LEAK OVER TIME." MY AUDI SUFFERED A COOLANT LEAK AND HAD TO FIX FOR $1100 IN DIAGNOSIS/REPAIRS. I REPAIRED IT ON MY OWN AND LATER I LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FROM AUDI. I NEED TO GET MY REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE MONEY I PUT UP TO FIX COOLANT LEAK.

Mileage: 75,000

Compare 2011AUDIA3 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 AUDI A3 have?
The 2011 AUDI A3 has 51 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 AUDI A3?
The 2011 AUDI A3 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 AUDI A3?
Yes, the 2011 AUDI A3 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 AUDI A3?
The most-complained component for the 2011 AUDI A3 is AIR BAGS with 20 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2011 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. The 2011 AUDI A3 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. 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.