Audi A3 Complaints

905 consumer complaints on file.

#11451977February 14, 2022
AIR BAGS
Contacted the place that sold me the car Audi North Houston. Everytime I try to replace it. They say that they’re out of the part and will contact me. It has been months and it still hasn’t been replaced. I’m worried about driving an unsafe vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449331January 28, 2022
AIR BAGS, SEATS
There has been previous recall for the passenger seat occupation sensor in 2019, asking for a connector to be replaced. Approximately 3 months after the connector was replaced in late 2019, the airbag warning light in the dashboard turned on. That was approximately in March or April of 2020. The car was only lightly used during 2020 and the latest recall had not been issued. In early 2021, a letter with recall information arrived and stated that I shall not use the car with the passenger seat occupied if the warning light was on. I contacted Audi Service in May 2021 and was told that no parts were available to repair - About a month ago I received another letter repeating the warning and stating that parts were available. I tried to arrange an appointment but was again told, no parts were available and the earliest appointment would be available in May. As of now, the airbag warning light is on, the airbag indicator says “Airbag has been disabled” and the diagnostic readout reports “Sensor resistance too high"
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11448780January 25, 2022
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had previously been serviced four years ago for the recurring failure, and the dealer had replaced the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) sensor mat. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11448858January 25, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Auxiliary PTC Electric Cabin Heater fails and causes an overheat/fire condition. We own a 2015 Audi A3 TDI Premium Plus sedan. This vehicle has a diesel engine. Audi fitted A3 models that have a diesel engine with an auxiliary electric cabin air heater. This heater helps to warm the cabin and provide defrost capabilities on days when the temperature is below 7 degrees C. This heater in our vehicle failed due to melting at the wiring harness connection lugs. This melting caused an overheating condition to occur. On cold days we would notice a terrible burning plastic, rubber smell coming from the air vents inside the cabin. Once the car was warmed up and the electric heater was disabled by the cars ECU (computer) the smell gradually went away. The process was repeated the next day, but the smell was worse. We took the vehicle to Zimbrick European Audi in Madison, WI. They found the electrical issue with the Auxiliary Electric Cabin Air heater. In researching this issue we found there are MANY user reports of the same failure on Volkswagon Audi Group vehicles. Audi issued a safety recall for the SAME problem on Audi A4, A5 and Q5 vehicles under Audi Safety Recall Code : 80C5 with the NHTSA document number being: RCRIT-17V622-6265.pdf This very same problem currently affects my Audi A3 TDI. I have found numerous other people reporting the same issue with VW Golf TDI models, VW Passat TDI models and Jetta TDI models. Examples are located here: https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php?threads/burning-smell-from-heat.513304/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6tEwBzZIxs The problem is most likely the same materials defects that occurred with the Audi A4, A5 and Q5 models. The third party supplier of the Auxiliary Electric Cabin Air Heaters used TIN for some of the components. These substandard components lead to product failure and ultimately thermal overload, melting plastic/rubber and potentially a fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11448322January 21, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:INTERLOCK/LOCKOUT
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that she was able to remove the key from the ignition switch even though the gear selector was not in the PARK position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer installed a microswitch. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall for the failure because it was not a safety hazard. The failure mileage was 49,154.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11448382January 21, 2022
VISIBILITY/WIPER, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Rearview backup camera is intermittently inoperative. Cannot use camera to see what is behind the car. Dealer inspected, duplicated and confirmed problem. Dealer at first ignored. Once out of warranty, dealer duplicated problem. It is a known problem. Manufacturer issued Technical Service Bulletin: 91 16 87 2045730/1 November 7, 2016.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11447456January 14, 2022
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2020 AUDI A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated the air bag warning light was illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 7,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11447339January 13, 2022
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the dealer confirmed that only five parts were received per week. The contact was informed that she could not be added to the waiting list. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but was unable to confirm when parts would be available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated indicating that the passenger’s side air bag had failed. Additionally, the sensors had started to malfunction. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11446671January 7, 2022
AIR BAGS
The warning lights that the Airbag is not functioning intermittently turns on and off and the car beeps incessantly. It is very distracting and has diverted my attention several times on the highway. This Recall has been pending since March 2021. I have been trying to schedule an appointment with the dealer to get it fixed and the response I get is there are no parts, call back next month. At this point I am concerned that Audi does not have the necessary parts and is simply wasting their customers time asking them to schedule appointments with the dealer. It will be great if the NHTSA can investigate this and update owners with what to expect here. I am concerned that I am driving this car without passenger airbags functioning for close to a year now!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11446284January 5, 2022
AIR BAGS
On 4 Jan 2022 I received my notification of the PODS recall from Audi for my 2018 A3. I called the dealer and they informed me they did not have the part and would not schedule me for the repair until they had they part. They also indicated they had no control over when the part would be available and suggested I call Audi Customer Care for information on when the part might be available. I did as suggested and got a supreme runaround and sent back to the dealer. The service manager indicated to me they would put me on the list and call when they received the part. Unfortunately, they could not schedule me for repairs as they did not have a delivery date for the part from Audi. My system is intermittently showing the airbag is not working. This has been going on for a couple of months. I should be able to schedule my car for repair but cannot as Audi is slow rolling the delivery of the part for this recall. I want to inform NHTSA that Audi is not offering a timely response to this recall. After being notified of the problem several months ago, you would think they could start the manufacturing process to deliver parts in a timely manner. And to send a letter to me and advise that I should schedule the repair only to discover the parts aren't available and I can't get my Audi A3 repaired is very bad on Audi's part.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11446289January 5, 2022
ENGINE
This is the second failed (1/1/2022) camshaft position sensor on separate cylinder (#4), p/n 06E-103-697-AE. First one failed 3/05/2021. There are 8 of these adjusters on the particular engine. I have asked the dealer to retain the part. Safety is related to engine operation...malfunction indicator light is lit and vehicle/engine fails emissions inspection. Problem has been confirmed by dealer, Audi Silver Spring, MD. Vehicle is being repaired by Audi dealer at my cost. Second time $500. Yes, engine malfunction indicator light is on and vehicle fails emission inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11446150January 4, 2022
AIR BAGS
air bag came on in dash. even though the air bag was recalled and fixed by dealer
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11445944January 3, 2022
AIR BAGS
The contact and his wife own a 2016 Audi A3. The contact had received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted and informed that the parts remained unavailable despite the letter that stated otherwise. The contact also stated that the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) was inactive and that the passenger air bag warning light had illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11445248December 28, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof exploded while driving. All windows and sunroof closed also sunscreen was closed. I heard a terrifying loud explosion then I heard all the glass shattering and falling on the sunscreen. I pulled over and called police because I thought it was a gunshot. But no evidence of a gunshot, rock, bird or object. Sunscreen is intact. It was on Christmas day so was not a hot day and no heater turned on at the time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11444968December 26, 2021
SEATS, AIR BAGS
I purchased this vehicle in Germany back in September 2020. It’s a US spec Audi that has the passenger air bag floor sensor recall that I can’t seem to get fixed by the German Audi dealership. How can I get this recall fixed in case I sell the car or want to ship it back stateside. They won’t ship a car with a potential safety recall outstanding. My phone number is [XXX] and I used my stateside address because the system will not accept my German address. Please contact me via phone number listed above or by email. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11443609December 13, 2021
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2020 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving approximately 65-70 MPH with a passenger seated in the passenger’s seat, the "Air bag Off", "Malfunction, air bag off" warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving and the warning light remained illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The dealer also informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 9,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11443041December 8, 2021
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. There was an abnormal buzzing sound detected. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified but, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441118November 20, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
During cold ambient temperature when the engine is cold the vehicle activates an axillary cabin heater which fills the cabin with smoke and burning odor due to the heating element burning the housing and wiring inside the dash. This is a serious danger risking vehicle fire and health hazard for the operator and occupants of the vehicle. It appears multiple other Audi vehicles have a similar/same heating element that have the same issue. The 2015 A4 and Q5 appear to have a recall for this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440739November 17, 2021
AIR BAGS
Nothing has happened (Yet), but Audi has still not come up with a fix for this problem since March 2021. This is real safety concern for front passengers in the 2020 Audi A3 autos.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440855November 17, 2021
AIR BAGS, SEATS
The front-passenger airbag deactivated while my father was riding in the car and the corresponding warning light came on. The error first occurred prior to the Mar 2021 Recall. I notified Audi multiple times that my vehicle had this problem, but Audi has not repaired it or offered me an alternative option.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Audi A3