2009 Audi A3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Audi A3 carries a complaint index of 89, ranking 3rd-worst among 19 model years, and is rated Avoid. Airbags account for 47% of complaints, with 5 recalls covering airbags, brakes, fuel system, and transmission.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #3 of 19 A3 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 47
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2009 Audi A3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags22 (47%)
- Transmission & Powertrain15 (32%)
- Brakes9 (19%)
- Engine7 (15%)
- Electrical System6 (13%)
- Other1 (2%)
- Structure & Body1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral or a sport-like gear while braking or at low speed, then lurches or accelerates without driver input.
- ABS and ESC warning lights flicker at speed, followed by brake and accelerator pedals failing to respond.
- Driver frontal airbags fail to deploy during frontal collisions, including impacts with trees and telephone poles.
- DSG transmission makes clunking noises, hesitates going into reverse, or displays gear indicator cycling through P-R-N-D unexpectedly.
- Rear differential fails at highway speed, producing a sensation similar to brakes engaging on their own.
- Headlights and interior lights flash or blink noticeably when the brake pedal is applied, especially at night.
2009 Audi A3 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V082000Jan 30, 2018Airbags162,782 vehicles
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 may cause the inflator to explode.
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.
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.
- NHTSA 16V913000Dec 20, 2016Brakes135,683 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc)
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V079000Feb 10, 2016Airbags151,767 vehicles
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.
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.
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.
2009 Audi A3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other A3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Audi A3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Audi A3 has a complaint index of 89, the 3rd-worst of 19 model years, and is rated Avoid relative to other A3 years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2009 Audi A3?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 47% of complaints, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 32% and Brakes at 19%, per NHTSA data.
- Does the 2009 Audi A3 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2009 Audi A3, covering airbag inflators, an ABS control module software update, a fuel tank ventilation valve, and a DSG transmission wiring harness.
- At what mileage do airbag problems show up on the 2009 A3?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 88,500 miles at failure for airbag-related complaints on the 2009 A3.
- How does the 2009 A3 compare to other years?
- The 2009 A3 (complaint index 89) ranks worse than the 2007 and 2008 model years, both rated Good with complaint indexes of 39 and 44, but is not as bad as 2006 (index 94) or 2016 (index 100).