YearToAvoid

2009 Audi A3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

89/100

#3 most-complained of 19 A3 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2009 Audi A3 has 47 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 89 out of 100 — #3 highest of 19 A3 model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is airbags (22 complaints, 47% of the total). Complaints report 5 crashes and 3 injuries.

Complaints
47
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
5 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 28 hwy

Top 2009 Audi A3 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags22 (47%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain15 (32%)
  3. Brakes9 (19%)
  4. Engine7 (15%)
  5. Electrical System6 (13%)
  6. Other1 (2%)
  7. Structure & Body1 (2%)
2009 Audi A3 complaints: complaints filed per month6May 2009Apr 2014Jul 2016Feb 2017Jan 2018Apr 2019Oct 2021
61 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2009 to Dec 2022; peak Feb 2017 (6).

2009 Audi A3 recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2009 Audi A3 →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Good3952324
2008Good4443324
2009Avoid8947524
2010Avoid7850524
2011Caution5043424

All Audi A3 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Audi A3 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Audi A3 ranks #3 of 19 among A3 model years (Complaint Index 89/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 47 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Audi A3?
The most reported problem areas are airbags (22 complaints), transmission & powertrain (15 complaints), and brakes (9 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 72,500 miles.
Does the 2009 Audi A3 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2009 Audi A3, most recently reported 2018, covering airbags, brakes, fuel system, and transmission & powertrain.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Audi A3?
EPA rates the 2009 Audi A3 at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.