YearToAvoid

2009 Audi A3 Airbags Problems

NHTSA has 22 owner complaints about airbag problems in the 2009 Audi A3, 47% of all 47 complaints for this model year. That is #7 highest airbag complaint count among 19 A3 model years. These complaints report 2 crashes and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 88,500 miles.

Airbags complaints
22
47% of 47
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
88,500 mi
Related recalls
2

When 2009 Audi A3 airbag complaints were filed

First complaint May 4, 2016, latest Mar 13, 2022.

2009 Audi A3 airbags complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2016Aug 2016Nov 2016Feb 2017Apr 2017Jan 2018Oct 2018Mar 2022
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2016 to Mar 2022; peak Jul 2016 (3).

Airbags recalls for the 2009 Audi A3

  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 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.

Airbags complaints by A3 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20050 (0%)
  2. 200656 (46%)
  3. 200732 (62%)
  4. 200824 (56%)
  5. 200922 (47%)
  6. 201013 (26%)
  7. 201120 (47%)
  8. 201231 (72%)
  9. 201310 (50%)
  10. 201545 (49%)
  11. 201636 (44%)
  12. 201716 (36%)
  13. 201817 (52%)
  14. 20193 (30%)
  15. 20209 (56%)
  16. 20223 (33%)
  17. 20230 (0%)
  18. 20240 (0%)
  19. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Audi A3 have airbag problems?
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints about the airbag in the 2009 Audi A3, 47% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 88,500 miles.
Which Audi A3 year has the most airbag complaints?
The 2006 Audi A3 has the most airbag complaints (56), compared with 22 for the 2009.
Is there a airbag recall for the 2009 Audi A3?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Audi A3 concern the airbag: 18V082000 and 16V079000.

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.