YearToAvoid

2009 Audi A3 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 15 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2009 Audi A3, 32% of all 47 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest transmission complaint count among 19 A3 model years. These complaints report 2 crashes and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 61,500 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
15
32% of 47
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
61,500 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2009 Audi A3 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 26, 2009, latest Sep 6, 2022.

2009 Audi A3 transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month1Aug 2009Jun 2013Apr 2014Oct 2016Aug 2019Apr 2020Oct 2021Sep 2022
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2009 to Sep 2022; peak Aug 2009 (1).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2009 Audi A3

  1. NHTSA 09V333000Aug 20, 2009Transmission & Powertrain16,000 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 passenger cars manufactured between september 2008 and august 2009. The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the direct shift gearbox (dsg) may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped. With insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the transmission to abruptly shift to neutral. If this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash. In addition, the "depress brake pedal" indicator light will be illuminated, alerting the driver to apply the brakes.

    Risk: The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will reprogram the transmission control module with updated software free of charge. The recall began on october 20, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by A3 model year

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

  1. 20050 (0%)
  2. 200637 (30%)
  3. 200716 (31%)
  4. 200813 (30%)
  5. 200915 (32%)
  6. 201011 (22%)
  7. 20113 (7%)
  8. 20120 (0%)
  9. 20132 (10%)
  10. 20155 (5%)
  11. 20166 (7%)
  12. 20176 (14%)
  13. 20184 (12%)
  14. 20191 (10%)
  15. 20202 (13%)
  16. 20222 (22%)
  17. 20231 (14%)
  18. 20240 (0%)
  19. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Audi A3 have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 15 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2009 Audi A3, 32% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 61,500 miles.
Which Audi A3 year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2006 Audi A3 has the most transmission complaints (37), compared with 15 for the 2009.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2009 Audi A3?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Audi A3 concerns the transmission: 09V333000.

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.