2010 Audi A3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
85/100
#3 most-complained of 14 A3 years
The 2010 Audi A3 has a complaint index of 85 and ranks 3rd worst among 14 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Fuel system problems dominate, with 19 complaints (38% share) and a median failure mileage of 39,100.
- Complaints
- 50
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
Top 2010 Audi A3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System19 (38%)
- Airbags13 (26%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (22%)
- Engine6 (12%)
- Brakes2 (4%)
- Electrical System2 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)
- Other1 (2%)
- Structure & Body1 (2%)
What owners report
- Engine shuts off completely at highway speed with no warning lights, leaving the vehicle unable to restart and requiring a tow.
- Fuel system stalls occur while driving on the freeway or local streets, often followed by a failed restart.
- Owners describe the high-pressure fuel pump failing internally, sending metal particles through the fuel system.
- Intermittent hesitation or loss of acceleration from a stop or while merging, described as the engine revving without the car moving forward.
- A frontal airbag inflator deployed improperly during a crash, causing burns to the driver's arm.
- A tire pressure warning appeared at low speed, and the rear tire was found flattened before being replaced.
2010 Audi A3 recalls
3 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 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.
- NHTSA 11V490000Oct 3, 2011Fuel System168,275 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel
Volkswagen is recalling certain model 2009-2012 jetta and jetta sportwagen vehicles, manufactured from may 2008 through september 2011, model year 2010-2012 volkswagen golf vehicles, manufactured from may 2009 through september 2011, and model year 2010-2012 audi a3 vehicles, manufactured from september 2009 through september 2011, that are equipped with a 2.0l tdi common rail diesel engine/clean diesel engine. The fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the injector line #2, in specific load and rpm conditions. This resonance creates additional stress in the fuel line.
Risk: Due to the resonance condition, injector line number 2 could develop small cracks which could lead to fuel leakage. Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source, may lead to a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will install an improved fuel injector line for the number 2 cylinder on certain vehicles and will install vibration dampers on all of the injector lines. Volkswagen and audi will notify owners to have the vehicles repaired free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during november 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
2010 Audi A3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 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.
2010 compared with other A3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Audi A3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 A3 ranks 3rd worst out of 14 model years with a complaint index of 85, placing it in the Avoid category relative to other A3 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Audi A3?
- Fuel system issues are the top problem area, accounting for 19 of 50 complaints (38%) with a median failure mileage of 39,100.
- Does the 2010 Audi A3 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 Audi A3, covering airbag inflators (two separate campaigns) and a fuel injector line issue, none marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2010 Audi A3 compare to other years?
- The 2010 A3 has a complaint index of 85, worse than 2011 (46), 2012 (62), and 2013 (31), but better than 2016 (100) and 2015 (92), which are also rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Audi A3?
- The 2010 Audi A3 gets an EPA-rated 24 mpg combined (21.5 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300.