2008 AUDI A3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
46
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
23
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 AUDI A3
The 2008 AUDI A3 has received a total of 46 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. 23 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (24 complaints), Power Trainautomatic Transmission (10 complaints), and Power Train (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 AUDI A3
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2008 AUDI A3, potentially affecting up to 324,749 vehicles.
Recall 18V082000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 162,782 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 16V079000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 151,767 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 09V377000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 10,200 vehicles affected
Defect: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 AUDI A3, TT, AND TT ROADSTER PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 AND AUGUST 26, 2009. THE CLOSING FORCE OF AN INTERNAL SPRING OF THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE VALVE CLOSED UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUDI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WITH AN IMPROVED VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 AUDI A3
46 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 AUDI A3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE. MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THE CODE P0171 THAT READS AS THE DIAGNOSTIC DOES NOT CORRELATE WITH MY CAR AS MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PCV VALVE. THEY HAVE INSPECTED THE CAR TO LOOK FOR SIMILAR ISSUES AND HAVE FOUND NONE. YET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A RECALL REPORTED 09/30/2009 ON MY TYPE OF CAR UNDER CAMPAIGN 09V377000 BUT MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING AS AFFECTED BY THAT CAMPAIGN EVEN THOUGH THE CODE THAT IS COMING UP IS A SIMILAR ISSUE. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING MY CAR NOW. I CAN'T NOT REPAIR WHAT I CAN NOT DIAGNOSE. I BELIEVE THAT I AM AFFECTED BY THE RECALL.
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE. MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THE CODE P0171 THAT READS AS THE DIAGNOSTIC DOES NOT CORRELATE WITH MY CAR AS MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PCV VALVE. THEY HAVE INSPECTED THE CAR TO LOOK FOR SIMILAR ISSUES AND HAVE FOUND NONE. YET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A RECALL REPORTED 09/30/2009 ON MY TYPE OF CAR UNDER CAMPAIGN 09V377000 BUT MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING AS AFFECTED BY THAT CAMPAIGN EVEN THOUGH THE CODE THAT IS COMING UP IS A SIMILAR ISSUE. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING MY CAR NOW. I CAN'T NOT REPAIR WHAT I CAN NOT DIAGNOSE. I BELIEVE THAT I AM AFFECTED BY THE RECALL.
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED NOTICE IN JANUARY OF 2019 THAT MY VEHICLE WAS HAVING A SECOND RECALL ON THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. I IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP; I COULD NOT GET THROUGH. I THEN CONTACTED AUDI CORPORATE, WHO SAID THEY LEFT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIOP MESSAGES ON MY BEHALF; AGAIN NO RESPONSE. AFTER CALLING MULTIPLE OTHER DEALERSHIPS IN MY STATE, ONE A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR FROM ME ACTUALLY REPLIED TO MY MESSAGES. IT TOOK UNTIL JUNE TO GET THIS RECALL COMPLETED. NEITHER AUDI USA NOR IT'S LOCAL DEALERS SEEM TO CARE ABOUT PERFORMING A SAFETY RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER.
EXCESSIVE REAR SUBFRAME CORROSION THAT ISN'T BEING COVERED BY A 12 YEAR ANTI-CORROSION WARRANTY. THE SAFETY ISSUE STEMS FROM; A, A PROPER ALIGNMENT ISN'T POSSIBLE, B THE REAR SUBFRAME IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE REAR GEOMETRY OF THE VEHICLE, WHEELS, BRAKES AND SUSPENSION.
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED NOTICE IN JANUARY OF 2019 THAT MY VEHICLE WAS HAVING A SECOND RECALL ON THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. I IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP; I COULD NOT GET THROUGH. I THEN CONTACTED AUDI CORPORATE, WHO SAID THEY LEFT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIOP MESSAGES ON MY BEHALF; AGAIN NO RESPONSE. AFTER CALLING MULTIPLE OTHER DEALERSHIPS IN MY STATE, ONE A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR FROM ME ACTUALLY REPLIED TO MY MESSAGES. IT TOOK UNTIL JUNE TO GET THIS RECALL COMPLETED. NEITHER AUDI USA NOR IT'S LOCAL DEALERS SEEM TO CARE ABOUT PERFORMING A SAFETY RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER.
Safety Rating for the 2008 AUDI A3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 AUDI A3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 AUDI A3
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 23 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 AUDI A3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
TRMDMV_CO_Audi — AIR BAGS
In conjunction with the Colorado DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,174 Audi owners in the State of Colorado on February 13, 2023.
SM 88-2018 — AIR BAGS
The part number listed in the document are to be returned and only the superseded part numbers ordered.
Maint Flip Chart — EQUIPMENT
Revision to Tires-rotate: 5K only; added "(except R8)"
Bulletin 69N1 69 — AIR BAGS
69N1, 69N2 - Campaign Parts Bulletin - Today, May 5th is the final standard weekly allocation of Takata airbag inflators. After this date, Takata allocations will be based on the previous week?s paid claim volume. It is CRITICAL that claims are submitted in a timely fashion in order to receive...
A401758 2031722- — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
This informational bulletin contains information regarding creaking and squeaking noises from the front axle when driving at low temperatures on rough roads.
AIRBAG — AIR BAGS
AIRBAG COLLECTION PROGRAM CLAIM INSTRUCTIONS
ATE-15-18 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This circular contains important information regarding A3 e-tron tooling. Information will be covered in the subsequent sections depending on the dealership's current status.
Executive Servic — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This document contains a fluid capacity chart as well as a chart that contains the parts and part numbers needed for service.
TSB-01-15-17 — EQUIPMENT
AUDI: DUE TO FUEL INTRUSION IN LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR, A FALSE SIGNAL IS BEING SENT TO CONTROLLER, RESULTING IN AN OUT OF TOLERANCE READING FOR G410. MODEL 2005-08 A4, 2007-08 A4 CABRIOLET, A3, 2007 TT. *PE
A461466 2022584- — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 46 number 12-23 dated June 18, 2012. Customer may report that the steering wheel vibrates or pulsates when the brakes are applied. Document contains the brake pulsation diagnostic guidelines.
Showing 10 of 23 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 AUDI A3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the AUDI A3
- 2003 AUDI A3 — 2 complaints
- 2004 AUDI A3 — 7 complaints
- 2005 AUDI A3 — 0 complaints
- 2006 AUDI A3 — 140 complaints
- 2007 AUDI A3 — 63 complaints
- 2008 AUDI A3 (current)
- 2009 AUDI A3 — 66 complaints
- 2010 AUDI A3 — 60 complaints
- 2011 AUDI A3 — 51 complaints
- 2012 AUDI A3 — 48 complaints
- 2013 AUDI A3 — 24 complaints