2012 AUDI A3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
48
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
47
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2012 AUDI A3
The 2012 AUDI A3 has received a total of 48 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 47 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 (31 complaints), Electrical System (6 complaints), and Exterior Lighting (5 complaints).
Recalls for the 2012 AUDI A3
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2012 AUDI A3, potentially affecting up to 483,050 vehicles.
Recall 19V862000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 226 vehicles affected
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for...
View full details →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 11V490000 — FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
| 168,275 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 AUDI A3
48 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 AUDI A3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 31 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The tail light bulbs melts plastic and can cause fire. My light indicator came on. When I checked the bulb, the internal structure was melted. I ordered exact model from a junk yard. When I received, I noticed it had the same issue and the internal structure was melting from heat of light bulb. Both Left and Right Tail light structures were melting. Potential fire hazard.
air bag came on in dash. even though the air bag was recalled and fixed by dealer
THIS CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED IN 2012 AND THEREFORE NO LONGER NEEDS THE AIRBAG RECALL TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. PLEASE REMOVE THIS RECALL NOTICE FROM THE DATABASE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUDI CARLSBAD (5425 PASEO DEL NORTE, CARLSBAD, CA 92008, (760) 438-9490) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I HAVE HAD A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IT REPLACED AT AUDI SINCE 2016, I HAVE SENT EMAILS TO THE GENERAL MANAGER AND THEY KEPT SAYING "THEY DO NOT HAVE THE AIRBAGS IN STOCK". I HAVE TRIED ANOTHER AUID AND GERT THE SAME ANSWER.
Safety Rating for the 2012 AUDI A3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2012 AUDI A3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 AUDI A3
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 47 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 AUDI A3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
A0123682064398_3 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
This bulletin provides information for when the MIL is on and DTC P040100 is stored in the ECM.
A2320552040752_1 — FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
This bulletin contains repair information for when metallic particles are found in the high-pressure fuel pump.
TRMNEDMV_Audi — AIR BAGS
In conjunction with the Nebraska DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 400 Audi owners in the State of Nebraska on March 23, 2020.
Circular 26N1 — ENGINE
Due to a parts catalog error, an incorrect emissions related component may have been installed on some vehicles during a past service repair visit. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the component as a proactive measure to ensure continued emissions compliance.
Circular 26N1 — EQUIPMENT
Due to a parts catalog error, an incorrect emissions related component may have been installed on some vehicles during a past service repair visit. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the component as a proactive measure to ensure continued emissions compliance.
Dealer 26N1 — ENGINE
Due to a parts catalog error, an incorrect emissions related component may have been installed on some vehicles during a past service repair visit. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the component as a proactive measure to ensure continued emissions compliance.
A2319522040752_8 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
This bulletin contains repair information for when metallic particles are found in the high-pressure fuel pump.
TDI Repair and I — EQUIPMENT
Email TDI Repair and IN-FORM Tool Enhancement
Email-TDI Virtua — EQUIPMENT
TDI Virtual Closing Resources
A231742 2048573- — ENGINE
This bulletin is a notification of the Campaign 23U7 for TDI Generation I A3 2.0L Emissions Modification.
Showing 10 of 47 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 AUDI A3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the AUDI A3
- 2007 AUDI A3 — 63 complaints
- 2008 AUDI A3 — 46 complaints
- 2009 AUDI A3 — 66 complaints
- 2010 AUDI A3 — 60 complaints
- 2011 AUDI A3 — 51 complaints
- 2012 AUDI A3 (current)
- 2013 AUDI A3 — 24 complaints
- 2014 AUDI A3 — 0 complaints
- 2015 AUDI A3 — 125 complaints
- 2016 AUDI A3 — 111 complaints
- 2017 AUDI A3 — 74 complaints