2010 Audi A3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other A3 years
- Far more complaints than other years 5th of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Audi A3. That ranks 5th out of 23 A3 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (13 complaints, 26%), typically at around 96,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.
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- 50owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 4NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2010 Audi A3 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 13 | 26% | 96,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 13 | 26% | 38,753 | — | — |
| Power Train | 11 | 22% | 35,977 | — | — |
| Engine | 4 | 8% | 43,627 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 8% | 47,877 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 6% | 83,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 2 | 4% | 74,500 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 4% | 958 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 4% | 80,500 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 4% | 9,600 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 2% | 68,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 2% | 96,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 2% | 96,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 2% | 100,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2010 Audi A3 recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, diesel
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire could occur.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage (PE11023) — opened Aug 2, 2011, closed Dec 2, 2011, led to recall 11V490000.
- High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (EA11003) — opened Feb 7, 2011, closed Mar 27, 2015.
- High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP) (PE10034) — opened Aug 26, 2010, closed Feb 8, 2011.
- Vehicle stall/loss motive power (PE09035) — opened Jul 17, 2009, closed Nov 19, 2009, led to recall 09V333000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
225/45zr1794w purchased at discount tire. TPMS system failed after tire installation. I told the technician and he reset the system. Five miles later TPMS indicator came on. Malfunction TPMS. I monitor the tire pressure periodically and the tires seemed fine. While driving on Florida 528 to the…
The car shuts off when driving. All power steering, electrical, power brakes, engine...everything. Has shut off driving on freeway going 70mph
This 2010 audi a3 tdi equipped with an s tronic direct-shift gearbox will randomly shift into neutral or limp mode and it is not possible to proceed with normal vehicle operation after this occurs without first placing the vehicle in park, turning off the ignition and then restarting the vehicle…
Related to recall 45f5 abs control module. This vehicle has a failed abs control module that deactivates abs braking systems, electronic stability control, and headlight range control. This specific vin is not included in the affected range per the recall stated above although it demonstrates the…
I have an audi a3 manufactured in 2009 presenting severe issues with the abs control module. Audi has a recall for several audi and vw models manufactured the same year, recall number 16v913000. Audi of america was notified however declined responsibility allegedly because my vehicle was not in the…
Other Audi A3 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 A3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 A3 | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 A3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 A3 | 7 | 2 |
| 2022 A3 | 9 | 6 |
| 2020 A3 | 16 | 3 |
| 2019 A3 | 10 | 3 |
| 2018 A3 | 33 | 2 |
| 2017 A3 | 44 | 2 |
| 2016 A3 | 83 | 3 |
| 2015 A3 | 93 | 2 |
| 2013 A3 | 20 | 3 |
| 2012 A3 | 43 | 4 |
| 2011 A3 | 43 | 4 |
| 2010 | 50 | 5 |
| 2009 A3 | 47 | 5 |
| 2008 A3 | 43 | 3 |
| 2007 A3 | 52 | 3 |
| 2006 A3 | 123 | 4 |
| 2005 A3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2004 A3 | 6 | 0 |
| 2003 A3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2001 A3 | 1 | 0 |
See all Audi A3 problems by year, every Audi model, or the Audi VIN decoder.
Similar Audi models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Audi A3?
Owners most often report air bags, fuel system, diesel, power train problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 13 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Audi A3?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2010 Audi A3 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other A3 model years, the 2010 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.