CarRecallWatchThe 2011 Audi A3 has 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 fire.
The most-reported problem area is Air Bags (20 reports).
2011 Audi A3 recalls
Driver Air Bag Inflator May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments
The driver's side air bag inflator in these vehicles may rupture because its propellant can degrade over time after long exposure to high humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature swings.
Driver Airbag Inflator Can Explode, Spraying Metal
Certain Audi vehicles have a driver's frontal airbag inflator that may build up excessive internal pressure when the airbag deploys.
Driver Airbag Inflator May Rupture, Spraying Metal Fragments
The driver's frontal airbag inflator can build up excessive internal pressure when the airbag deploys.
Most common 2011 Audi A3 problems
Problem areas named in the 43 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 20 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 4 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
What owners report
answering questions above: -body control module fuse, possibly engine comopartment fuse box itself -intermittent exterior lighting outages -no dealer / independent service center has inspected -not been inspected by anyone -no warnings, just bulb-out warnings once the issue started longform description: Last week, I was experiencing intermittent light outages on the right side of my car (2011 audi a3 TDI) . It started wednesday 3/22, during my morning commute to work, when I was exiting highway and turned on my right turn signal all the exterior lights on the right side of my car started flickering, and stopped. Same thing happened the next morning, except worse, applying my brakes woul
ESP malfunctioned while driving on highway: tires braked several times rapidly on one side without warning, making car difficult to control. Immediately took foot off gas and had to steer out of a small fishtail. At the time I was driving at normal speed, not cornering aggressively or anything, on a smooth dry road. In heavy traffic or on a wet road this could have resulted in a crash. On just a couple occasions shortly before this occurred, while going around corners at highway or near-highway speeds there was a sensation that the steering direction suddenly "slipped" a notch, with a sort of thunk from the tires. At the time I attributed it to unseen road bumps, but after experiencing the
Airbag warning light came on. Dealer said passenger seat occupancy sensor must be replaced, at cost of $1500-3000 since it's 5 months past my warranty. Numerous Audi models from 2012 onward have a recall for this sensor, but not my 2011 model (yet). Other automakers have extended their warranty for this safety-critical part -- BMW to 15 years, for example. Technicians could not tell me if the sensor error means all airbags are disabled, passenger airbag only is disabled, or passenger airbag is always-on (dangerous for children).
MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2011 AUDI A3 TDI TO THE GYM AT NIGHT WHEN HE CALLED ME THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND HAD A WARNING LIGHT COME ON. I TOLD HIM TO GOOGLE IT AND HE FOUND OUT IT WAS A GLOW PLUG INDICATOR. I TOLD HIM TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT IN THE LIMP MODE. THE CAR DIED WHILE MOVING AND MY SON WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS COULD OF BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. I HAD TO PICK HIM UP AND HAD THE CAR TOWED IN THE MORNING. TO FIND OUT THIS CAR IS NOTORIOUS FOR CATASTROPHIC HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. WHEN I SAY CATASTROPHIC, METAL IS SHREDDED AND GOES INTO THE INJECTORS AND CONTAMINATES EVERYTHING THAT CARRIES FUEL. IT IS ABO
INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF EXTERIOR LIGHTS TO INCLUDE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS DURING DRIVING. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS AT NIGHT. FAULT SEEMS TO BE (ENGINE) TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT (I.E. - DOES NOT SEEM TO OCCUR WHEN ENGINE BAY IS COLD). ISSUE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS (UNTIL THE PARTS IN THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION WERE REPLACED). THE PLASTIC HOUSING FOR A 30 AMPERE FUSE (POSITION F16) IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS PARTIALLY MELTING. THE MELTED FUSE RESIDUE WORKED ITSELF INTO THE FUSE BOX TERMINALS (CAUSING DAMAGE OF THE FUSE BOX) AND CAUSING A FAULTY CONNECTION WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE INTERMITTENT FAILURES OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS. I HAVE
2011 Audi A3 questions
Does the 2011 Audi A3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2011 Audi A3: Driver Air Bag Inflator May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments; Driver Airbag Inflator Can Explode, Spraying Metal; Driver Airbag Inflator May Rupture, Spraying Metal Fragments; Fuel System, Diesel. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Audi A3?
Based on 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (20), Engine (6), Fuel/Propulsion System (6).
How do I check if a recall on my 2011 Audi A3 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.