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2009 Audi A3: common problems and reliability
· 8PAOne of the weaker A3 years.
48 owner complaints, most about air bags. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 A3?The 2009 Audi A3 has 48 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and power train. Owners most often flag cam follower failure on 2.0t: owners report cam follower wear at around 100,000 miles, with one requiring camshaft replacement covered by audi until 120,000 miles.
Safety record for the 2009 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2009 Audi A3 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other A3 years only. How we score it
Is 2009 a good year for the A3?
Across the 22 A3 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2001) to 180 (2015). With 48 complaints, the 2009 A3 sits about the same as the model's median of 42.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2009 A3
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 18V082000Volkswagen 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Campaign 16V913000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 16V079000Volkswagen 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.
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 09V333000VOLKSWAGEN 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.
Show 1 more recall
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Campaign 09V377000VOLKSWAGEN 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.
What owners report on the 8PA A3
Owners describe the 8PA A3 as an enjoyable, well-built car that is essentially an upscale Golf, but opinions on reliability are sharply divided.
- Very frequent2.0T excessive oil consumption
Multiple owners across different threads report oil burning, with one saying "these cars eat oil" and another noting their 2010 A3 burned more oil than a 2010 A5.
- RecurrentCam follower failure on 2.0T
Owners report cam follower wear at around 100,000 miles, with one requiring camshaft replacement covered by Audi until 120,000 miles.
- RecurrentTiming chain stretch on 2.0T
Owners warn about timing chain stretching on 2006-2009 models, with one advising a VCDS check for chain stretch before purchase.
- RecurrentDSG transmission issues
Owners report jerky shifts, mechatronics unit failure, water mixed with transmission oil from a leaking oil cooler, and vibration problems. One 3.2 owner at 147,000 miles had mechatronics issues.
- RecurrentEngine mounts causing vibration
Owners report longitudinal engine-torsional vibration traced to the lower dogbone engine mount.
Owner insights for the 8PA A3. Read the full 8PA owner report.
Other A3 model years
Compare every A3 year side by side to see how 2009 ranks against the rest.
Compare the A3 against its rivals
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