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 high and unpredictable maintenance/repair costs: very frequent criticism across all generations and a primary driver of negative sentiment.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2009 Audi A3 vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 19 A3 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2024) to 176 (2015). With 48 complaints, the 2009 A3 sits about the same asthe model's median of 43.
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.
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.…
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 veh…
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 fronta…
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…
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on generation, engine choice, and maintenance expectations. For the 8V generation (approx. 2013-2020), owner feedback is generally positive regarding driving dynamics, fuel efficiency (particularly…
Owner insights cover all generations of the A3. See the full A3 owner picture and every model year.
Used A3 listings typically run $14,428–$39,051 across 2011 to 2026 model years.
Compare every A3 year side by side to see how 2009 ranks against the rest.