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2011 Audi A3: common problems and reliability
· 8PAAn average A3 year.
42 owner complaints, most about air bags. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2011 A3?The 2011 Audi A3 has 42 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and fuel/propulsion system. 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 2011 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2011 Audi A3 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other A3 years only. How we score it
Is 2011 a good year for the A3?
Across the 22 A3 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2001) to 180 (2015). With 42 complaints, the 2011 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 2011 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.
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.
fuel system, diesel
Campaign 11V490000VOLKSWAGEN 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.
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 19V862000Volkswagen 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.
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 2011 ranks against the rest.
Compare the A3 against its rivals
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