Audi A3 (2008 – 2012) Review

• June 2008
• September 2008
• December 2008
• July 2009
• August 2009
• October 2009
• November 2009
• December 2009
• October 2015

01-01-0001:

Report of faulty glass on late 2008 production models. The front windscreen, front side windows and back window all replaced. When driving into the sun millions of tiny bubbles reflecting (and reducing vision) in the windscreen - seems they were between the laminates. Replaced by the dealer with no quibble.

Mechatronic unit problems with DSG/S-tronic can case an initial delay when setting off followed by a sudden surge. A replacement Mechatronic unit cures this. In the USA, VAG has been forced to increase the warranty on the DSG/S-tronic to 10 years.

05-03-2011:

Hinges of glovebox lids are fragile. Heard of two failures within one week, so be careful not to force them shut with too much stuff inside.

30-11-2011:

'Optimise Double Clutch' repair kits for faulty s-tronics in short supply by late 2011 and leading to long delays in repairs.

20-07-2012:

Sporadic reports of high oil consumption of chain cam 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI engines. Apparently Audi considers 1,000 miles a litre to be "normal" oil consumption for these engines. The reason is probably filling the engines with synthetic oil on the production line and owners not revving the engines sufficiently to bed in the oil rings.

15-08-2012:

First report of a dual mass flywheel failure on the A3 2008 facelift model.

11-01-2013:

Warranty on DSG extended to 5 years or 150,000 kilometres in Russia, China and Australia.

15-05-2013:

Drivetrain of 52k mile March 2010 A3 1.4 TFSI failed just 2 months out of warranty, requiring gearbox differential planetary gear assembly and bearing replacement alongwith 5th gear syncro ring. Audi supplied the parts FoC, but labour amounted to £774.60inc vat.

21-05-2013:

ESP light on led to Audi dealer diagnosing 29k mile 2008 A3 1.4 TFSI S tronic as needing new s-tronic transmission at cost of £6,000.

07-10-2013:

This information applies to a Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI DSG, but could equally apply to any VWG car fitted with the 7-speed double dry clutch DSG or 's-tronic' transmission: "Within weeks of buying the car it developed a vibration and slight loss of power on changing from first to second gear when the gearbox was hot on long runs or a lot of town driving. The dealer re-programmed the box twice, both times the fault came back. The gearbox was re-programmed twice more. It still had the fault and neither the manufactures and the dealer could not come up with a solution, so I had to live with it. Towards the end of the warrantee period I complained again and a meew Mechatronics unit was fitted. Again the fault was back within weeks. It turned out that VAG sent out a TSB on about 13-6-2013 describing the fault exactly and it is caused by the clutch pack. VW Group will put something towards the cost of replacing it and the customer stand the rest. In my case, VW Group took the full costs. The problem is caused by one of the clutch plates warping when hot although it has done it once on me when the clutch was cold with a major loss of power. I understand new clutch packs have been modified."

01-03-2014:

V-belt tensioner bracket on 83k mile 2008 Audi A3 1.9 TDI sheared. Engine then needed a new V-belt, timing belt and waterpump (would have needed the timing belt and waterpump anyway). [Not clear if this was the 2003-2008 A3 or the 2008-2012 A3.]

23-07-2014:

2010 Audi A3 1.4 TFSI rerquired new timing chain and tensioner after rattle heard. Dealer quoted £1,500.

14-10-2014:

Engine failure of 103k mile 2009 Audi A3 1.9 TDI reported. "Engine started knocking." Audi dealer quoted £9,000 for a new engine which is more than the car is worth. Recommended FER.

28-04-2015:

Report of failure of manual gearbox of 2009 Audi A3 1.6 at 47,000 miles. Audi promptly offered to pay 59% of the £4,000 (retal) replacement cost.

15-05-2015:

All you need to know about TDI DPFs: http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/DPF-Adblue-FAQ-VW-Audi.htm

30-06-2015:

Report of repeated ignition barrel failures on a 2009 Audi A3 1.9TDI. (Also received one recently on a 2009 VW Golf.)

28-08-2015:

Manual transmission of 25k mile 2012 (old model) Audi A3 1.4TSI found to contain shrapnel. Though a few months out of warranty, Audi agreed to replace the transmission FoC.

09-10-2015:

Strange case of 2011 Audi A3 with EA189 2.0TDI engine. Severe coolant loss at 20k miles. EGR cooler replaced, fault not cured. Cylinder head replaced, fault not cured. Ctlinder block replaced, fault cured up to 40,000 miles when it occurred again: Severe coolant loss, water vapour emitted from exhaust, water in cylinder if left, coolant running into sump. Dealer stumped: suggests head gasket, failure of EGR cooler, or a damaged engine.

30-10-2015:

Timing chain of 2010 Audi A3 2.0TFSI failed at 47k miles. Engine replaced under Audi used car warranty.

28-11-2015:

Timing chain of 2010 Audi A3 2.0TFSI jumped cogs at 45k miles resulting in bent valves, etc. Audi paid 50% of rectification costs.

07-12-2015:

Report of failure of Intake Manifold Flap Position Sensor on LongLife serviced 43k mile 2008 Audi A3 1.8TSI, alarted by emissions warning light. Intigrated into manifold and Audi quoted £750 to replace.

07-12-2015:

Report of excessive oil consumption of Audi A3 1.8TSI (CDAA engine), only running 350 miles from full of oil to oil warning light appearing. Car has full Audi service history. Because there was a compulsory recall for this in the USA and because Audi has been fixing theseengines in the UK, suggested taking it back to the Audi dealer.

18-12-2015:

Report of timing chain stretching on Audi A3 TSI at 65,000 miles despire regular scheduled servicing.

28-02-2016:

2.0TFSI engine of 2010 Audi A3 quattro failed at 62,000 miles with no compression in one of the cylinders. May be stretched timing chain; may be a failed piston oil ring, may be coked up valves. These are three common reasons for failure of these engines prior to the upgrade to EA288 for the MQB cars in late 2012.

01-05-2016:

Report of failure of timing chain of 2011 Audi A3 1.4 TFSI cabrio at just over 60,000 miles. Estimate of £3,000 by Audi independent to rebuild engine.

15-06-2016:

Clutch pack and Mechatronics of 2011/61 Audi A3 2.0TFSI s-tronic reported failed at 57k miles. Quoted £3,000 to repair. No indication whether or not the fluid and filter ahd been changed on schedule.

30-11-2016:

EGR failure reported on 2011 Audi A3 1.6TDI and dealer demanded £1,600 to replace it. Car has not yet been falled in for NOx emissions defeat software/hardware fix. Owner advised that problem probably caused by the illegal emissions of the engine and, if he bought the car from the dealer that wants £1,600 to fix it, he should sue the dealer for the £1,600 on the grounds that the car was originally sold to him with illegal emissions thart caused the EGR problem. Owner gave up on that and had the EGR replaced independently for half the Audi dealer quoted cost.

05-12-2016:

Report of Audi A3TDI recalled on 10th October 2016 for emission modification. Since 'fix' has only done 400 miles and now has problems of engine management light flashing. Diagnostic test identifies failed Exhaust Gas recirculation valve. Car goes into limp mode when driving and Audi dealer cannot take it in for 2 weeks. Car now not safe to drive. Prior to modification no problems. Since modification undriveable. Solicitors working on Class Actions for Volkswagen Owners are Leigh Day and Attwood Solicitors.

11-01-2017:

Audi A3 1.6TDI recalled to dealer for emissions modification found to have choked EGR valve. Too many EA189 1.6TDIs have needed replacement EGR valves for this to be coincidental.

28-01-2017:

Since the s-tronic recall to replace synthetic oil with mineral in 7-speed dry clutch 'non maintenance' DSGs, a maintenance regime of an oil change every 40,000 miles has been imposed.

A3 manual petrol and diesel models have LUK or Sachs dual mass flywheels.

The chain cam EA888 engine in the Audi S3 from 2009-2012 is widely criticised as badly engineered ('Autocar' 23-10-2019 Page 77.) They suffer worn piston rings, burned valves and failing timing chains. This was not corrected until the Golf VII GTI and concurrent Audis, Leons and Octavias which is exhaust manifold in head with direct as well as indirect injection to make sure the inlet valves are washed with petrol to prevent carbon forming on them.

06-02-2017:

Report of previously fault-free, 61k mile 2011 Audi A3 EA189 2.0TDI going in for NOx emissions 'fix' and literally the next day starting having issues with the engine management light coming on intermittently, with power loss symptoms emerging after a few days. The dealership said no link with re-map, and further investigation necessary.

10-02-2017:

Report of s-tronic of 2012 Audi A3 1.8 s-tronic skipping gears then coming to a complete stop. Apparently fixed by a specialist but when re-fitted to the car it still won't move when putting in D and the engine simply shakes.

28-02-2017:

Report of 2010/59 Audi A3 EA189 1.6TDI getting much hotter after the NOx emissions fix. After 4 days the fan started coming on after some journeys - only for about 30 seconds to 1 minute - and it was smelling very warm. This occurred after short journeys and medium length (35-40 minutes) but not for journey of an hour plus. The Audi dealer had it in for a diagnostic check and maintains there is nothing wrong and it is normal for this to happen. Owner had the car from new and it has never happened before. This morning the warning came on saying to check coolant level and owner found it was below the minimum. The car is regularly serviced (last one mid-January) and had a new EGR valve fitted April 2016. Not only is the car getting warmer since the NOx emissions fix, it is also using more fuel.

14-03-2017:

Another report of problems with a 33485 mile EA189 Audi A3 2.0TDI after the NOx emissions fix. Engine management light flashing intermittently every since and engine losing power. Audi dealer charging £90 for 'diagnostics'. Probably a failed EGR valve stem. The Audi garage later found a sporadic fault with the EGR cooler and suggested that if the fault persists a new EGR cooler will be required at a price of £1,374.79. They wanted to charge £90 for this diagnosis? They can probably get some money from VG towards the cost of replacing the EGR.

09-05-2017:

Report of EA189 Audi A3 TDI going in for NOx emissions fix and after this fuel consumption was much greater and owner also had a problem with the engine management system. Audi is now asking him to pay £552 (50% contribution) to have a new EGR cooler fitted. This must be due to the age/mileage/service history of the car.

03-07-2017:

Report that after the NOx emissions fix a 2010 Audi A3 is losing power dramatically and even to the point of cutting out a few times. Now there is smoke coming from the engine. Likely to be a failed anc choked EGR. Dealer is probably liable to replace it FoC.

11-08-2017:

Owner of Audi A3 received letter regarding a safety recall 45FS ESC control unit that states that until the safety modification has been carried out he must adjust his speed in advance to suit the visibility and weather. He believes that he had an accident due to the fault that is the subject of the recall.

12-08-2017:

Another Audi A3 owner received 45FS ESC control unit recall letter that did not come via the DVSA and DVLA database.

11-11-2017:

Report of excessive oil consumption by 2010 Audi A3 1.8TSI. Owner36 dated faults recorded since January 2011. had it in for a service a in October, and on top of the service they changed the coil packs and plugs, they told him it was miss-firing, charging him £1,200. They then They are looked into it being the ongoing EA888 Audi piston oil consumption problem. Happily Audi offered to pay 90%of the repair costs.

05-12-2017:

Report of 2010 Audi A3 TDI bought in April 2017 for £6,500. Needed a fresh fuel filter soon after. Then, after 7 months, needed a new EGR for which the dealer charged £750 when this should have been FoC under Audi's guarantee to repair any issue consequential of the Nox emissions fix free of charge.

20-12-2017:

Timing chain tensioner failure reported on 2018 Audi A3 1.8TFSI.

22-02-2018:

Report of failure of clutch of 2013 Audi A3 2.0TDI cabrio (on older 2008-2012 floorpan), leading to total failure of clutch, DMF and transmission at 51,000 miles. The circular spring on the clutch mechanism broke and a section of the spring protruded and rubbed against the casing of the gearbox, wearing a hole in it. Gearbox then lost its oil and self-destructed, taking the clutch and DMF with it. Repairs estimated at £3,000. This same problem must affect Audi Q3s, VW Golfs, SEAT Leons and Skoda Octavias fitted with the same DMF, clutch and transmission.

08-03-2018:

Report of inlet manifold potentiometer failing on 2010 Audi A3 2.0TSI at 73k miles. Meant replacing entire plastic inlet manifold at considerable cost.

17-03-2018:

Owner of 2009 Audi A3 2.0TFSI S-Line with EA888 engine told that his engine pre-dated a redesign of the timing chain chainsioenr in April 2009 and that his engine urgently needs the redesigned tensionser (and probably a new chain) fitted to avert potential disaster.

15-05-2018:

Stretched timing chain reported on 83k miles 2010 Audi A3 1.4TSI shortly after Audi dealer replaced the waterpump. First signe was the emissions control light coming on.

05-07-2018:

Report of 2010 Audi A3 TDI going into limp mode. "Closest" garage said it needed a new EGR and that would be £600. Had the NOx emissions update a year before and is only now at 80,000 miles. VAG pledge is to fix any issues consequential of the update and this is one of them, but reader may not have taken the car to an Audi dealer.

30-11-2018:

Shards of metal found in reconditioned engine of 2009 Audi A3 1.8T (EA888 engine). Probably from the timing chain tensioner breaking up.

05-01-2019:

Report of timing chain failure of 2009 Audi A3 1.8T TFSI (EA888) at 60k miles in 2017. M echanic fixed it and all sweet until xmas eve 2018 when exactly the same thing happened at around 75mph: a bump and loss of power on the motorway EPC light came on. Used as 2nd car had only done 4k miles since first failure (had it had an oil service in that time?). Apparently Audi revised the tensioner in 2015, as well as the ther EA888 improvements in 2013.

12-10-2019:

Report of falure of EGR of 2012 (2008 - 2012 model) Audi A3 1.6TDI at 33,500 miles. Car serviced every year and NOx emissions fix carried out in March 2017. Unfortunately this puts it outside the 2 year 'Rebuilding Trust' warranty on components such as injectors and EGRs that could be affected by the fix, and the 1.6TDI was well known for EGR failure long before the Emissions scandal. Audi has said that there is nothing it will do in regards to replacing the EGR valve for free or a gesture of goodwill towards the £1,300 price quoted to do the work.

45 dated faults recorded since January 2011.