FaultScore

2008 Audi A3 airbag problems

24 of the 46 complaints about the 2008 Audi A3 are about the airbag system — 52% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 87,000 miles.

F

24

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 24 100.0%

Airbags across every Audi A3 year

2006 56 17.3%
2007 32 9.9%
2008 24 7.4%
2009 22 6.8%
2010 13 4.0%
2011 20 6.2%
2012 31 9.6%
2013 10 3.1%
2015 46 14.2%
2016 36 11.1%
2017 16 5.0%
2018 17 5.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 100,000 miles Reedsville, PA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED NOTICE IN JANUARY OF 2019 THAT MY VEHICLE WAS HAVING A SECOND RECALL ON THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. I IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP; I COULD NOT GET THROUGH. I THEN CONTACTED AUDI CORPORATE, WHO SAID THEY LEFT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIOP MESSAGES ON MY BEHALF; AGAIN NO RESPONSE. AFTER CALLING MULTIPLE OTHER DEALERSHIPS IN MY STATE, ONE A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR FROM ME ACTUALLY REPLIED TO MY MESSAGES. IT TOOK UNTIL JUNE TO GET THIS RECALL COMPLETED. NEITHER AUDI USA NOR IT'S LOCAL DEALERS SEEM TO CARE ABOUT PERFORMING A SAFETY RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER.

NHTSA complaint #11223096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Santa Monica, CA

AIR BAGS

HI, I HAVE BEEN GETTING EMAILS FROM AUDI USA ABOUT N AIRBAG RECALL FOR MY AUDI A3 BUT EVERYTIME I CALL MY AUDI DEALERSHIP IN SANTA MONICA, CA THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE AT THE STORE TO TRY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, I TOLD THEM TO CALL WHEN THEY HAVE IT AND IT HAS BEEN THREE MONTHS AND THEY STILL DON'T HAVE IT. I BOUGHT MY CAR THERE AND I GUESS THEIR COSTUMER SAFETY IS NOT IMPORTANT WHEN THEY HAVE TO DO IT FOR FREE. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #11151819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Christiansburg, VA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI ROANOKE (LOCATED AT 2006 PETERS CREEK RD, ROANOKE, VA 24017, (540) 562-0099), BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11139984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Plainfield, IL

AIR BAGS

I KEEP GETTING RECALL NOTICES, MONTH AFTER MONTH, FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. I HAD THE INTERIM REPAIR DONE, AND HAVE CALLED NOW AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE YET. NOW I GET A NOTICE THAT SAYS TO REPAIR IMMEDIATELY EVEN IF AN INTERIM REPAIR WAS RECENTLY DONE. HOW DO I GET THIS DONE? I KEEP CALLING AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THERE IS NO PARTS AVAILABLE YET. MY SON IS DRIVING THIS CAR NOW IN SPRINGFIELD, IL AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT HIS SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint #11140073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Francisco, CA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL I AM STILL RECEIVING NOTICES BY MAIL BUT NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER AND THEY STILL DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO REPLACE MY AIRBAG. HOW MUCH LONGER CAN WAIT WITHOUT PUTTING MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN DANGER. THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #11111481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moorpark, CA

AIR BAGS

"TAKATA RECALL" ON MARCH 18, 2017, I WENT IN TO AUDI CALABASAS AND SPOKE WITH SCOTT GOMEZ, SERVICE ADVISOR, AND THE MANAGER ON DUTY THAT DAY, TO INQUIRE ON HAVING MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG REPLACE IN RESPONSE TO THE MANUFACTURER SAFETY RECALL ISSUED. HIS RESPONSE WAS TO TRY BACK LATER. HE SAID HE DID NOT EXPECT FOR ANY BAGS TO BE AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. HE DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED. I SAID I WAS AFRAID OF THE DANGER OF IT GOING OFF IN A MINOR FENDER BENDER AND HE SAID THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF AUDI VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SUCH MAL-FUNCTIONS. I ASKED IF HE WAS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE LIABILITY SHOULD ONE SUCH ACCIDENT OCCUR INVOLVING THE RECALLED AIRBAG. HIS RESPONSE WAS CHILLING. HE SAID IT WOULD NOT BE AUDI'S FAULT. IT WOULD BE THE MANUFACTURER OF THE AIRBAG'S LIABILITY.

NHTSA complaint #11044485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bellingham, WA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIRBAG- I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG THAT IS EXACTLY THE AIRBAG THAT HAS PROBLEMS. MY FIRST LETTER WAS FEB. 2016 AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FULLY RESOLVED AT THIS TIME AUG.24, 2017. I WANT A NEW AIRBAG THAT WILL SAVE MY LIFE, NOT TAKE IT ASAP!

NHTSA complaint #11019453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Francisco, CA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL DEAR SIR / MADAM, I WOULD LIKE TO INQUIRE ABOUT WHY IT IS TAKING OVER 4 MONTHS TO HAVE THE NEW PARTS DELIVERED TO MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER IN SAN FRANCISCO CA. THE RECALL 16V079 SEEMS PRETTY SERIOUS AS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED BY THIS DEFECT. I HAVE CALLED AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY UPDATES OR DATE. THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN ASSIST OR WHAT I CAN DO TO ACCELERATE THIS PROCESS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10967390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simpsonville, SC

AIR BAGS

"TAKATA RECALL" RECALL I RECEIVED IF FROM FEBRUARY 2016 (OVER 1 YEAR!!!) AND I STILL DO NOT EVEN HAVE AN INFORMATION WHEN IT IS PLANNED TO BE FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10966593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Half Moon BAY, CA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. SAFETY RECALL 69N2 - TAKATA PSDI-5 DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG. I RECEIVED NOTICE OF THIS RECALL IN APRIL, 2016. NEARLY 11 MONTHS LATER AND AUDI'S POSITION IS STILL THAT "REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE" FOR MY VEHICLE. THE INACTION BY AUDI AND THE LACK OF ENFORCEMENT BY NHTSA IS UNACCEPTABLE, AND PLACES MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IN CONTINUING DANGER. PLEASE WORK WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS TO BRING A CIVIL ACTION AGAINST AUDI TO FORCE COMPLIANCE WITH THE RECALL. AUDI'S POSITION, THAT THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT AIRBAG INFLATORS, IS CLEARLY FALSE, AS AUDI CONTINUES TO SELL NEW VEHICLES IN THE US EQUIPPED WITH INFLATORS. I SUGGEST THAT NHTSA AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SEEK AN INJUNCTION BARRING AUDI FROM SELLING ANY NEW VEHICLES IN THE US UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THEY HAVE FULLY COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL, AND REPLACED ALL THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG INFLATORS WITH REPLACEMENT INFLATORS THAT DO NOT UTILIZE AMMONIUM NITRATE PROPELLANTS.

NHTSA complaint #10957428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Francisco, CA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10947039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Francisco, CA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL - AUDI AND TAKATA HAS NOT PROVIDED ME WITH AN OPTION TO EITHER REPAIR MY CAR OR BUY BACK MY CAR. MY WIFE IS PREGNANT AND THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE AND TO HAVE AUDI SAY "DRIVE CAREFULLY AND WAIT" IS UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10947035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Torrance, CA

AIR BAGS

I WAS FIRST NOTIFIED OF THE AIR BAG RECALL IN FEBRUARY 2016. AFTER WAITING ALMOST A YEAR, AUDI HAS NO IDEA WHEN MY AIR BAG WILL BE REPLACED. MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND UNSAFE TO SELL TO ANOTHER PARTY. I NEED WAITING ONE YEAR IS PLENTY OF TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10945181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Denver, CO

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL: MY AUDI IS ON THE RECALL LIST BUT AUDI HAS NO FIX AVAILABLE AND CAN'T TELL ME WHEN THEY WILL. THEY OFFER TO GIVE ME A BREAK ON A NEW CAR. I DON'T WANT ANOTHER AUDI. I AM MEANWHILE TRYING TO SELL THE AUDI THAT I DO HAVE AND THIS UNREMEDIED RECALL ISSUE IS MAKING THAT IMPOSSIBLE. ALSO, I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. I SAW THE RECALL INFORMATION ON A CARFAX REPORT.

NHTSA complaint #10936356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simpsonville, SC

AIR BAGS

"TAKATA RECALL" RECALL IS OUT SINCE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY 2016; I RECEIVED RECALL INFO IN APRIL 2016; UNTIL TODAY (9 MONTHS) THERE IS STILL NOT EVEN A DATE FOR REMEDY AVAILABLE. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND AUDI IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTIONS TO REDUCE/AVOID THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY. SOUTH CAROLINA IS CLIMATEWISE HIGH-RISK AREA, BUT NOTHING HAPPENS.

NHTSA complaint #10928848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa FE, NM

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. BEEN WAITING 8 MONTHS FOR THIS PART TO BE REPLACED AND I WANT TO KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE?

NHTSA complaint #10918619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Berkeley, CA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED THE ATTACHED NOTICE FROM AUDI OF AMERICA, INC., DATED APRIL 2016, AND STATING THAT MY VEHICLE CONTAINS A TAKATA FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR THAT "COULD POTENTIALLY RUPTURE IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS ARE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY. IN THE EVENT OF AN INFLATOR RUPTURE, METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIRBAG CUSHION MATERIAL, WHICH MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS." THE NOTICE STATES THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I RECENTLY SERVICED MY CAR, AND AGAIN THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I CALLED AUDI USA TODAY AND THEY SAID THAT TAKATA HAS NOT MADE REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME AND THEY HAVE NO TIMELINE FOR SUPPLYING THE PARTS. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT A CRITICAL PIECE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN MY VEHICLE COULD ITSELF CAUSE ME OR MY PASSENGERS "SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH." I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF SOMEONE WOULD PLEASE ADVISE WHEN THESE REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THIS CRITICAL REPAIR. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10914294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Ysidro, CA

AIR BAGS

WHEN ASKING FOR A RECALL REPAIR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THIS IS THE MESSAGE I RECEIVED: GOOD AFTERNOON, "WE RECEIVED YOUR INQUIRY TO SETUP AN APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR AUDI A3 FOR THE AIRBAG CAMPAIGN. UNFORTUNATELY, PARTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR US TO DO THE REPAIR. YOU WILL BE RECEIVING A SECOND LETTER FROM AUDI SOMETIME FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR ON WHEN THE REPAIRS CAN BE DONE. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE LET US KNOW. THANKS," IS THIS AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER? I DON'T THINK SO.

NHTSA complaint #10914122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Fransisco, CA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10910783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TN

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10908674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. WHEN WILL THIS BE ADDRESSED FOR MY VEHICLE?

NHTSA complaint #10895735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hartly, DE

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ...UPDATED 10/11/16 *BF UPDATED 10/13/16.

NHTSA complaint #10893268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,000 miles Thousand Oaks, CA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIR BAG COMMUNICATION FROM AUDI INDICATES A RECALL IS IN PROGRESS BUT ACCORDING TO THEIR WEBSITE THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS, OR SCHEDULE DATE TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE CAR. THEY SHOULD MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT FOR ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION WHILE SORTING OUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, AND DANGEROUS. WHO WANTS TO USE A DANGEROUS CAR?

NHTSA complaint #10862786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles OLD Fort, TN Crash

AIR BAGS

WAS COMING FROM WORK JUST HAD GOTTEN ON THE INTERSTATE . MY SPEED WAS 75 MILES A HOUR A DEAR HIT MY CAR THAT KNOCKED THE DEAR AROUND 20 FEET AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT . IT PUSHED THE RADIATOR INTO THE MOTOR AND ALL WAS PUSHED INTO THE FRONT TIRE. TORE THE MIRROR FROM THE DRIVERS DOOR DAMAGE ALL DOWN THE DRIVERS SIDE . NO MORE HEADLIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE ALL WAS GONE . NOW THE QUESTION IS WHY DIDN'T THE AIRBAG WORK ? IT DIDN'T DEPLOY WITH THIS IMPACT SO WHAT HAS TO HAPPENED FOR THE AIRBAGS TO WORK ? ...UPDATED 12/11/14

NHTSA complaint #10661231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2008 Audi A3 problems

← Full 2008 Audi A3 report