2008 Audi A3 problems
The 2008 Audi A3 has 46 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (52%) concerns air bags. Next are transmission (22%) and drivetrain & axles (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 46 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 52% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 28,000 miles 28 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 9 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 6 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 28 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 28,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a crash. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 90% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2008 ranks 10th most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the Audi A3 with enough data (17 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving at highway speeds the transmission shifts into neutral loosing the ability to power the vehicle almost causing a multi-vehicle crash. The dealer reports that it is the s-tronic transmission control box causing the issue. The incident has happened twice now with the second time with a near miss almost causing a crash. This control module failed in our vehicle at 34,000 miles (estimate) covered under warranty and now again at 83,000 miles.
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 ?
Direct shift gearbox (DSG) transmission started jerking when starting from a stop. Second to first downshift would be severe with a loud "clunk" from the DSG. Went to dealer and vehicle was diagnosed with a faulty tcu(mechatronics module). Part is on backorder and will take over 1 month to get in. Was told that vehicle is okay to drive but with the uncertainty of reliable performance and potential damage to other transmission components I don't agree.
I have a 2008 audi a3 2.0t DSG. My problem is with the DSG. While sitting at a stoplight I will lift off the brake to go, the car will lurch forward and the transmission will disengage. I then must wait a few seconds for the transmission to re-engage. This can be a problem if there are people behind me. I have been nearly hit on a few occasions. This problem is random and the dealer service tech's have not been able to replicate it to their satisfaction. The car did not do this when I bought it brand new.
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.