Every 2012 Audi A3 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 19V862000
Apr 12, 2019Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- Volkswagen 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.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
Full recall details for 19V862000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 18V082000
Jan 30, 2018Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- Volkswagen 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.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Full recall details for 18V082000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V079000
Oct 2, 2016Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- Volkswagen 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.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Full recall details for 16V079000 →Fuel System, Diesel · NHTSA 11V490000
Mar 10, 2011Fuel System, Diesel
- Problem
- VOLKSWAGEN 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.
- Risk
- DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
- Fix
- VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Full recall details for 11V490000 →
2012 Audi A3 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Audi A3, reporting 1 crashes, 2 fires. Audi has issued at least 882 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Air Bags31
- Electrical System6
- Exterior Lighting5
- Fuel/Propulsion System4
- Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (312)
- Electrical System (157)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (140)
- Steering (65)
- Engine (63)
- Fuel System, Gasoline (58)
Read Audi A3 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2012 Audi A3
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 2 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
PE11023Opened Aug 2, 2011Closed Dec 2, 2011
- High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
EA11003Opened Feb 7, 2011Closed Mar 27, 2015
What people reported
Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Audi A3. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Crash
“I HAVE HAD A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IT REPLACED AT AUDI SINCE 2016, I HAVE SENT EMAILS TO THE GENERAL MANAGER AND THEY KEPT SAYING "THEY DO NOT HAVE THE AIRBAGS IN STOCK". I HAVE TRIED ANOTHER AUID AND GERT THE SAME ANSWER.”
2012 AUDI A3Dec 8, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11156978
Fire
“WHILE DRIVING MY LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY GO OUT BOTH DURING DAY AND NIGHT. DASH WARNING WOULD BE BULB OUT NEEDING REPLACING BUT NOTHING WAS EVER WRONG WITH THE BULBS OR TURN SIGNALS. ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT AND WARNING WOULD GO AWAY ON IT'S OWN OR AFTER CAR RESTARTED.”
2012 AUDI A3Nov 13, 2015
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10790335
Fire
“THE F16 FUSE WHICH IS RECALLED ON THE VW SIDE MELTED, CAUSING THE SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT. THE DEALER ON TOP IF THIS REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE, AND WILL NOT PROPERLY FIX THE CAR.”
2012 AUDI A3Feb 10, 2015
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10682609
“The tail light bulbs melts plastic and can cause fire. My light indicator came on. When I checked the bulb, the internal structure was melted. I ordered exact model from a junk yard. When I received, I noticed it had the same issue and the internal structure was melting from heat of light bulb.”
2012 AUDI A3Jun 11, 2022
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11468825
“air bag came on in dash. even though the air bag was recalled and fixed by dealer”
2012 AUDI A3Jan 4, 2022
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11446150
Check your A3 by VIN
Not every 2012 Audi A3 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Audi dealer.
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