2003 AUDI A3

0 recalls — 2 complaints — 58 TSBs

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

2 total complaints

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
POWER TRAIN	1
AIR BAGS	1

Incident date: May 9, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS) AND THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED... Read more

Incident date: Jan 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, THE GEAR SHIFTER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DISPLAYING ERRONEOUS READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TO... Read more

Technical Service Bulletins — 2003 AUDI A3

58 manufacturer communications from 45 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	9
118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE	5
350000 EQUIPMENT	4
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	3
100000 POWER TRAIN	3
200000 WHEELS	3
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	3
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.

160000 STRUCTURE

This informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety Certification Labels, etc.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety Certification Labels, etc.

102650 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:GEARS

This informational bulletin states to not replace parts for the beveling groove as it is normal.

061540 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:OIL COOLER

This informational bulletin states to not replace parts for the beveling groove as it is normal.

073200 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

This bulletin contains instructions for when to add gasoline additives for cleaning the injectors.

120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime running lights, and/or third brake light l

350000 EQUIPMENT

This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.

060000 ENGINE (PWS)

This informational bulletin contains all the the Audi Oil Quality Standards that should be used when doing an oil change.

350000 EQUIPMENT

Due to increasing requests for high voltage personal protective equipment (HVE PPE) for dealer technicians working with high voltage vehicles (Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid, Electric Vehicle), the Volkswagen Tools and Equipment Team has identified

200000 WHEELS

This information TSB provides information regarding the correct way to torque adjust a wheel bolt.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This circular contains important information regarding A3 e-tron tooling. Information will be covered in the subsequent sections depending on the dealership's current status.

060000 ENGINE (PWS)

AUDI: ENGINE, ON SOME VEHICLES, WOULD RUN IRREGULARLY OR HAVE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON OR POSSIBLE FILTER ELEMENT FOR CAMSHAFT ADJUSTMENT VALVE CAN LOOSEN AND IN OIL CIRCUIT, THERE IS NO DAMAGE FROM LOOSENED PARTICLES. MODEL AL

353600 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT

High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet.

350000 EQUIPMENT

High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet.

353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

High quality media files (video and sound) are now integrated into technical service bulletins on a case-by-case basis. Media files can now be viewed on any smartphone or tablet.

200000 WHEELS

Tightening wheel bolts

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Audi Elsa Newsletter

061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

A DTC with the description ?Invalid Data Record? is stored after an ECU has been replaced or updated.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Technical bulletins and updates

353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) details the general process for carrying out a Software Version Management (SVM) software update for any TSB or Update.

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) details the general process for carrying out a Software Version Management (SVM) software update for any TSB or Update.

280100 BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) details the general process for carrying out a Software Version Management (SVM) software update for any TSB or Update.

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Due to new Minnesota state regulations regarding biofuels, biodiesel blends of B5 or less may not be available in the State of Minnesota.

062000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Idenifying and mixing factory fill engine coolants

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

ElsaPro Software update and technical bulletins

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

ElsaPro Software update and technical bulletins

100000 POWER TRAIN

Vehicle lacks power or will not move after stop due to simultaneous depressing of the brake and accelerator pedals

100000 POWER TRAIN

This condition may be caused when the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are depressed simultaneously. Drivers who drive with their left foot resting on the brake pedal are prone to experience this condition. With the introduction of El

252100 ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

100000 POWER TRAIN

Vehicle lacks power or will not move after stop due to simultaneous depressing of the brake and accelerator pedals

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Google Maps Street View (NVLW))

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

AUDI: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, USE CALIBRATED TORQUE WRENCH AND NOT TORQUE STICKS, TORQUE EXTENSION BARS AND IMPACT GUNS/WRENCHES NOT APPROVED FOR USAGE ON WHEEL BOLTS BY MANUFACTURER, THAT CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO BRAKE, STEERING WHEEL, HUB. MODE

200000 WHEELS

Tightening wheel bolts

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Audi Elsa Newsletter

280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION

If the vehicle?s engine experienced a serious mechanical problem, it is possible that small pieces of metal debris resulting from the mechanical problem may have become deposited in the intake manifold, air intake hoses, exhaust manifolds,

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Audi Elsa Newsletter

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Audi Elsa Newsletter

070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The use of contaminated gasoline or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or more conditions.

070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The use of contaminated gasoline or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or more conditions.

070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The use of contaminated gasoline or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or more conditions.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants.

030000 BRAKES (PWS)

This condition may be caused when the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are depressed simultaneously. Drivers who consciously or unconsciously drive with their left foot resting on the brake pedal are prone to experience this condition.

180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AUDI: SOME VEHICLES MAY LACK POWER OR WILL NOT MOVE AFTER STOP DUE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS. *JS

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Discontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants.

350000 EQUIPMENT

VWGoA is pleased to inform you of the release and automatic delivery of new Required Special Tools used on Audi vehicles. Starting March 25, 2013, every Audi dealer will be shipped one AT-348 Special Tool Package, Freight F.O.B. Snap-On OEM

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine oils that meet Audi Oil Quality Standards.

061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

AUDI: GASOLINE ENGINE VEHICLES; INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IGNITION COILS. VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION MAY HAVE IGNITION COILS THAT COULD MALFUNCTION UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. ADDED FINAL MAILING PHASE-8/10 VIN INFORMATION.

116000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

AUDI: (REVISED) VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION MAY HAVE IGNITION COILS THAT COULD MALFUNCTION UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) WILL ILLUMINATE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE

061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

116000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

AUDI: GASOLINE ENGINE VEHICLES INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IGNITION COILS. VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION MAY HAVE IGNITION COILS THAT COULD MALFUNCTION UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. (ADDED PHASE 7-APRIL 10 VIN INFORMATION).MALFUNCTI

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

AUDI: SOFTWARE VERSION MANAGEMENT (SVM) OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. DETAILING THE GENERAL PROCESS FOR CARRYING OUT A SOFTWARE VERSION MANAGEMENT (SVM) SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR ANY TSB OR REQUIRED VEHICLE UPDATE (RVU). TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

AUDI: SOFTWARE VERSION MANAGEMENT (SVM), OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. SVM IS A PROCESS TO UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN FLASHABLE (RE-PROGRAMMABLE) CONTROL MODULES AND/OR TO DOCUMENT CHANGES IN SOFTWARE LEVELS IN AUDI VEHICLES. THIS SYSTEM USES T

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

AUDI: SOFTWARE VERSION MANAGEMENT(SVM) OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. ITS A PROCESS TO UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN FLASHABLE (REPROGRAMMABLE) CONTROL MODULES AND/OR TO DOCUMENT CHANGES IN SOFTWARE LEVELS IN ALL AUDI VEHICLES. *PE

203000 WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

AUDI: WHEEL BOLTS REQUIRE TORQUE ADJUSTMENT. TORQUE STICKS AND TORQUE EXTENSION BARS ARE NOT APPROVED BY AUDI OF AMERICA, INC. AND SHOULD NOT BE USED TO APPLY TORQUE TO WHEEL BOLTS. ALL AUDI MODELS INCLUDED. *PE

121000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHT AIMING, USING HELLA UNIVERSAL BEAMSETTER. *KB

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

LOSES POWER OR WILL NOT MOVE AFTER STOP. *KB

NHTSA Safety Investigations — AUDI A3

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE — Closed — Model Year: 2010

High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP)

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and Volkswagen (VW) have received a total of 160 complaints and field reports alleging incidents of engine stall and/or loss of power that appear to be related to high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen... Jetta and MY 2010 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with TDI clean diesel engines.Approximately half of the reports indicate that the failure resulted in an engine stall incident, with many of these alleging stall incidents at highway speeds in traffic with no restart.There has been one minor crash alleged to have resulted from HPFP failure in the subject vehicles.In response to ODI's information request for PE10-034, VW indicated that it had found no defect related to motor vehicle safety with relation to the TDI Clean Diesel fuel system at issue in this investigation and attributed problems with HPFP failure to operation with gasoline contaminated diesel fuel.Volkswagen stated that even a small amount of gasoline in the diesel fuel may disrupt the necessary lubrication required and may cause the HPFP to fail.In response to concerns that fuel contamination was the major cause of HPFP and related fuel system failures, VW issued a Technical Service Bulletin in May 2010 (VW TB V011011 2023624 and Audi TB A011008 2023360-1), with instructions to inspect the diesel fuel for vehicles requiring fuel system service that have symptoms associated with HPFP failure.The bulletin states that fuel system damage incurred by use of fuel not complying to ASTM-D-975 Grade 2 S15 (B5 or less biodiesel content) standards will not be covered under warranty. Volkswagen also provided information about 121 mis-fueling incidents reportedly acknowledged by consumers or dealers and test results for about 50 diesel fuel samples taken from complaint vehicles in late-August through early-October 2010.The mis-fueling incidents include about 20 reports involving incorrect fueling by dealer sales or service personnel and generally report symptoms such as rough running, stalling and/or no start within a few miles of refueling the vehicle with gasoline.Volkswagen indicated that the testing of fuel samples from complaint vehicles found that nearly 90 percent contained high amounts of gasoline.Volkswagen implemented design changes for the HPFP in May 2008, September 2009 and November 2010 to improve the robustness of the pump when used with poor quality fuel.ODI analysis of HPFP failures identified from all sources shows failure rates of 0.53% for MY 2009 vehicles and 0.11% for MY 2010 vehicles.This investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA11-003) to continue to investigate the issues with mis-fueling and HPFP design identified during the Preliminary Evaluation.Read more

PE — Closed — Model Year: 2010

VEHICLE STALL/LOSS MOTIVE POWER

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH FEATURE A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARBOX WITH TWO WET RUNNING CLUTCHES (DUAL CLUTCH) IN WHICH THE CLUTCH MECHANISM AND GEAR CHANGES ARE ELECTROHYDRAULICALLY OPERATED BY A MECHATRONIC CONTROL UNIT.THE DSG MECHATRONIC CO... NTROLLER INCLUDES EXTENSIVE SELF DIAGNOSTIC FUNCTIONS AND STRATEGIES TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION AND PREVENT SYSTEM/COMPONENT DAMAGE IN THE EVENT OF COMPONENT FAILURES OR HARSH OPERATING CONDITIONS.THE BASIC HIERARCHY OF FAULT MODES INCLUDES SOME THAT ONLY RESULT IN THE STORAGE OF A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) AND CAUSE NO LOSS OF FUNCTION, SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND REDUCE VEHICLE OPERATION TO A LIMP HOME MODE, AND SOME THAT STORE A DTC AND CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER (I.E., OPEN CLUTCH).THE DRIVER IS ALERTED TO THE LATTER TWO MODES BY THE DASH GEAR POSITION INDICATOR (PRNDS) FLASHING. ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT RESULTS IN INTERRUPTION OF MOTIVE POWER IS EXCESS GEARBOX TEMPERATURE.THE SYSTEM INITIALLY RESPONDS TO INCREASED GEARBOX TEMPERATURE BY RAMPING DOWN ENGINE TORQUE.IF THE TEMPERATURE KEEPS RISING THE MECHATRONIC UNIT RESPONDS BY OPENING THE CLUTCH.IN A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT SUBMITTED TO NHTSA ON AUGUST 20, 2009, VOLKSWAGEN DESCRIBED A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE WIRING HARNESSES OF THE DSG GEARBOX TEMPERATURE SENSORS USED IN APPROXIMATELY 16,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2009 AND 2010 VOLKSWAGEN (EOS, JETTA AND GTI) AND AUDI (A3 AND TT/TT ROADSTER) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DSG TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 2008 THROUGH AUGUST 2009 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 09V-333, VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. 37E3/S7 AND AUDI RECALL NO 37E4/J7). VOLKSWAGEN PROVIDED THIS DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT, THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DSG MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED BY THE CONNECTOR SUPPLIER DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD.WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL.IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH.IN ADDITION, THE DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.VOLKSWAGEN ESTIMATED THAT LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN THE DEFECT CONDITION. ODI IDENTIFIED 40 COMPLAINTS THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR DEFECT CONDITION DESCRIBED BY VOLKSWAGEN.VOLKSWAGEN RECEIVED 139 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE CONDITION, WITH 7 INVOLVING VEHICLES REPORTED TO ODI, RESULTING A 172 TOTAL COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLKSWAGEN.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVE THE MY 2009 AN 2010 VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL 09V-333. ODI ALSO IDENTIFIED COMPLAINTS OF HARSH/JERKY SHIFTING IN SOME VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES WITH DSG.VOLKSWAGEN ATTRIBUTED THIS CONDITION, WHICH TYPICALLY OCCURS AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, TO EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE BUSHINGS OF THE TWO SOLENOID VALVES IN THE MECHATRONIC UNIT THAT CONTROL CLUTCH OPERATION.VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE THIS CONDITION IS A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE THE CHANGES IN SHIFT QUALITY DEVELOP GRADUALLY OVER TIME, DO NOT CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND HAVE NOT RESULTED IN ANY FATALITIES, INJURIES OR SERIOUS CRASHES (THERE WERE THREE REPORTED PROPERTY DAMAGE INCIDENTS RESULTING IN MINOR BODY DAMAGE IN VERY LOW SPEED, PARKING MANEUVERS).VOLKSWAGEN ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM IN THE FIELD WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES THE REPLACEMENT OF POTENTIALLY AFFECTED MECHATRONIC UNITS AS WELLRead more

AUDI A3 — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the AUDI A3 across all model years (2005–2023).

72 Total Recalls

925 Total Complaints

2 Investigations

32 Reported Crashes

9 Reported Fires

0 Reported Deaths

AUDI A3 — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2025	0	4	View
2024	0	1	View
2023	2	7	View
2022	14	12	View
2020	5	18	View
2019	5	15	View
2018	3	46	View
2017	3	74	View
2016	4	111	View
2015	3	128	View
2013	3	25	View
2012	4	48	View
2011	4	51	View
2010	5	60	View
2009	6	66	View
2008	3	46	View
2007	3	63	View
2006	4	140	View
2005	1	0	View
2004	0	7	View
2003 (current)	0	2
2001	0	1	View

Other AUDI Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
A6	205	2,172	View
Q5	151	1,727	View
A8	138	357	View
Q7	134	1,343	View
A4	129	3,629	View
A7	120	209	View
S6	118	187	View
S3	111	122	View