Does the 2008 Audi A3 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Audi A3, the most recent reported on January 30, 2018 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Audi A3?

Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (24 complaints), followed by power train (13).

How many 2008 Audi A3 complaints mention a crash or fire?

2 of 43 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2008 Audi A3 recalls and problems

3 recalls and 43 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Audi A3.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2008 Audi A3 recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 18V082000 · reported January 30, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 162,782 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 16V079000 · reported February 10, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 151,767 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly

NHTSA campaign 09V377000 · reported September 30, 2009 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · 10,200 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2010 audi a3, tt, and tt roadster passenger vehicles manufactured between september 29, 2005 and august 26, 2009. The closing force of an internal spring of the fuel tank ventilation valve is not adequate enough to hold the valve closed under extreme driving conditions possibly allowing fuel to leak.
The risk: In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire could occur.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and audi dealers will replace the fuel tank ventilation valve with an improved valve free of charge. The safety recall began on november 16, 2009. Owners may contact audi at 1-800-253-2834.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags24
Power train13
Engine and engine cooling2
Electrical system1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Structure1
Suspension1
Tires1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Dec 2, 2019 · Electrical system · 154,000 miles
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE. MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THE CODE P0171 THAT READS AS THE DIAGNOSTIC DOES NOT CORRELATE WITH MY CAR AS MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PCV VALVE. THEY HAVE INSPECTED THE CAR TO LOOK FOR SIMILAR ISSUES AND HAVE FOUND NONE. YET THE CHECK…

Jun 28, 2019 · Structure · 110,000 miles
EXCESSIVE REAR SUBFRAME CORROSION THAT ISN'T BEING COVERED BY A 12 YEAR ANTI-CORROSION WARRANTY. THE SAFETY ISSUE STEMS FROM; A, A PROPER ALIGNMENT ISN'T POSSIBLE, B THE REAR SUBFRAME IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE REAR GEOMETRY OF THE VEHICLE, WHEELS, BRAKES AND SUSPENSION.

Jun 28, 2019 · Air bags · 100,000 miles
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…

Nov 15, 2018 · Air bags · 89,000 miles
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…

Oct 12, 2018 · 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, [phone…

A3 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2005	1	0	0	0
2006	4	123	3	0
2007	3	52	0	0
2008	3	43	2	0
2009	5	47	5	0
2010	5	50	1	0
2011	4	43	0	1

Across all years, the 2006 A3 has the most complaints (123). All Audi A3 years →

Questions

Does the 2008 Audi A3 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Audi A3, the most recent reported on January 30, 2018 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Audi A3?: Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (24 complaints), followed by power train (13).
How many 2008 Audi A3 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 2 of 43 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received December 2, 2019.