Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30–25K
925–50K
650–75K
575–100K
2100–150K
0150K+
25 reports with mileage · 18 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
43 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2016
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.....UPD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.....UPDATED 02/06/17 *BF UPDATED 09/08/2017 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10934722
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2016
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION IF 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 EX…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION IF 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. UPDATED 12/01/16*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10909986
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA ODI #10901954
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL. NO REMEDY AVAILABLE APPARENTLY.
NHTSA ODI #10901953
100,000 miles · Aug 5, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA AIRBAG I AM WRITING TO EXPRESS MY GREAT CONCERN ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY LETHAL ISSUE WITH MY CAR. THIS RECALL IS OPEN SINCE FEBRUARY 2016 AND YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RECTIFY THIS. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE A POTENTIALLY LETHALLY HARMFUL VEHICLE OVER THE LACK OF ABILITY BY THE MANUFACTURER TO REMEDY THE AIRBAG INFLATOR. I…
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TAKATA AIRBAG I AM WRITING TO EXPRESS MY GREAT CONCERN ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY LETHAL ISSUE WITH MY CAR. THIS RECALL IS OPEN SINCE FEBRUARY 2016 AND YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RECTIFY THIS. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE A POTENTIALLY LETHALLY HARMFUL VEHICLE OVER THE LACK OF ABILITY BY THE MANUFACTURER TO REMEDY THE AIRBAG INFLATOR. I UNDERSTAND THE INVOLVED CONCERNS OF THE SURVIVABILITY OF TAKATA - HOWEVER MY PERSONAL LIFE COMES BEFORE THE ECONOMIC CONCERN OF THE CAR MANUFACTURER AND ITS SUPPLIERS.
NHTSA ODI #10893429
40,000 miles · Jun 29, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL. A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN FEBRUARY 2016 FOR MY VEHICLE. I WAS NOTIFIED BY AUDI OF THE RECALL IN APRIL. I CONTACTED THE DEALER THEN AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED AUDI WEST HOUSTON AGAIN ON JUNE 27, 2016 AND WAS TOLD THE ONLY REMEDY TO ME WAS A DISCOUNT ON A NEW CAR. I WAS TOLD THIS BY A S…
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TAKATA RECALL. A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN FEBRUARY 2016 FOR MY VEHICLE. I WAS NOTIFIED BY AUDI OF THE RECALL IN APRIL. I CONTACTED THE DEALER THEN AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED AUDI WEST HOUSTON AGAIN ON JUNE 27, 2016 AND WAS TOLD THE ONLY REMEDY TO ME WAS A DISCOUNT ON A NEW CAR. I WAS TOLD THIS BY A SALESMAN AND BY THE GENERAL SALES MANAGER. I CONTACTED AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE ON JUNE 29, 2016, AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THEY SAID I COULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR SINCE NO AUDI OR VW HAD EXPERIENCED AN AIR-BAG FAILURE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE IT REPAIRED. I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT THAT AUDI HAS NOT REPAIRED A SINGLE VEHICLE UNDER THIS RECALL NOR CAN THEY ESTIMATE WHEN THEY WILL BEGIN REPAIRING THESE VEHICLES. WHY DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED IN AN AUDI/VW BEFORE THEY ARE FORCED TO PROVIDE REPAIRS OR ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION. THEIR APPROACH SEEMS TO BE TO "WAIT IT OUT" AND HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL JUST BE FORCED TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THEM UNDER AN "INCENTIVE" PROGRAM THAT IS COMPLETELY INADEQUATE. I DON'T KNOW WHY I SHOULD BE FORCED TO BUY ANOTHER AUDI SIMPLY TO AVOID DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I WOULD RATHER HAVE THEM DISABLE THE AIRBAG THAN TAKE THE CHANCE THAT IT EXPLODES.
NHTSA ODI #10881408
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2016
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE …
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10862647
50,100 miles · Dec 2, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System
I WAS AT THE TAIL END OF A 400 MILE TRIP-ALL FREEWAY DRIVING. AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY, THE CAR WAS SLOWLY LOSING POWER. THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT CAME ON. CAR STALLED AFTER 1/2 MILE. I TRIED TO RESTART IT. IT WOULD NOT START. THE GLOW PLUG AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WERE ON. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO FIND THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP SEND M…
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I WAS AT THE TAIL END OF A 400 MILE TRIP-ALL FREEWAY DRIVING. AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY, THE CAR WAS SLOWLY LOSING POWER. THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT CAME ON. CAR STALLED AFTER 1/2 MILE. I TRIED TO RESTART IT. IT WOULD NOT START. THE GLOW PLUG AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WERE ON. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO FIND THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP SEND METAL INTO MY FUEL SYSTEM AND ENGINE. I HAVE JUST OVER 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE REPAIR IS COVERED DUE TO THE FAULTY PART. AUDI SHOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK BECAUSE THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. INSTEAD OF DOING A RECALL, THEY ALLOWED THE CAR TO BE DRIVEN AND NOW MY ENGINE IS AFFECTED. I TRIED TO ARRANGE A TRADE-IN AT A LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY OFFERED ME LOW BLUE BOOK MINUS $10,000. MY CAR IS NOT ONLY UNDESIRABLE, BUT WORTHLESS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE SERVICE VEHICLE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT A FUSE PANEL HAD OVERHEATED AND MELTED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FUEL LEAKING…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE SERVICE VEHICLE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT A FUSE PANEL HAD OVERHEATED AND MELTED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FUEL LEAKING WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10780706
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2015
Structure
I RECENTLY STARTED TO USE THE BACK PART OF THE CAR, NEVER HAD USED IT BEFORE HAD ANOTHER CAR FOR DOGS AND BIKES. THE AREA WHERE THE SPARE TIRE IS MADE OUT OF CARDBOARD, WILL NOT HOLD 125 LAB DOG OR A BIKE. WENT TO DEALER SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PIECE AND SPLIT THE COST. PIECE IS NOT BROKEN, 1/2 THE CAR IS NOT USABLE, IF I PU…
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I RECENTLY STARTED TO USE THE BACK PART OF THE CAR, NEVER HAD USED IT BEFORE HAD ANOTHER CAR FOR DOGS AND BIKES. THE AREA WHERE THE SPARE TIRE IS MADE OUT OF CARDBOARD, WILL NOT HOLD 125 LAB DOG OR A BIKE. WENT TO DEALER SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PIECE AND SPLIT THE COST. PIECE IS NOT BROKEN, 1/2 THE CAR IS NOT USABLE, IF I PUT MY 125 LAB BACK THERE SHE WOULD FALL INTO THE SPARE TIRE. AUDI DOES NOT THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM. IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE KIDS, BIKE OR DOGS BACK THERE. UNSAFE. I HAVE BEEN EMAILING AUDI CORPORATE AND DEALER- LOTS OF TALK AND NO SOLUTIONS. THE CAR IS WONDERFUL, THEY JUST FELL ASLEEP WHEN THEY MADE THE TRUNK AREA. DANGEROUS!! *TR
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
PE11023 · Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
Opened Aug 2, 2011 · Closed Dec 2, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Diesel
By letter dated October 3, 2011, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address a defect in approximately 168,275 model year (MY) 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Golf, and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with the 2.0L TDI Common Rail Clean Diesel engine (NHTSA Recall No. 11V-490).The recalled Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen vehicles were built from May 2008 through September 2011, the Golf vehicles were built from May 2009 through September 2011, and the Audi A3 vehicles were built from September 2009 through September 2011.According to Volkswagen, in U.S. applications of the above cited TDI vehicles including engine codes CJAA and CBEA, 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 on the fuel line which a small number of parts (based on the statistic spread of line strength) cannot withstand over its lifetime.As a contributing factor, VW indicated that a supplier used tube material with scratch marks from a grinding process during certain production periods.Lines manufactured in these periods were installed in vehicles produced in the following 10 months:December 2008, January-February 2009, October 2009, March-April 2010 and September-December 2010.Injector lines using this material exhibit a significantly higher failure rate.Dealers will replace injector line #2 in all vehicles built in these months.In addition, as a precautionary measure, all recalled vehicles will have vibration dampers installed on all four fuel injector lines.Analysis of NHTSA complaints, VW complaints, VW field reports and warranty claims found allegations of injector line leakage in 443 subject vehicles.The leaking line was not identified in 62 of the vehicles.For the 381 that did provide information about which injector lines were leaking and/or replaced, 358 (94%) involved an injector line #2 leak/repair.Almost three-quarters of the injector line #2 leak/repair incident vehicles were built in the 10 months identified by VW, which accounted for approximately one-quarter of the recalled vehicles.The failure rate for injector line #2 in vehicles built in the 10 months affected by the supplier line scratching issue is 6.0 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV).The failure rate for injector line #2 in other production months of recalled vehicles is 0.8 IPTV.The leak/repair rates for the other injector lines are all well under 1 IPTV.The action taken by Volkswagen is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation. The agency will continue to monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Diesel
The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.
Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump
The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.
2011 Audi A3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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