Audi A3 recalls

Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Affected vehicles were originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Certain front airbags contain an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle.

Fix: Affected airbags will be be replaced. You can contact Audi's dedicated Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM.

56 vehicles · built 19 Oct 2005 to 26 Dec 2012

On imported Audi vehicles previously used in a warm climate zone and fitted with TAKATA driver airbag manufactured within a specific period it is possible that the gas generator housing may cause small metal parts to become dislodged from the housing and potentially injure the driver or a passenger.

Fix: As a precautionary safety measure it is necessary to replace the gas generator in the airbag unit on the driver side of the vehicle.

167 vehicles · built 29 Jun 2005 to 13 Nov 2012

On affected vehicles an electrical connector for the power supply for the fuse carrier in the interior of the vehicle may have not been installed correctly.

Fix: Check the electrical connection and secure if necessary.

104,162 vehicles · built 11 Mar 2020 to 27 May 2023

The restraining capability of the belt system for the front seats may be lower than intended in the event of an accident.�

Fix: As a precautionary safety measure it is necessary to replace both front seat belts. Advice is given�against transporting children on the front passenger seat until the seat belts have been replaced.�

174 vehicles · built 22 Sep 2021 to 11 Nov 2021

The bolted connection of the pull rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal may come loose resulting in a loss of all service braking ability.�

Fix: Vehicles are not to be driven and the bolted connection of the input rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal must be checked and if necessary retightened.

11 vehicles · built 24 Aug 2020 to 6 May 2021

The belt pulley for the camshaft adjuster may break or the bolts for the camshaft adjuster housing may come loose

Fix: The camshaft adjuster must be replaced on the affected vehicles

133 vehicles · built 2 Jan 2014 to 22 Sep 2014

The centre rear head restraint may not be to specification.

Fix: Check the head restraint and replace if necessary.

1,573 vehicles · built 14 Apr 2018 to 25 Jun 2018

The rear back rest head restraint mounting is not correctly welded.

Fix: Check and replace rear back rest frame if required.

147 vehicles · built 21 May 2018 to 3 Sep 2018

On vehicles with diesel engines and stop/start system the starter motor may be permanently activated because the return spring in the solenoid switch is bent or broken. If the permanent current supply to the starter motor is not noticed overheating of the component with local scorching damage and a vehicle fire is possible.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the solenoid switch.

5,208 vehicles · built 1 Mar 2011 to 30 Nov 2011

There is a possibility of a faulty weld on the gas generator. If the airbag is deployed there is a risk that parts could be projected into the cabin with risk of injury to the occupants.

Fix: On affected vehicles replace the front passenger air bag module with a correctly manufactured version.

6 vehicles · built 1 Jul 2014 to 15 Nov 2014

The hardening process for the rear wheel bearing housings may not have been correctly performed. In the worst case this could lead to a fractured housing. Should a fractured housing occur there would be abnormal noises bad tyre wear and a theoretical possibility of wheel loss.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the right and left rear wheel bearing housings.

30 vehicles · built 1 Aug 2017 to 31 Aug 2017

On vehicles with ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. This may cause failure of the ABS/ESC system.

Fix: On affected vehicles install new software. Where necessary a new ABS/ESC control unit will be fitted.

38,548 vehicles · built 1 May 2008 to 31 May 2009

On 2.0l Common Rail engines of a limited production period faulty material can cause leaks on the high pressure pipes during the service life of the vehicle.

Fix: Fitting of anti-vibration balance weights must be fitted on the high-pressure pipes.

1,825 vehicles · built 1 Jan 2008 to 15 Dec 2011

In rare cases an incorrect interpretation of the clutch temperature can occur which results in the clutch opening unexpectedly with loss of drive.

Fix: Recall affected vehicles and update/reprogramme gearbox control unit.

1,454 vehicles · built 1 Sep 2008 to 31 Aug 2009

The gas required to inflate the curtain airbag can escape gradually through a defective welded seam on the gas generator. In this instance the curtain airbag would fail to inflate in a collision.

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the curtain airbag replaced.

92 vehicles · built 1 Jun 2005 to 31 Jul 2005

The two mass flywheel can become damaged because of a non-optimally designed through-flow restrictor in the clutch pressure pipe. This can lead to a total failure of the flywheel and under unfavourable circumstances to a vehicle fire.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and establish the manufacturer of the two mass flywheel. Where necessary replace the flywheel and the breather of the clutch pressure pipe.

• A3: 8,586 vehicles · built 1 Dec 2003 to 30 Jun 2003
• A3: 8,586 vehicles · built 1 Dec 2003 to 30 Jun 2005
• A3: 8,586 vehicles · built 1 Dec 2003 to 1 Jun 2005

It is advised that on some vehicles fitted with a 3 and 4 cylinder pump injector engine the bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break due to a bolt production fault. As a result the pump housing will not be tight and a diesel fuel leak may occur.

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the pump checked for being of a certain manufacture. If found to be within the affected range the pump housing cover bolts will be replaced.

14,820 vehicles · built 1 Mar 2004 to 31 Aug 2004

Shatter cracks may occur on the vacuum pipe to the brake servo near the connections. If a vacuum pipe leaks a lot more force will be necessary to operate the brake pedal.

Fix: The fitted vacuum pipes will be checked and replaced if necessary.

21,335 vehicles · built 1 Aug 1996 to 30 Jun 1999

On 79 vehicles within the VIN ranges affected (with 3-spoke sports steering wheel) it is possible that in the event of a collision impact above the triggering threshold of the airbags the driver's airbag may not be deployed.

Fix: The drivers airbag unit will be replaced on all affected vehicles with 3-spoke sports steering wheel.

541 vehicles

There is a risk that an electrical fault in the anti lock brake control unit (ABS) can cause overheating of related electrical components. This may lead to fire damage and cause the service brake to revert to a non-anti lock mode of operation.

Fix: Recall affected vehicles to check the part number and supplier code of the ABS control unit. Renew the ABS control unit where found necessary.

99 vehicles · built 1 Mar 2001 to 30 Sep 2001

It is possible that part of the throttle actuator mechanism can rub against the bonnet insulation and in a worst-case situation could become jammed.

Fix: Recall affected vehicles and fit modified insulation material.

1,765 vehicles · built 1 Dec 1997 to 30 Jun 1998

In isolated cases the securing brackets for the rear left and right seat belt retractors may be prone to fatigue cracking. This means that the seat belts for the outer rear seats may not provide the maximum level of protection under extreme conditions.

Fix: Fit reinforcement plates at the belt retractors.

2,822 vehicles · built 1 Jan 1998 to 31 Jan 1998

The front seat belt height adjuster may not have been manufactured to the correct specification and could endanger the belt wearer in an accident situation.

Fix: Affected vehicles are being recalled to dealers for inspection and where required the installation of a new seat belt height adjuster.

1,097 vehicles · built 1 Feb 1997 to 31 Mar 1997