The 12 Most Common Failures Of The Audi A3: Problems, Solutions And More!
The Audi A3 is a quality small car that brings you the best of Audi engineering on a fast-accelerating, nimble urban ride. Perfect for a second car or a young driver looking for their first vehicle. Continue reading and discover here the common failures of the Audi A3.
The Audi A3 is tough and performs well in difficult conditions. Before buying a car, it is always a good idea to first get advice on both its advantages and its flaws, since this type of car is well known for its outstanding models, however we well know that appearance is not everything.
Common failures of the Audi A3
If you are thinking of buying an Audi A3, what are some of the most common problems you should be aware of before shelling out your money? We bring you the most common failures of the Audi A3:
1- Failures in the brake vacuum pump
There is a known failure in the Audi A3 manufactured between 1996 and 1999 with the vacuum tube of the brakes. If you are having problems with the brake pedal and you have to apply excessive force to get the car to slow down, this could be due to cracks in the vacuum tube near the servo.
2- Fuel leak problems
There is a widely reported problem with the fuel lines on the diesel models of the Audi A3 that affects the 2.0 liter model built between 2003 and 2012 and especially those in a 3 year window between 2008 and 2011.
Faulty materials used in the production of the cars cause leaky fuel lines, which can be fixed simply by using anti-vibration weights.
3- Failures in the clutch
The direct shift transmission in the Audi A3 uses a dual-clutch automatic gearbox. In many of the cars made between 2008 and 2009 there is a recognized fault in the clutch temperature gauge, which triggers it when the car gets hot, causing the vehicle to lose power on the road . Audi recalled several vehicles and reprogrammed the part’s faulty chip.
4- Defective Airbag (Safety Air Bag)
Does your A3 have a 3-spoke sports steering wheel? If so, be aware that there could be an issue with the airbag. It is worth having this checked at your Audi dealer as there is a known failure to deploy the airbag on models fitted with this part.
5- Fault with the flywheel
One of the most frequent failures of the Audi A3 is production, these are more serious since they affect the A3 is the flywheel, which connects the clutch to the engine . There is a widely known problem on models made between 2003 and 2005 where the flywheel can become damaged or even fail completely and suddenly break, causing an engine fire.
Audi should have called all affected cars and replaced the steering wheel. Check the service history to see if it has been carried out.
6- Problem with the curtain airbag
Another widely reported fault in Audi A3s built between 2003 and 2012 is a problem with the curtain airbag, with the problem predominantly occurring in Sportsback cars from 2005 onwards.
Although this bug should have been fixed in a recall, it is caused by a faulty seal that allows gas to escape from the gas generating unit instead of inflating the bag.
7- Faults in the water pump
The Audi A3 timing belt needs to be replaced regularly every 100,000 kilometers or it could cause problems with the entire engine. When it is replaced, it is also important that the water pump is changed as it could also be compromised by the failure.
8- Problems with the rear brake tubes
On older A3s, from 1996-2003, it is important to check the rear brake pipes as they are known to corrode and could leak fluid , affecting the car’s stopping ability.
9- Engine failures
The engine misfires and will not restart . The 2.0-litre diesel versions of the A3 have a problem with some drivers experiencing massive engine failure after less than 60,000 miles.
It is caused by excessive wear on an oil pump sprocket and can occur almost any time. You will have to buy a replacement oil pump and replace the worn one.
10- Loss of power
The car starts to lose power while driving. The clutch temperature gauge on automatic vehicles has a frustrating habit of coming on at random times. This causes the car to lose power .
Audi recalled a large number of A3s for this reason, and it is caused by a faulty chip. You will have to find a replacement clutch temperature gauge and replace the faulty one.
11- Excessive use of oil
This car may be using too much oil on a regular basis. This is a well known issue on Audi A3s made from 2003-2012 and is caused by the fuel pipe. It usually affects 2.0-liter models, especially those made between 2008 and 2011.
The cause is a faulty fuel pipe, which is leaking oil . Purchase some anti-vibration weights and install them to fix the problem.
12- Check engine light
If the check engine warning light has appeared on the dash, it is usually caused by the coolant temperature sensor . If this is the problem, you may also notice that you are having trouble starting the car when it is hot, or that you are getting strange temperature readings. You will need to replace the coolant temperature sensor, to resolve this issue.
To end
The Audi A3 is a good buy and will hold its value on the used market. With periodic reviews and oil changes. Consult your owner’s manual for specific details and timing intervals, this way it will keep working for years.
