2012 Audi A3: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Audi A3: 4 recalls, 43 owner complaints and up to 32 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system (diesel) Vehicle recall #11V490000 · 2011 · 168,275 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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…
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V079000 · 2016 · 151,767 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V082000 · 2018 · 162,782 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V862000 · 2019 · 226 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp 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 side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (31): the most common themes are deploys unexpectedly / inflator (2).
- Electrical (6): the most common themes are electrical failure (6), fire / smoke (3).
- Exterior lights (5): the most common themes are electrical failure (4), fire / smoke (4).
- Fuel & propulsion (4): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3).
The 2012 Audi A3 has 43 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 23 A3 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 32). Complaints peaked in 2016 (13 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 66,557 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (43 complaints, 4 recalls), 2013 (20 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 37 | 32 | Diesel |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Audi A3.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Audi A3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Audi A3. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Audi A3 problems?
Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (31), electrical (6), exterior lights (5).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi A3 get?
EPA ratings run up to 32 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S6)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Audi A3 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.