NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 43 owner complaints for the 2008 Audi A3. Most complaints involve air bags (24) and power train (13). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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 RESPONSE. AFTER CALLING MULTIPLE OTHER DEALERSHIPS IN MY STATE, ONE A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR FROM ME ACTUALLY REPLIED TO MY MESSAGES. IT TOOK UNTIL JUNE TO GET THIS RECALL COMPLETED. NEITHER AUDI USA NOR IT'S LOCAL DEALERS SEEM TO CARE ABOUT PERFORMING A SAFETY RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER.”
“WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL LOOSING THE ABILITY TO POWER THE VEHICLE ALMOST CAUSING A MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT IT IS THE S-TRONIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL BOX CAUSING THE ISSUE. THE INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW WITH THE SECOND TIME WITH A NEAR MISS ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. THIS CONTROL MODULE FAILED IN OUR VEHICLE AT 34,000 MILES (ESTIMATE) COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW AGAIN AT 83,000 MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED AUDI AND I AM NOT RECEIVING ANY ASSISTANCE FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ITEM - LOOSING POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH A FATALITY OR INJURY. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL TO REPLACE THE MODULE WITH A KNOWN GOOD MODULE. INSTEAD, IT APPEARS THAT THE FIRST MODULE REPLACEMENT DID NOT INCLUDE WHATEVER FIX THEY HAD DONE. WE ARE CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY IN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE SINCE WE TRANSPORT OUR YOUNG CHILDREN IN IT. *TR”
“AS I WAS ACCELERATING UPWARD ONTO THE HIGHWAY RAMP THE VEHICLE STALLED AND JERKED FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS. IT STOPPED FOR ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 7 MORE MILES UNTIL I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY. IT OCCURRED AFTER THE STOP I MADE AFTER I LEFT THE HIGHWAY. *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | $3,200 | 355 |
| A3 Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | $3,300 | 370 |
| A3 quattro Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (24), power train (13), engine and engine cooling (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2008 Audi A3 at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).