Every road vehicle recall DVSA lists for the Audi A3 since 1992: what the problem is, how it is put right, how many vehicles it covers and when they were built. Newest first.
Not every Audi A3 is affected. Each recall covers cars built on particular dates or with
particular VINs, which DVSA’s file does not list in full. To check a specific car, use
GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check with its registration, or ask
the manufacturer or a dealer, who can check the VIN.
Audi A3 recalls by year
Recalls launched each year, 1997 to 2026
2018 had the most, with 3. A count of recalls is not a measure of safety: one recall can cover a handful of cars or tens of thousands.
Launched 8 August 2025DVSA recall R/2025/387Manufacturer ref. TKSD
Defect
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.
Remedy
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.
Launched 13 August 2024DVSA recall R/2024/312Manufacturer ref. 69RR
Defect
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.
Remedy
As a precautionary safety measure it is necessary to replace the gas generator in the airbag unit on the driver side of the vehicle.
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.
Launched 22 August 2023DVSA recall R/2023/254Manufacturer ref. 97HO
Defect
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.
Remedy
Check the electrical connection and secure if necessary.
Restraining capacity of the belt system for the front seats may be lower than intended in the event of an accident
Launched 20 October 2022DVSA recall R/2022/303Manufacturer ref. 68I2
Defect
The restraining capability of the belt system for the front seats may be lower than intended in the event of an accident.
Remedy
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.
Vehicles affected
174 A3 vehicles
Built
22 Sept 2021 to 11 Nov 2021
The fuse in the high-voltage system may have been manufactured with an insufficient quantity of extinguishing sand
Launched 7 April 2022DVSA recall R/2022/085Manufacturer ref. 93N8
Defect
The fuse in the high-voltage system (HV system) in vehicles built within a limited period may have been manufactured with an insufficient quantity of extinguishing sand.
Remedy
Insulation must be fitted above the switching unit for the high-voltage battery.
The bolted connection on the input rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal can be come loose
Launched 10 September 2021DVSA recall R/2021/323Manufacturer ref. 47R5
Defect
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.
Remedy
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.
Launched 7 March 2018DVSA recall R/2018/061Manufacturer ref. 27F8
Defect
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.
Remedy
Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the solenoid switch.
Vehicles affected
5,208 A3 vehicles
Built
1 Mar 2011 to 30 Nov 2011
Passenger airbag may not deploy as intended
Launched 6 February 2018DVSA recall R/2018/040Manufacturer ref. 69U7
Defect
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.
Remedy
On affected vehicles replace the front passenger air bag module with a correctly manufactured version.
Vehicles affected
6 A3 vehicles
Built
1 Jul 2014 to 15 Nov 2014
2017 2 recalls
Rear hub carriers not manufactured to correct standard
Launched 17 November 2017DVSA recall R/2017/311Manufacturer ref. 42I3
Defect
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.
Remedy
Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the right and left rear wheel bearing housings.
Launched 20 June 2017DVSA recall R/2017/190Manufacturer ref. 45F5
Defect
On vehicles with ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. This may cause failure of the ABS/ESC system.
Remedy
On affected vehicles install new software. Where necessary a new ABS/ESC control unit will be fitted.
Vehicles affected
38,548 A3 vehicles
Built
1 May 2008 to 31 May 2009
2011 1 recall
Fuel may leak
Launched 15 December 2011DVSA recall R/2011/170Manufacturer ref. 23JB
Defect
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.
Remedy
Fitting of anti-vibration balance weights must be fitted on the high-pressure pipes.
Vehicles affected
1,825 A3 vehicles
Built
1 Jan 2008 to 15 Dec 2011
2009 1 recall
Clutch may operate inadvertently with unexpected loss of drive.
Launched 14 December 2009DVSA recall R/2009/112Manufacturer ref. 37ES
Defect
In rare cases an incorrect interpretation of the clutch temperature can occur which results in the clutch opening unexpectedly with loss of drive.
Remedy
Recall affected vehicles and update/reprogramme gearbox control unit.
Launched 6 September 2006DVSA recall R/2006/136Manufacturer ref. 69G3
Defect
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.
Remedy
Recalled vehicles will have the curtain airbag replaced.
Vehicles affected
92 A3 vehicles
Built
1 Jun 2005 to 31 Jul 2005
Flywheel may fail fire may result
Launched 27 March 2006DVSA recall R/2006/031
Defect
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.
Remedy
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.
Vehicles affected
8,586 A3 vehicles
Built
30 Jun 2003 to 30 Jun 2005
2005 1 recall
Bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break
Launched 1 March 2005DVSA recall R/2004/213Manufacturer ref. 20L1
Defect
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.
Remedy
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.
Shatter cracks may occur on a vacuum pipe to brake servo
Launched 29 September 2003DVSA recall R/2003/128Manufacturer ref. 47J4
Defect
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.
Remedy
The fitted vacuum pipes will be checked and replaced if necessary.
Vehicles affected
21,335 A3 vehicles
Built
1 Aug 1996 to 30 Jun 1999
2002 2 recalls
Airbag may not deploy
Launched 26 October 2002DVSA recall R/2002/143Manufacturer ref. 69E1
Defect
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.
Remedy
The drivers airbag unit will be replaced on all affected vehicles with 3-spoke sports steering wheel.
Launched 7 June 2002DVSA recall R/2002/029Manufacturer ref. 45B3
Defect
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.
Remedy
Recall affected vehicles to check the part number and supplier code of the ABS control unit. Renew the ABS control unit where found necessary.
Vehicles affected
99 vehicles
Built
1 Mar 2001 to 30 Sept 2001
1999 1 recall
Possible jamming of accelerator mechanism
Launched 26 January 1999DVSA recall R/1998/116
Defect
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.
Remedy
Recall affected vehicles and fit modified insulation material.
Vehicles affected
1,765 A3 vehicles
Built
1 Dec 1997 to 30 Jun 1998
1998 1 recall
Rear left and right seat belt retractor mounting brackets may be prone to fatigue cracking
Launched 1 July 1998DVSA recall R/1998/047
Defect
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.
Remedy
Fit reinforcement plates at the belt retractors.
Vehicles affected
2,822 A3 vehicles
Built
1 Jan 1998 to 31 Jan 1998
1997 1 recall
Front seat belt height adjuster
Launched 28 June 1997DVSA recall R/1997/049
Defect
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.
Remedy
Affected vehicles are being recalled to dealers for inspection and where required the installation of a new seat belt height adjuster.
Road vehicle recalls (DVSA numbers starting R/) whose model names match the Audi A3. DVSA records some recalls under a range or chassis name we cannot match, so this list may be incomplete.
Vehicles affected is the number the manufacturer reported to DVSA. When one recall covers several models, DVSA often gives only the total.
Build dates are the periods the manufacturer gave. Some recalls have none. VINs are not shown.
Concerns written in capitals have been put in sentence case, and apostrophes lost in DVSA’s file have been put back. The text is otherwise DVSA’s.
