Recalls
5campaigns
2 air bag · 2 fuel system · 1 power train
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
50filed
Owner reports, 2006–2016 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
32mpg combined
$2,041/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2 L 4-cyl· 6-speed automatic
4 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (5)
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2010 Audi A3. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2010 Audi A3. Not checked against your VIN.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
Air bags · frontal · driver side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
78.9% repairedof 162,782 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V082000
Listed for 2010 Audi A3. Not checked against your VIN.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
Air bags · frontal · driver side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
40.4% repairedof 151,767 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V079000
Listed for 2010 Audi A3. Not checked against your VIN.
DIESEL FUEL INJECTION LINES
Fuel system, diesel
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Repair progress not yet reported168,275 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V490000
Listed for 2010 Audi A3. Not checked against your VIN.
FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE
Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy
- VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUDI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE WITH AN IMPROVED VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.
Repair progress not yet reported10,200 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 09V377000
Listed for 2010 Audi A3. Not checked against your VIN.
DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX
Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.
- Consequence
- THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Remedy
- VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Repair progress not yet reported16,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 09V333000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (50)
50 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The fuel system is mentioned most often.
1involved a crash
0involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 16 | 32% |
| Air bags | 13 | 26% |
| Power train | 11 | 22% |
| Engine | 4 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 4% |
| Tires | 2 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 2% |
How 2010 compares with other A3 years
Best and worst A3 years →2006123
200752
200843
200947
201050
201143
201243
201320
2015180
2016117
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 123 | 4 |
| 2007 | 52 | 3 |
| 2008 | 43 | 3 |
| 2009 | 47 | 5 |
| 2010 | 50 | 5 |
| 2011 | 43 | 4 |
| 2012 | 43 | 4 |
| 2013 | 20 | 3 |
| 2015 | 180 | 7 |
| 2016 | 117 | 6 |
This year (2010)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 32 mpg combined
32
mpg combined
29
city
37
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,000
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 318 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Station Wagons
What it costs you to run
$2,041per year
$170per month
469gallons a year
Miles ÷ 32 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 37 / 32 | $3,000 | 318 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | $3,400 | 370 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | $3,400 | 370 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | $3,400 | 370 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2010 A3 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2010 Audi A3 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2010 Audi A3 have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 18V082000 (air bag), 16V079000 (air bag), 11V490000 (fuel system), 09V377000 (fuel system), 09V333000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2010 Audi A3 problems?
Owners filed 50 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel system (16), Air bags (13), Power train (11) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2010 Audi A3 get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 29 city, 37 highway and 32 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2010 A3 compare with other years?
Among the 2006–2016 Audi A3 model years at least five years old, the 2013 drew the fewest complaints (20) and the 2015 the most (180). The 2010 drew 50. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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