Model year guide

2009 Audi A3

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2009 Audi A3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 23 on record.

2009 Audi A3 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2009 Audi A3 at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints47
Combined24 mpg
Typical price$9,932

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2009 Audi A3 recalls 5

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #18V082000 · 30/01/2018

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.

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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This rec…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip NHTSA Campaign #16V913000 · 20/12/2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Vo…

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #16V079000 · 10/02/2016

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.

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 owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #09V333000 · 20/08/2009

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 TRANSMISSI…

Fix: 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly NHTSA Campaign #09V377000 · 30/09/2009

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2009 Audi A3 common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2009 Audi A3 MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,150

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2009 Audi A3 worth?

Low
$7,000
Typical price
$9,932
High
$12,600

From 23 comparable 2009 Audi A3 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2009 Audi A3 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$6,000
Total$21,750
Per mile$0.29

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($9,932) with the same model 3 model-years older ($6,324), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2009 Audi A3 trims & engines on record

Trims
2.0T quattro · 2.0T PZEV · 2.0T
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 200 hp

2009 Audi A3 vehicles on record

Other Audi A3 model years

2009 Audi A3 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Audi A3 have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2009 Audi A3. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Audi A3?

Based on 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, engine, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Audi A3 get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2009 Audi A3 at about 24 mpg combined (22 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2009 Audi A3 worth?

Comparable 2009 Audi A3 listings run roughly $7,000–$12,600, typically around $9,932 (from 23 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.