Audi A3 Common Problems and Solutions
Engine Failure (All 2.0-ltr Models)
Problem:
The engine has broken down and cannot be restarted.
Solution:
2. The 2.0-litre diesel versions of the A3 have a reported issue where some drivers experience severe engine failure within less than 60,000 miles. This is caused by excessive wear on a sprocket in the oil pump and can occur at any time. You will need to order a replacement oil pump from us and install the new one to replace the worn part.
Difficulty level
Oil Pump
Stiff Gear Change (All Six-Speed Manuals)
Problem:
It’s becoming more difficult to shift between 1st and 2nd gears, and the gear lever feels stiff.
Solution:
This issue affects only those A3s with a six-speed manual gearbox, caused by a gearbox synchromesh fault. Having a professional install it can be very costly, but you can easily find a low-cost replacement on our parts page, and replacing it yourself is actually simpler than you might think.
Difficulty level
Weak Brake Pedal
Problem:
The brake pedal requires excessive pressure to operate.
Solution:
The brake vacuum pump on A3s manufactured between 1996 and 1999 is well known for wearing out quickly. Inspect your pipe for cracks, order your replacement from BreakerYard today, and easily swap the damaged part.
Difficulty level
Vacuum Pump
Engine Misfire
Problem:
The car is misfiring, causing a loss of power. The Check Engine Light may also illuminate.
Solution:
This is usually caused by a failed engine coil. It’s quite common in cars that have covered many miles, and you will need to replace them. In very rare instances, replacing the coils may not resolve the issue, and in that case, you should order new spark plugs from our online store and replace those as well.
Difficulty level
Engine Failure (All 2.0-ltr Models)
Problem:
The engine has failed and will not restart.
Solution:
2.0-ltr diesel versions of the A3 have a reported issue with some drivers experiencing massive engine failure after less than 60,000 miles. It’s caused by excessive wear to a sprocket on the oil pump and can happen at almost any time. You’ll have to order a replacement oil pump from us and replace the worn one.
Difficulty level
Stiff Gear Change (All Six-Speed Manuals)
Problem:
It’s becoming harder to shift between 1st and 2nd gear, and the gear stick feels stiff.
Solution:
This issue only affects those A3s with a six-speed manual gearbox. The problem is a gearbox synchromesh fault. Having a professional install the part can be very costly, but you can easily find an inexpensive replacement on our parts page. Replacing it yourself is simpler than you might think.
Difficulty level
Weak Brake Pedal
Problem:
The brake pedal needs excessive pressure to start working.
Solution:
The brake vacuum pump on A3s built between 1996 and 1999 is famous for rapid wear. Check your pipe for cracks, order your replacement from BreakerYard today, and easily replace the damaged one.
Difficulty level
Vacuum Pump
Engine Misfire
Problem:
The car is misfiring, leading to a loss of power. The Check Engine Light may also come on.
Solution:
This will usually be caused by an engine coil failure. It’s very normal in cars that have driven a lot of miles, and you’ll need to replace them. In very rare cases, you may find that replacing the coils hasn’t helped, in which case you’ll need to order replacement spark plugs from our online store and exchange them too.
Difficulty level
Suspension problems
Problem:
You may have noticed that when you are driving over speed bumps or rough surfaces, there is a knocking noise coming from the suspension. This problem is usually caused by the track rod ends being broken.
Solution:
Replacing the track rod ends will resolve the issue.
Difficulty level
Rod Ends
DPF warning light
Problem:
If the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) warning light appears on the dashboard, it is usually caused by a blocked DPF because the car is only driven around town. This means that the DPF cannot reach high enough temperatures to burn off the unwanted particles. As a result, the DPF becomes blocked.
Solution:
You need to take the car onto a motorway and drive in 4th gear at about 2500 rpm for roughly 10 miles. This will allow the DPF to reach a high enough temperature to burn off these unwanted particles. As a result, the warning light should go off on the dashboard. Have a look at the video below for guidance on how to do this.
Difficulty level
Engine management warning light
Problem:
If the engine management warning light appears on the dashboard, it is usually caused by the coolant temperature sensor. If this is the case, you might also notice difficulty starting the car when it is warm or observe strange temperature readings.
Solution:
You will need to replace the coolant temperature sensor to resolve this issue.
Difficulty level
Coolant Temperature Sensor
Oil leak on diesel engines
Problem:
If you notice an oil leak on the floor, it is usually caused by a broken turbo pressure pipe seal.
Solution:
Replacing the turbo pressure pipe seal will resolve the issue.
Difficulty level
Excessive Oil Use
Problem:
You are consistently using too much oil.
Solution:
This is a common issue with Audi A3s manufactured between 2003 and 2012, related to the fuel pipe. It mainly affects 2.0-litre models, particularly those built from 2008 to 2011. The problem stems from a faulty fuel pipe that leaks oil. Purchase some anti-vibration weights from our store and install them to resolve the issue.
Difficulty level
Excessive Oil Use
Problem:
You are using far too much oil on a regular basis.
Solution:
This is a well-known problem on Audi A3s built between 2003 and 2012 and is down to the fuel pipe. It usually affects 2.0-ltr models, especially those built between 2008 and 2011. The cause is a faulty fuel pipe, which is leaking oil. Buy some anti-vibration weights from our store and install them to fix the problem.
Difficulty level
Losing Power (Automatics)
Problem:
The car begins to lose power while driving.
Solution:
The clutch temperature gauge on automatics tends to activate unexpectedly, causing the car to lose power. Audi recalled many A3s because of this, and it’s caused by a faulty chip. You’ll need to find a replacement clutch temperature gauge from our parts list and swap out the faulty one.
Difficulty level
Losing Power
Problem:
The car begins to lose power while driving.
Solution:
The clutch temperature gauge on automatics has the annoying habit of activating at random times, causing the car to lose power. Audi recalled many A3s for this issue, which is due to a faulty chip. You will need to find a replacement clutch temperature gauge from our parts list and swap out the faulty one.
Difficulty level
Rear Wheel Has Come Off
Problem:
The rear wheel has detached while driving.
Solution:
This issue is quite rare and affects only A3s manufactured between 1st and 31st August 2017. The rear hub carrier was made to the incorrect standard. You will need to purchase a replacement rear hub carrier and rear wheel, both available on our parts list for the A3.
Difficulty level
Wheel Hub Carrier
Rear Wheel Has Come Off
Problem:
The rear wheel has come off while driving.
Solution:
This is quite rare and is only a problem on A3s built between August 1st and August 31st, 2017. The rear hub carrier was manufactured to the incorrect standard. You’ll need to buy a replacement rear hub carrier and a rear wheel, both of which can be found on our parts list for the A3.
Difficulty level