Recalls: Audi 8VA A3 Sportback
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Audi 8VA A3 Sportback
2012-13 Audi 8VA A3 Sportback with 7sp DSG: sudden loss of power
In November 2013, a recall was issued for Audi 8VA A3 Sportback vehicles with seven-speed DQ200 DSG transmissions that were manufactured between October 2012 and April 2013. In these vehicles, electrolysis of sulphur constituents in the synthetic oil could cause them to separate and accumulate between electrical conductor paths. In turn, this could create a short circuit and blow the gearbox fuse, causing the clutch to fully open. While the majority of failures occurred on start-up when the vehicle was stationary, a failure when the vehicle was in motion would result in a sudden loss of power at the wheels. All other functions of the vehicle, however, would remain active. As part of the recall, the synthetic transmission oil was to be replaced with mineral oil (PRA 2013/13858).
2013-14 Audi 8VA A3 Sportback: fuel pump may fail
In October 2015, a recall was issued for Audi A3 Sportback vehicles that had petrol engines and were manufactured from December 2013 and April 2014. The fuel delivery pump in these vehicles may fail – if this occurred, the vehicle could no longer be started or driven, posing a hazard to occupants and other road users (PRA 2015/14942).
2017 Audi 8VA A3 Sportback: manufacturing fault for rear hub carriers
In November 2017, a recall was issued for Audi 8V A3 vehicles that were manufactured in August 2017. In these vehicles, a fault in the manufacturing process for the rear hub carriers caused a discrepancy in material hardness. As a result, bolted connections to the hub carriers could become detached or the hub carriers could fail – this could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, posing a collision risk to vehicle occupants and other road users (PRA 2017/16447).
2018 Audi 8VA A3 Sportback: rear head restraints may not be mounted properly
In January 2019, recall campaign 72H9 was issued for Audi 8VA A3 Sportback vehicles that were manufactured between week 22 and week 31 in 2018. In these vehicles, the mountings for the rear head restraints were not correctly welded to the outer backrest frame. The support and protection functions of the head restraint may therefore be restricted in the event of a collision and this increased the risk of serious injury to the occupants. As part of the recall, the rear back rest frames were to be checked and, if required, the rear seat bench was to be replaced. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17242.
2013-16 model year Audi 8VA A3 Sportback S-Tronic: pressure accumulator crack and loss of power
In October 2019, recall campaign 35D9 was issued for 2013-16 model year Audi 8VA A3 Sportback vehicles that had seven-speed S-Tronic (or double clutch) transmissions. Due to a production fault, a crack in the transmission’s pressure accumulator (within the mechatronics housing) could occur. If the pressure accumulator cracked, oil and pressure would be lost in the hydraulic system of the gearbox. If this occurred, the transmission of engine power would be interrupted, similar to depressing the clutch in a vehicle with a manual transmission – this increased the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17883.
2013-16 model year Audi 8VA A3 Sportback S-Tronic: pressure accumulator crack and loss of power #2
In May 2020, recall campaign 35E7 was issued for 2013-16 model year Audi 8VA A3 Sportback vehicles that had seven-speed dual clutch (‘S-Tronic’) gearboxes and had previously been the subject of recall campaign 35D (PRA 2019/17883). All of these vehicles that had previously been inspected without repair now needed to be inspected again and repaired if necessary. Due to a production fault, a crack in the transmission’s pressure accumulator (within the mechatronics housing) could occur. If the pressure accumulator cracked, oil and pressure would be lost in the hydraulic system of the gearbox. If this occurred, the transmission of engine power would be interrupted, similar to depressing the clutch in a vehicle with a manual transmission – this increased the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18296.
Problems and faults: Audi 8VA A3 Sportback
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
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Problems and faults: Audi 8VA A3 Sportback
No troubleshooting information is currently available for the Audi 8VA A3 Sportback.
