The 2009 Audi A3 has 3 recalls, the most serious being a driver's frontal airbag inflator that can rupture or explode during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin and potentially causing serious injury to the driver or passengers.
The airbag inflator issue stems from excessive internal pressure building during deployment, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the problem, which is why multiple recall campaigns address the same defect. On the electronic safety side, the anti-lock brake system control unit can fail at the moment ABS or electronic stability control activates, which are precisely the situations where those systems are most needed. When the control unit fails, the vehicle can lose the electronic intervention that helps maintain directional control during hard braking or a skid, raising the risk of a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may build up excessive internal pressure and explode when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag inflator with a new one at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The ABS control unit may fail when ABS or Electronic Stability Control activates, potentially causing loss of vehicle control.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the ABS control module software and replace any modules that fail the new diagnostic test.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may rupture due to excessive internal pressure when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
