VIN Decoder

Premium Report
43
Complaints Reported
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Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS
31 complaints
air bag came on in dash. even though the air bag was recalled and fixed by dealer
Jan 04, 2022
THIS CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED IN 2012 AND THEREFORE NO LONGER NEEDS THE AIRBAG RECALL TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. PLEASE REMOVE THIS RECALL NOTICE FROM THE DATABASE.
Jul 07, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V079000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUDI CARLSBAD (5425 PASEO DEL NORTE, CARLSBAD, CA 92008, (760) 438-9490) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Apr 04, 2019
I HAVE HAD A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IT REPLACED AT AUDI SINCE 2016, I HAVE SENT EMAILS TO THE GENERAL MANAGER AND THEY KEPT SAYING "THEY DO NOT HAVE THE AIRBAGS IN STOCK". I HAVE TRIED ANOTHER AUID AND GERT THE SAME ANSWER.
Dec 08, 2018
Crash: 1
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED RECALL INFORMATION FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAG IN MY VEHICLE. - I CALLED AUDI STEVENS CREEK 888-462-7410 AS INSTRUCTED TO SCHEDULE REPAIR - AUDI SAID THEY ARE NOT DOING THE REPAIR AS NO AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY AUDI AMERICA - THERE IS NO ETA WHEN REPAIR MAY BE DONE THE STEVENS CREEK AUDI DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO SCHEDULE MY AIRBAG REPAIR. AUDI CLAIMS AIRBAGS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE AUDI A3 VEHICLES. AUDI'S INABILITY TO REPAIR THE AIRBAG AS REQUIRED BY THE SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE NOTED IN THE FILE IN CASE ANYTHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO ME OR MY WIFE WHILE DRIVING. AUDI WILL BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES FOR THEIR INABILITY TO PROVIDE THE AIRBAG REPAIR IN A TIMELY MANOR. THANK YOU, [XXX] VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Nov 12, 2018
+ 26 more complaints for this component
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4 complaints
CARBON BUILDUP ON FUEL INJECTORS AFTER 60K, DEALERSHIP IS DENYING EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. IT'S COMMON ISSUE WITH DI ENGINES, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE.
Nov 08, 2018
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON EVENING ON APRIL 16, 2015, THE ENGINE NOISE WAS NOTICEABLY MORE PRONOUNCED. ONE MILE FURTHER, A FLASHING GLOW PLUG LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY A DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER (LIMITED TO 25 MPH). DROVE REMAINING SHORT DISTANCE HOME AT A LOW SPEED DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. AFTER TOWING VEHICLE TO AUDI DEALERSHIP THE NEXT MORNING, TECHNICIAN REPORTED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD DISINTEGRATED AND SENT METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ALL FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS. *TR
Apr 20, 2015
LOSS OF POWER AT SPEED IN TRAFFIC DUE TO A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE, JUST AVOIDING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS CAUSED BY EITHER INCORRECT/CONTAMINATED FUEL OR INCORRECT OIL BY THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE USED ONLY DIESEL FUEL FROM NATIONAL STATIONS, HAVE NEVER USED BIO DIESEL AND HAVE USED THE CORRECT AUDI APPROVED OIL. THIS IS APPARENTLY A WIDE SPREAD ENGINEERING ISSUE THAT HAS NOW DICTATED THE COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT ON THIS VEHICLE (AND NUMEROUS OTHERS) AT A SIZABLE COST WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF LIFE IF OCCURRING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AUDI IS NOT OFFERING ANY SOLUTIONS NOR DO THEY STATE ON THEIR SERVICE SCHEDULES THAT THE PUMP SHOULD BE CHECKED, REPLACED OR ADDITIVES USED (ALTHOUGH IF YOU CALL THEY STRONGLY SUGGEST). THE TDI MODELS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND THE EFFECTED PARTS REPLACED. THIS WAS A 2012 A3 TDI MODEL WITH 71,000 MILES. *TR
Mar 13, 2015
TRAVELING AT SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR STARTED FLASHING ON THE DASH. CAR INSTANTLY BECAME INOPERABLE. LUCKILY WAS APPROACHING AN EXIT AND ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR DIED ON THE RAMP AND WOULD NOT RESTART. CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO HAUL THE CAR TO AUDI OF LEXINGTON. SERVICE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE THE NEXT MORNING. TO MY WITNESS, THE FUEL FILTER CANISTER AND THE TOP SIDE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP APPEARED TO BE FULL OF METAL. THE SERVICE REQUIRED IS A COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT FROM THE INJECTORS ALL THE WAY TO THE TANK. *JS
Jul 08, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4 complaints
AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND MOVING A SHORT DISTANCE, THE DASH DISPLAY SHOWED MULTIPLE WARNINGS REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS. APPROXIMATELY 12 EXTERIOR LIGHTS HAD ALL GONE OUT AT ONCE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE I CHECKED THE FUSE BOX IN THE ENGINE BAY AND FUSE F16 (30A) HAD MELTED WITH RESIDUE ON THE CONTACT BUT NOT FAILED. THE CONTACT ON THE FUSE BOX ALSO HAD RESIDUE AND THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC WAS MELTED AS WELL. THE SAME EXACT ISSUE OCCURRED ON MY 2009-2011 VW TIGUAN AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V569000 AND VW RECALL NUMBER: 97Z9/2V). THE PART RECALLED IN THE TIGUAN IS THE SAME EXACT PART USED IN THE 2012 AUDI A3 (PART #: 1K0937125D). AOA SHOULD RECALL THE PART AS WAS DONE BY VW. THERE ARE MULTIPLE SAFETY ISSUES THAT ARE CAUSED BY THIS FAILURE SUCH AS LOSS OF EXTERIOR LIGHTING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND POSSIBILITY OF FIRE CAUSED BY OVERHEATING. ATTACHED ARE PHOTOS OF THE MELTED FUSE AND FUSE BOX AS WELL AS THE VW TIGUAN RECALL NOTICE. *TR
Jan 12, 2017
AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND DRIVING ABOUT 50 FEET, THE VEHICLE DRIVER DISPLAY SCREEN SIGNALED THAT MULTIPLE EXTERIOR LIGHTS HAD FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. SENSING THAT MULTIPLE LIGHT BULBS WOULD NOT FAIL AT ONCE UNLESS THERE WAS A LARGER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, I PROMPTLY MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE LOCAL AUDI SERVICE CENTER THE NEXT DAY. AFTER DIAGNOSIS BY AUDI TECHNICIANS, I LEARNED THAT THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD HAD MELTED DUE TO OVERLOAD OF CIRCUITS OR WIRING IN THE BOX. HAD I NOT TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR, THE OVERLOAD COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE BAY. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND OTHER OCCURRENCES EXPERIENCED BY VOLKSWAGEN/AUDI VEHICLE DRIVERS WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. PLEASE ADD THIS INCIDENT TO YOUR RECORD OF CASES. THANK YOU. *TR
Apr 05, 2016
WHILE DRIVING MY LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY GO OUT BOTH DURING DAY AND NIGHT. DASH WARNING WOULD BE BULB OUT NEEDING REPLACING BUT NOTHING WAS EVER WRONG WITH THE BULBS OR TURN SIGNALS. ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT AND WARNING WOULD GO AWAY ON IT'S OWN OR AFTER CAR RESTARTED. LATER WHEN DASH WARNING CAME ON AND STAYED ON I TOOK IT INTO SERVICE WHICH LATER WAS DIAGNOSED TO BE A MELTED FUSE BOX PANEL ON F16 & F17. BOTH FUSE SLOTS WERE MELTED ALONG WITH F16 FUSE (15AMP) AND BURN MARKS ALONG THE HOUSING. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE KNOWN ISSUE WHICH WAS RECALLED ON VW SIDE BUT NOT BY AUDI. THE FUSEBOX IS 1K0937125D. AUDI OF AMERICA SHOULD HAVE HAD THIS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FROM WHEN THE SYMPTOMS STARTED, OR RECALLED THE PART AS WAS DONE ON VW SIDE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND POTENTIAL FIRE ISSUE WITH THE MELTING OF PANEL AND FUSE.
Nov 13, 2015
Fire: 1
THE F16 FUSE WHICH IS RECALLED ON THE VW SIDE MELTED, CAUSING THE SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT. THE DEALER ON TOP IF THIS REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE, AND WILL NOT PROPERLY FIX THE CAR. I REPLACED THE FUSE WITH ANOTHER, THE RECALL ON THE VW SIDE IS 13V569000, AOA CLAIMS THEY DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, VW REDESIGNED THE FUSE PANELS IN ITS 2012 GOLF/TIGUAN/JETTA, BUT THE AUDI A3 STILL USES THE EXACT SAME FUSE AND FUSE PANEL AS THE MODELS ON THE RECALL LIST AND TSB LIST. *TR
Feb 10, 2015
Fire: 1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaint
The tail light bulbs melts plastic and can cause fire. My light indicator came on. When I checked the bulb, the internal structure was melted. I ordered exact model from a junk yard. When I received, I noticed it had the same issue and the internal structure was melting from heat of light bulb. Both Left and Right Tail light structures were melting. Potential fire hazard.
Jun 11, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
1.CAR SLIPS ON WET SNOW WHEN APPLYING BRAKES WITH BRAKE ASSIST ON 2. 30 AMP FUSE FOR RIGHT SIDE CONTROL MODULE BLOWS OFF EVERY WEEK AFTER REPLACING TO A BLACK CHAR
Dec 17, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH, AN MIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. A CONSISTENT CHANGE IN POWER OR DRIVABILITY WAS NOT EXPERIENCED IMMEDIATELY, BUT INTERMITTENT MOMENTS OF SLIGHT POWER LOSS WERE NOTICED (1 SECOND DROP IN POWER) DURING BOTH CRUISE OR ACCELERATION DURING THE REMAINING DRIVE HOME AFTER THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME, I INSPECTED THE ENGINE FOR ANY OBVIOUS SIGNS SUCH AS DISCONNECTED OR LOOSE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, OIL LEVEL, ETC. I DID FIND A POOL OF OIL ON TOP OF THE CYLINDER HEAD POOLING AROUND THE INJECTOR PORTS. THIS CAUSED ME GREAT CONCERN, SO ON JULY 3, I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUDI DEALERSHIP. AFTER TWO DAYS, AN ASST. SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME TO PRESENT A DIAGNOSIS THAT THE EXHAUST FLAP, ASSOCIATED WITH THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM, REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AND THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED BY AUDI FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. THE OIL POOLING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO REMNANTS FROM A PREVIOUS SERVICE VISIT TO THIS SAME DEALERSHIP. THE ASST. SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED THAT THE OIL WAS CLEANED FROM TOP OF ENGINE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN WITH NO PERCEIVABLE OIL DISCHARGE OCCURRING AFTERWARD. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE EXHAUST FLAP IS AN ISSUE FOR ALL VEHICLES WITH THE CBEA ENGINE TYPE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY AUDI DUE TO FAULTY QUALITY. BEING AN EMISSIONS COMPONENT, THE QUALITY OF THE EMISSIONS CONTROL MUST BE IMPACTED OR AT LEAST DETRIMENTAL TO OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE SYSTEM WHICH REGULATE THE EMISSION OF NOXIOUS GREENHOUSE GASES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE DRIVABILITY COULD SUFFER TO A GREATER EXTENT OVERTIME IF THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM BECOMES COMPROMISED BY THIS FAULTY EQUIPMENT. MY HOPE IS THAT AUDI WILL OPEN A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THIS COMPONENT FOR LOYAL CUSTOMERS AND PROLONG THE LIFE OF THE TDI CLEAN DIESEL AND ITS REMARKABLE REDUCED EMISSIONS TECHNOLOGY.
Jul 07, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 complaint
CPSC: I1360446A. 2012 AUDI A3 WAGON. CONSUMER STATED THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKES ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. ALSO STATES CANNOT GET FOOT OFF GAS WITHOUT GETTING CAUGHT ON THE BRAKE IF IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *LN
Jul 19, 2013
4.3/5.0
46 reviews

Where to Find VIN for Problems Check

To check for problems and complaints on your 2012 AUDI A3, you'll need the VIN number. Find your VIN in one of these 4 common locations.

Where to Find VIN Number on 2012 AUDI A3 for Problems Lookup - Dashboard, Door Jamb, Engine Bay, Documents

Understanding VIN Structure for Problem Reports

Each character in your 2012 AUDI A3 17-digit VIN helps identify specific complaints and problems affecting your vehicle model.

2012 AUDI A3 VIN Structure for Complaint Verification - WMI, VDS, Check Digit, Model Year, Plant Code

How to Check 2012 AUDI A3 Problems in 3 Steps

1

Locate Your VIN

Find the 17-character VIN on your 2012 AUDI A3 dashboard (visible through windshield), door jamb, engine bay, or vehicle documents.

2

Review by Component

Browse owner-reported complaints organized by vehicle component (engine, transmission, brakes, electrical) to identify common issues and problem patterns for this model year.

3

Check Safety Issues

Review crash and fire incidents for each component to assess safety concerns. Contact your AUDI dealer or report problems to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2012 AUDI A3 have?

The 2012 AUDI A3 currently has 43 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2012 AUDI A3?

The most common problems reported for the 2012 AUDI A3 are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2012 AUDI A3 problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2012 AUDI A3 comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

How do I report problems with my 2012 AUDI A3?

You can report safety problems with your 2012 AUDI A3 directly to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. Your complaint helps identify patterns and may lead to recalls or investigations.

Where can I find my VIN to check problems?

Your 2012 AUDI A3 VIN is located in 4 places: (1) Dashboard near windshield on driver's side, (2) Driver's door jamb sticker, (3) Engine bay, (4) Vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Is the 2012 AUDI A3 reliable?

Reliability can be assessed by reviewing the number and severity of owner complaints for the 2012 AUDI A3. Check complaints by component, crash reports, and fire incidents above to evaluate potential issues and problem patterns.

Other Years - AUDI A3 Problems

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