TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. MECHATRONIC CONTROLLER HAS GONE BAD. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DSG WILL NOT ENGAGE TO GO INTO REVERSE. TRANSMISSION ACTS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. WHEN PLACED IN PARK, IF AUTO IS ON AN INCLINE OF ANY SORT, THE VEHICLE WILL AND HAS ROLLED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 10 INCHES. THE CONCERN IS THAT IF THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE ON COMMAND, THE OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF T…
2009 Audi A3 powertrain problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
I HAVE AN 2009 AUDI A3 2.0T WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER ABOUT 20-30 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CARE THE TRANSMISSION STARTS EXHIBITING STRANGE BEHAVIOR. AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AFTER LETTING THE FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. IT MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND AND THE GEAR INDICATOR GOES FROM THE GEAR NUMBER DISPLAN TO P-R-N-D INDICATOR AND THEN BACK TO THE GEAR NUMBER DISPLAY. I…
WHEN IN LOW GEARS, EVERY ACTION (DECELERATION AND ACCELERATION) ARE EXTREMELY "JERKY". WHEN COMING TO A STOP AUDIBLE "CLUNK"S CAN BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AREA, AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FULLY STOP THE CAR JERKS FORWARD INTO FIRST GEAR. THE REVERSE AND DRIVE GEARS ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES PARTIALLY ENGAGE, OR DO NOT FULLY ENGAGE AT ALL. ON HILLS, THE TRANSMISSION HAS THESE ISSUES AS WE…
DSG transmission will abruptly shift down to first gear and would not respond in any other gear. The shift indicator in the dashboard will light up and blink and the check engine light will come on. There are no warnings before this happens and it will happen at random times. It has happen in separate occasions while traveling at different speeds. When this happens while traveling it creates a dra…
vehicle switched into neutral and accelerated Unable to control or stop Crashed into bush 2014 AUDI checked said no issuue Vehicle switches gear unexpectedly on highway and slows and drags Audi checked Said normal 9/3 2022 foot on break to a full stop at a light Anothet auto in front Audi suddenly switched gear and started to accelerate Would not stop Crashed into car in front Gear stayed fr…
TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ENGINE RPMS JUMP TO REDLINE WHILE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL, THEN GOES BACK INTO GEAR. HAS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. TRANSMISSION ALSO KICKS DOWN TO LOWEST GEAR WHEN COMING AT STOP, JERKING THE CAR WHILE BRAKING.
DRIVING INTO A SMALL LOT TO PARK. FOOT ON BRAKE AND MOVING AT AT LOW SPEED CAME TO STOP AND AUTO SUDDENLY STARTED TO SPEED AND SOUNDED LIKE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. AUTO JUMPED A SMALL CURB AND WENT INTO SOME BUSHES. IN PAST WHEN DRIVING AUTO SHIFTED TO SPORT GEAR WITHOUT WARNING AND SLOWED DOWN. DEALER CHECKED AND COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM SIMILAR RECALL WITH 2009 A3 BUT NOT MY VIN. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Audi A3?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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