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 frrozen in neutral for a few mimutes.
2009 Audi A3 transmission problems
15 complaints (32% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 61,500. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 32%
- typical mileage
- 61,500
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Audi A3 transmission problems in other years
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 passenger cars manufactured between september 2008 and august 2009. The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the direct shift gearbox (dsg) may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped. With insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the transmission to abruptly shift to neutral. If this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash. In addition, the "depress brake pedal" indicator light will be illuminated, alerting the driver to apply the brakes.
- Risk
- The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will reprogram the transmission control module with updated software free of charge. The recall began on october 20, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 09V333000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Vehicle stall/loss motive power
The subject vehicles are equipped with direct shift gearbox (dsg) transmissions, which feature a 6-speed automatic gearbox with two wet running clutches (dual clutch) in which the clutch mechanism and gear changes are electrohydraulically operated by a mechatronic control unit.the dsg mechatronic controller includes extensive self diagnostic functions and strategies to ensure safe operation and prevent system/component damage in the event of component failures or harsh operating conditions.the basic hierarchy of fault modes includes some that only result in the storage of a diagnostic trouble code (dtc) and cause no loss of function, some that store a dtc and reduce vehicle operation to a limp home mode, and some that store a dtc and cause an interruption of motive power (I.e., open clutch).the driver is alerted to the latter two modes by the dash gear position indicator (prnds) flashing. One of the conditions that results in interruption of motive power is excess gearbox temperature.the system initially responds to increased gearbox temperature by ramping down engine torque.if the temperature keeps rising the mechatronic unit responds by opening the clutch.in a defect information report submitted to the federal safety agency on august 20, 2009, volkswagen described a potential defect in the wiring harnesses of the dsg gearbox temperature sensors used in approximately 16,000 model year (my) 2009 and 2010 volkswagen (eos, jetta and gti) and audi (a3 and tt/tt roadster) vehicles equipped with dsg transmissions and built from september 2008 through august 2009 (the federal safety agency recall no. 09v‑333, volkswagen recall no. 37e3/s7 and audi recall no 37e4/j7). Volkswagen provided this description of the defect, the wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the dsg may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped by the connector supplier during a limited production period.with insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the transmission to abruptly shift to neutral.if this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash.in addition, the depress brake pedal indicator light will be illuminated, alerting the driver to apply the brakes.in heavy traffic, the abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.volkswagen estimated that less than one percent of the recalled vehicles may contain the defect condition. Odi identified 40 complaints that appear to be related to the temperature sensor defect condition described by volkswagen.volkswagen received 139 complaints related to the condition, with 7 involving vehicles reported to odi, resulting a 172 total complaints to odi and volkswagen.all of these complaints involve the my 2009 an 2010 vehicles subject to recall 09v‑333. Odi also identified complaints of harsh/jerky shifting in some volkswagen vehicles with dsg.volkswagen attributed this condition, which typically occurs at very low speeds, to excessive wear in the bushings of the two solenoid valves in the mechatronic unit that control clutch operation.volkswagen does not believe that the this condition is a safety defect because the changes in shift quality develop gradually over time, do not cause a loss of motive power and have not resulted in any fatalities, injuries or serious crashes (there were three reported property damage incidents resulting in minor body damage in very low speed, parking maneuvers).volkswagen addressed this problem in the field with a customer service program that includes the replacement of potentially affected mechatronic units as well
PE09035
What 2009 Audi A3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I had purchased the car back in August 17th 2021 my power steering my brakes my airbag light and the fuel system fuel leak started happening all at once water was draining out of the middle of the engine . It overheating the engine speed ball down and I automatically I instantly pulled over and turned it off and towed it home 2 days after I bought it. these are also recalls my Audi 2009-a3 2.0 tfsi s tronic has been sitting in my friends driveway for 7 months now because I cannot take the car anywhere I cannot move the car anywhere I cannot start the car and I don't know what else to do so I do need your help I should be eligible it says my VIN number matches the eligible subject vehicle my VIN number is in your system but my car is not showing up it shows up but it's not showing up as a recall or included in the class action settlement if you have any questions please call me [XXX] at [XXX] if you have any input thank you. I do love my Audi I love it very much the day I got to drive it and the only day I got to drive it I was very happy I thought with it until I get it fixed I will not be happy again INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
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 dramatic reduction on vehicle speed almost causing the vehicle traveling behind me to rear end me. Once stopped the car will only engage when put on D and will stay at a low gear causing the RPMs to red line even at low speeds making it unsafe to drive due to only being able to reach 5 to 10 MPH. A scan was performed and codes P1814 Press. Ctrl. Valve 1 Open circuit/short implausible signal, and, P1835 Press. Ctrl. Valve 5 Short circuit to B+. This fault is random and there is no warning or indication of when it may happen making the vehicle unsafe at any speed.
The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the dsg may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped by the connector supplier during a limited production period. With insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the clutch to open and can cause the driver to perceive that the transmission has shifted into neutral. If this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash. In addition, the depress brake pedal indicator light will be illuminated, alerting the driver to apply the brakes. In heavy traffic, this could lead to a crash without warning.
Purchased car in 2010 with around 10,000 miles on it. A few months after purchasing, check engine light would illuminate, vehicle would have a noticeable decrease in power and not accelerate over about 40mph. Sometimes after shutting car off and restarting problem would go away, other times it would not. Vehicle taken to audi dealership car purchased from for repair and initially reported as sensor problem and repaired. Couple weeks after repair car would have same problem, so taken back to dealership and again repaired sensor(s). Within about the first year after purchasing, issue happened multiple (+/-5) times after dealership 'repaired' what they thought was the problem at the particular time. After about 5/6 times of this happening dealership took a more in depth attempt at figuring out what problem really was, telling me they were working directly with audi & their mechanics to find and fix the actual defect. Car was in shop for around 3 months for this repair, which they determined was electrical and decided to rewire the entire car. In the meantime, I moved out of state to start graduate school. I finally got it back a few months later after having to pay to ship it to me and for a rental while waiting. Within a few months, car once again had same exact problem. Took to new local dealership who also diagnosed issue as sensor(s) & 'repaired' them. Continued to have same problem every few weeks, would take into dealer for repair, get it back, have problem, take to dealership, etc. Dealership would not address car overall being defective, they'd avoid contact, not return calls, hangup etc. Car eventually traded in for new make when warranty expired.
Driving 30 minutes into the highway, the vehicle decided to shift into neutral while the vehicle was in "d" drive and in motion. The "prnds" started flashing on my dash, while not letting me accelerate going 65mph. I had to quickly slowdown, and pull over to the emergency lane. The vehicle seems to have gone into "limp mode". After turning off the vehicle and turning it back on, it drove just fine. This happened once more 2 days ago. Seems like it could be the transmission control unit, however dealer cant determine the fault without a code. Scared to drive the vehicle now.
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.
While in drive and starting to accelerate in a traffic light the transmission got stuck in a gear while making a turn. Prdns lights started flashing and suddenly when in to neutral. It has happen several times now where I go from parking to reverse and then drive. All prdns start flashing and car does not respond to any gear.
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 well.
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.
Questions about the 2009 Audi A3 transmission
Does the 2009 Audi A3 have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the transmission of the 2009 Audi A3, 32% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2009 Audi A3 transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 61,500 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Audi A3 transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 09V333000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Audi A3 have bad transmission?
The Audi A3 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2006 (37 complaints), 2007 (16 complaints) and 2009 (15 complaints).
Other 2009 Audi A3 problems
Airbags 22Brakes 9Engine 6Electrical 5Driver assistance 4Lights 2Acceleration 1Body 1
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