2010 Audi A3: sudden loss of power

9 of the 50 complaints about the 2010 Audi A3 describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints: 9
of this car's complaints: 18%
typical mileage: 30,150
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 146 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

2024
1
2023
1
2019
1
2018
2
2017
1
2016
1
2015
2
2013
1
2012
3
2011
2
2010
9
2007
2
2006
8
2001
1

What owners say

Filed Nov 7, 2014 · Fuel system · 60,000 miles · CA

While departing a parking lot onto a primary road, the check engine light illuminated and the glow plug light began flashing; the car immediately began losing power. I returned to parking and the car was towed to an audi dealership where they diagnosed the problem as a failed high pressure fuel pump.

Filed Jul 5, 2014 · Fuel system · 19,500 miles · IL

On my way to work my car stalled /lost power ,glow plug light went on then I couldn't restart my car. I had to tow my car to my dealer where I bought my car. The next day they called me that they have to order alot of parts and replace entire fuel system: fuel pump, hpfp, fuel line injectors and seals and they have to clean the tank! I would like to inform you that I am the original owner and only me was using that car. I have never used anything but high quality diesel fuel from shell gas station located on dempster street in skokie,il. I buy ulsd once a month and have all the receipts from this year ( and if necessary from day one from my bank credit card history) because of this I am 100% sure that any claim that I used wrong fuel is without base. If the ultralow sulfur diesel fuel recommended by car manufacturers doesn't much specification this should be resolved before putting diesel car on the market.I would like to mention that all maintenance on my car was done on time at authorized dealerships.I change oil every 4k miles instead 10k as manufacturer recommending my audis' warranty expires next month and I hope that audi will extended my warranty for another 4 years/50k miles!!! If not I have to get rid of my car that I was planning to keep for long time. Bad hpfp craftsmanship and design should be corrected as soon as possible if audi/vw wants to sell diesel cars in us!

Filed Mar 9, 2014 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · CA

Check vehicle (coil) light flashed. Vehicle lost power and stalled while driving on california hwy 1. Was able to coast vehicle to safe place. Dealer diagnosed failed diesel fuel pump, said pump was disintegrated. Service advisor advised that entire fuel system would be replaced by audi.

Filed May 15, 2013 · Fuel system · 57,000 miles · CA

Was driving along at highway speeds when glow bulb indicator came on immediately followed by loss of power to accelerator. Was able to get off the highway after about 4 miles and car then experienced complete engine failure and was rolled to the side of the road. Engine would not turn over after two attempts to restart the engine. Car was towed to local service at audi dealership. Service department from local dealership described the cause of engine failure was due to metal filings found throughout the fuel system caused either by fuel pump failure, or bad batch of diesel fuel.

Filed Apr 30, 2012 · Engine · 30,150 miles · VA

While driving on local roads, engine lost power and stopped running suddenly. I was able to restart the car after a minute or so and continued my trip to work. Car is an automatic and the engine just quit like a manual left in gear at a stop sign...a shudder then nothing. Not sure if relevant, but I could only restart the car after completely turning it off and removing the key.

Filed Aug 5, 2011 · Fuel system · 50,611 miles · NJ

Our 2010 audi a3 tdi deisel lost power while traveling at 65 MPH on an interstate highway. After pulling over, we were unable to restart the car. The car was towed to an audi dealer who informed us that the fuel pump had failed due to "contaminated fuel". We had put brand name diesel into the tank on every refill and have the receipts to prove it.

Filed Mar 28, 2011 · Fuel system · 13,500 miles · CA

Driving on local street at ~35mph, car suddenly would not accelerate, loss power, then stalled. Unable to restart engine.

Filed Feb 3, 2011 · Fuel system · 19,000 miles · CA

Driving home after dark on a local boulevard at about 45 MPH in our audi a3 tdi. Vehicle suddenly lost all engine power. Engine shut down completely. Was able to coast to side of road. Vehicle would not restart. Vehicle was towed to dealer. Dealer determined that the high pressure fuel pump "exploded" and quit working. This failure circulated metal particles through the vehicle fuel system. They are still reviewing with the audi, but dealer said that this happened to another tdi not long ago and audi had them replace the entire fuel system from the fuel tank to the injectors. Vehicle is stall at dealer waiting on parts. If this had happened on the highway in traffic I don't believe I could have coasted to the shoulder and would have been stalled in traffic.

Filed Jul 2, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 1,700 miles · CA

There is an intermittent sudden, and brief loss of acceleration from a complete stop. This has happen twice. The car has been driven less than 2,000. One time the power loss was from a traffic light. I started to move, there was a pause and quickly the power returned. The same behavior happened pulling out of a parking spot into traffic. This occurrence created a dangerous situation. This is an a3 tdi (clean diesel model).