This complaint relates to a tdi version of the audi a3. While driving my kids to school, the car stopped dead and would not restart. On inspection by an audi dealer it was determined that the high pressure fuel pump had failed. The pump failure caused metal particles from the pump itself to circulate in the fuel system doing catastrophic damage to the fuel system and power train. As of this date, the car has been in the shop for repair longer than two weeks with no estimated date of completion. We experienced a similar catastrophic fuel pump failure with our audi q7 tdi in june of 2012 which required a new engine, fuel system and other parts (see odi # 10480946). According to the dealer, the reason for the delay in repairing the a3 relates to the large number of cars with similar fuel system failures which has caused a scarcity of parts. We have been told by the dealer that this same problem is happening to tdi vehicles from both volkswagen and audi. I am no engineer, but widespread fuel system failures seem potentially dangerous to drivers and their passengers. This problem deserves an investigation.
2010 Audi A3 fuel system complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 19 of 19, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I own a 2010 audi a3 tdi. I was driving on a city street in normal traffic, began feeling hesitation/jerking in the engine, then the "glow plug" light came on just before the engine stopped running. Ultimately the car stalled within 30 seconds following initial hesitation in a moving lane of traffic. I was barely able to get the car to coast up into a parking lot to safety and had to be towed into the dealer. It was in for repair for approximately one week. Metal shavings were found in the fuel filter initially then throughout the entire fuel system, including the fuel tank which also had to be replaced. Servicemen first suspected I had accidentally put unleaded in it which was absolutely not the case though I have heard from other owners who were accused of the same and forced to pay out of pocket for repair. I am the only driver and only go to highest quality stations with labels of "ultra-low sulfur diesel". If it doesn't state that then I have gone elsewhere. Everything fuel-related was replaced under warranty. Repairmen were unable to tell me how the metal shavings came about though they were insistent it wouldn't happen again. I have serious doubts since they did report, after I questioned them, that the exact same parts replaced the old ones. I am a high mileage driver which is why I purchased a diesel engine. My warranty will soon expire. When the same issue occurs again, if I still own the vehicle, I guess I will have to come out of pocket over $8000 which was the estimate on paper from the dealer. I hope audi further investigates the problem very soon and issues a recall so I can have peace of mind! *tr
In 30-35 MPH traffic, glow-plug light began flashing. I pulled over, checked the manual, and called the dealership. I was told the car was safe to drive, and was given a service appointment for the following morning. Upon restarting the car, I noticed not only the flashing glow-plug light, but the check-engine light, which had come on as well. Also, when I pulled out, power seemed limited and acceleration difficult. Now on a two lane country road with no shoulder, I called the dealership again, and was told to stop the car immediately and have it towed in. Since I was close to home, and unable to find a good place to stop, I drove home. The following morning, the car would not start, and audi sent a tow truck. The car was not looked at for 24 hours (tdi-trained mechanics in a meeting or some such), but on thursday I got a report. The fuel pump had failed catastrophically, sending metal debris throughout the fuel system. Total replacement of the fuel system was required, including the fuel tank. The first-suspected cause -contaminated fuel- had been ruled out. I was told the failure was a 1-in-100,000 fluke, but nothing about the fact that there had been over 100 complaints to the federal safety agency as of early 2011, prompting an the federal safety agency investigation. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
2010 audi a3 tdi high pressure fuel pump failure at 10,000 mi.
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.
While driving on to a free way on ramp at about 25-30mph, the engine indicator come on and started to flash, almost immediately the car stall in the middle of moving traffic. I did my best to steer the car into a safe area with no power steering before it came to a complete stop. I tried cranking the engine a couple of times but it would not restart. This is a very dangerous situation to be in, with fast moving vehicles passing by at high speed, I was lucky enough that I did not get rear ended or cause an accident. Towed the car to audi of los angeles but it was already closed. They looked at it the next morning and found metal shavings in the diesel filter pod. They told me that the pump might gave out, they have to send fuel samples to get it analyze. This car is only a year old, how can the pump,fail already?
Driving on local street at ~35mph, car suddenly would not accelerate, loss power, then stalled. Unable to restart engine.
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.
2010 audi a-3 tdi (diesel) stalled while driving on freeway. Will not start. Towed to stevens creek audi, ca.
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