My son was driving my 2011 audi a3 tdi to the gym at night when he called me the car would not accelerate and had a warning light come on. I told him to google it and he found out it was a glow plug indicator. I told him to continue driving it in the limp mode. The car died while moving and my son was able to coast into a parking lot. This could of been a different story on a busy interstate. I had to pick him up and had the car towed in the morning. To find out this car is notorious for catastrophic high pressure fuel pump failure and that is exactly what happened. When I say catastrophic, metal is shredded and goes into the injectors and contaminates everything that carries fuel. It is about a 7k to 8k repair. I have used nothing but low sulfur diesel. It's ridiculous a recall hasn't been issued to prevent this issue. Since this happened I have found complaints scattered throughout the internet.
2011 Audi A3: fuel pump failure
6 of the 43 complaints about the 2011 Audi A3 describe fuel pump failure.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 42,000
- recalls
- 1
Fuel pump failure by model year
What owners say
I was at the tail end of a 400 mile trip-all freeway driving. After exiting the freeway, the car was slowly losing power. The glow plug light came on. Car stalled after 1/2 mile. I tried to restart it. It would not start. The glow plug and check engine light were on. Towed to dealership to find the high pressure fuel pump send metal into my fuel system and engine. I have just over 50,000 miles on the car. The repair is covered due to the faulty part. Audi should have to take the car back because they knew about this problem. Instead of doing a recall, they allowed the car to be driven and now my engine is affected. I tried to arrange a trade-in at a local subaru dealership and they offered me low blue book minus $10,000. My car is not only undesirable, but worthless.
The vehicle started loosing power and stalling. The engine light came up. I took the car the dealer. They diagnosed the problem as a high-pressure fuel pump that has disintegrated and damaged the entire fuel system.
My a3 2011 audi 2.0 tdi diesel would not start in a parking lot. Not the battery: towed to the dealer. The dealer in honolulu,hi says I need the entire fuel system ( tank,lines, 2 fuel pumps ) replaced due to 'glitter like' particles in the fuel line. Fuel is being sent for analysis. I am using the recommended brand of diesel fuel ( shell ) . Fortunately I was not moving. Several other complaints list sudden engine failure due to fuel pump failure. Also fortunately, it is still under warranty.
Fuel pump imploded and sent shrapnel throughout the entire fuel system. Everything had to be replaced.
1) normal driving. 2) fuel pump failure resulting in total fuel system failure. 3) fuel pump and entire fuel delivery system replaced.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen is recalling certain model 2009-2012 jetta and jetta sportwagen vehicles, manufactured from may 2008 through september 2011, model year 2010-2012 volkswagen golf vehicles, manufactured from may 2009 through september 2011, and model year 2010-2012 audi a3 vehicles, manufactured from september 2009 through september 2011, that are equipped with a 2.0l tdi common rail diesel engine/clean diesel engine. The fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the injector line #2, in specific load and RPM conditions. This resonance creates additional stress in the fuel line.
- Risk
- Due to the resonance condition, injector line number 2 could develop small cracks which could lead to fuel leakage. Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source, may lead to a fire.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will install an improved fuel injector line for the number 2 cylinder on certain vehicles and will install vibration dampers on all of the injector lines. Volkswagen and audi will notify owners to have the vehicles repaired free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during november 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 11V490000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2011 Audi A3 fuel pump
Is fuel pump failure a common problem on the 2011 Audi A3?
6 of 43 owner complaints about the 2011 Audi A3 (14%) mention fuel pump failure. The model year with the most reports is 2010.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Audi A3?
There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2011 Audi A3
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2011 Audi A3?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history