Audi A3 loss of power problems

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

On XXX while driving my 2024 Audi A3 at highway speeds on a live freeway, the vehicle suffered a sudden and catastrophic electrical system failure. The dashboard immediately displayed critical warning indicators, including "Electrical Malfunction" and "Battery Malfunction” and “Drive system Malfunction.” Without further warning, the vehicle's engine completely stalled and shut down while moving in active traffic. Due to the total loss of electrical power, the vehicle immediately lost all power steering assistance and power braking assistance, causing the steering wheel and brake pedal to severely stiffen and become nearly unresponsive. I was forced to navigate a rolling, unpowered vehicle across highway lanes without steering or braking assistance to reach safety, creating a severe and life-threatening hazard to myself, my [XXX] son that was in the vehicle and other motorists. The vehicle currently has approximately 60,000 miles. This sudden shutdown mirrors the well-documented Belt Starter Generator (BSG) and alternator manufacturing defects that Audi has previously acknowledged and recalled in other model lines, but which are clearly actively failing in 2024 model year vehicles as well. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 5, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

Dealer is refusing to acknowledge the known BSG defect (TSB 2058831/13) and is instead attempting to charge for secondary electrical failures (ABS/AC) caused by the primary charging system failure. 2023 Audi A3 2.0T, VIN [XXX] . Recurring 48V BSG (Belt Starter Generator) failure causing complete loss of power steering and brake assist. First documented under warranty October 29, 2025 at 45,500 miles at Audi Livermore (RO #XXX) — 48V battery at 0%, fault code P0A7D00. Dealer only recharged battery and erased codes without replacing BSG. Vehicle became completely undriveable March 22, 2026 with cascading electrical failures including CELO state, ABS failure, and complete loss of power steering and brake assist — a dangerous safety condition. Vehicle has been at Audi Livermore since March 26, 2026 — 40 days — unrepaired. Audi is now attempting to charge $3,751.70 for consequential faults caused by the unrepaired BSG. Open Audi Corporate Case #XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Fuel system · 65,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that on several occasions, while adding fuel to the vehicle, there was a clicking sound before the fuel started spilling onto the ground from the filler neck. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the dealer stated that the failure might be associated with a breather issue within the fuel tank and that the breather part might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle suddenly jerked, lost power, and a rattling sound came from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, there was a leak underneath the driver’s side rear wheel and a trail of condensation coming from the fuel tank, extending outside of the vehicle on the floor of the garage. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed May 20, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · MN

I was driving on the freeway at 60 mph when I received a warning code of a transmission problem. The code said the car was driveable but I should take it in for service. About 1-2 minutes after that the car lost all power. Unfortunately I broke down in the left lane in a construction zone without a shoulder. The state patrol had to temporarily shut down all three lanes of the highway to push me out of the traffic lane I was blocking. That was unsafe for me and for the state patrol and for the tow truck driver. The car was up to date on all recommended service, had been acting normally until the moment it failed, had not given me any warnings and is only 6 years old. I had the car towed to the dealer and the dealer reported that the Mechatronic unit (transmission computer) failed. Replacing the Mechatronic took a week and cost $5000.

Filed Dec 31, 2024 · Electrical · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the Electronic Power Control System (EPC light) malfunctioned, and the vehicle lost power. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power, the temperature gauge raised with the radiator fan activated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle restarted immediately. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The check engine warning light and the electronic power control system warning light was illuminating on and off. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 22, 2024 · Fuel system · NC

Shortly after starting the car, and while exiting a parking lot, the car stalled and lost engine power. I was able to start the car back up for long enough to be able to pull back into the parking lot however after the car got parked the engine refused to start and stay running for the next hour. After a check using OBD11, the codes were showing the cause of the original problem was low fuel pressure which ended up causing misfires. The only way I was able to get the car running and staying running was by purging the system repeatedly by turning on the ignition without starting the car. This has all happened once before while I was driving at relatively low speeds (around 25 MPH) in a town, and I had to go through the same process. No warning lights show for the first multiple attempts at starting the car until it consistently fails to start. No inspections have taken place.

Filed Mar 16, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 10,000 miles · WA

Engine stalls while accelerating from a stop. This condition has been dangerous. Car has been to the audi dealer 3 times to remedy the problem. That cannot diagnose the issue. It is going in for a 4th time april 12th 2021. This issue is extremely dangerous. The car will lose power and stall as you are pulling out into traffic. Happens daily.

Filed Feb 17, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 40,000 miles · OH

On initial start, occasionally the car will become inactive while driving (sometimes stalls/sputters & sometimes just doesn't advance even while pressing on the gas pedal). Often the car spontaneously responds within seconds if it has not stalled, but recently now it stalls and sputters, then needs to be restarted. I was pulling out of a parking lot into traffic with safe distance, when the car became "dormant" and stalled. Luckily, there was a center lane that I could coast into to avoid causing a serious accident. Upon restarting the vehicle, the screen displayed "start/stop system: malfunction". I shut off the system and drove home. The next morning, the car did the same exact thing- had just started up the car and began driving- and it lost all power to the gas pedal/we almost came to a complete stop- but the car was still running, then it quickly reset itself. This time my service engine soon light came on. I called the dealer and took it in for service. I was told that it was bad gas and that I needed to take it to certain gas stations -marathon or shell only and only put premium fuel in it (although the manual states that I can use 87 or 89). The car is unsafe and is dangerous to drive. I am putting myself and my occupants in danger and also the lives of others around me. I understand that there is a class action law suit that was filed in 2020- this cannot wait- there must be a recall- someone will get seriously hurt or even die because of this.

Filed Jun 9, 2020 · Fuel system · 12,946 miles · NJ

I was driving on nj turnpike on a 75 mile trip back home and after into 55 miles of the trip, the vehicle completely lost power.. I was going about 65 miles or so and it was extremely scary and dangerous. With the grace of god, I was able to use the momentum to make it to a side lane between the travel lanes and merge lane off of the ramp, the are car lost so much power and trying to maneuvering around traffic that I was not even able to make it to the safety side lane. The car has to be towed to the exit. Audi took it to their local dealer. The car is a 2019 model with 12946 miles on the odometer. The vehicle was towed to audi dealer in freehold nj and I understand from the tow driver that day before same make and model, year of another similar vehicle with the exact same problem has been towed to audi in edison nj.

Filed Jul 4, 2017 · Electrical, Fuel system · 78,800 miles · NM

Loss of power at any time without warning the car will lose power while in motion, on a highway, just driving down a street or turning. Almost rear ended several times.