2012 Audi A3 problems
The 2012 Audi A3 was sold with 3 engines and 2 gearboxes that we have documented: the DSG7 DQ200 gearbox, the 2.0 TSI / TFSI, the 1.6 TDI, the DSG6 DQ250 gearbox and the 2.0 TDI. The DSG7 DQ200 gearbox, the 2.0 TSI / TFSI, the 1.6 TDI and the DSG6 DQ250 gearbox have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 2.0 TDI (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as isolated failure of the electromechanical power steering module.
2012 Audi A3 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 17 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine6.3From 4.8 to 7.9 depending on the engine
- Gearbox6.8Manual: no faults · DSG7 DQ200: 4.1 · DSG6 DQ250: 6.4
- Suspension8.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
- Brakes8.11 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering8.91 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Electrical system8.61 fault
- Headlights and lights8.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior7.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.2 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
DSG7 DQ200 gearbox in the 2012 Audi A3
Names: 1.2 TFSI S tronic · 1.4 TFSI S tronic · 1.6 TDI S tronic
- With caution
DSG7 DQ200 0AM (2008-2013)
· 0AM
This is the generation with the most documented mechatronic and clutch problems, and the one that accounts for the service actions acknowledged by the manufacturer; it is only advisable if you verify the service history, if the 2013 oil campaign has already been carried out and if there are no fault codes stored in the gearbox control unit.[1][4][5][6]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentElectronicsMechatronic unit failure: pressure accumulator, pump and cracked housingYes: the mechatronic unit is the DQ200's most cited weak point. Its pressure accumulator and hydraulic pump can fail because of a housing design defect, with fault warnings, limp mode or loss of drive; Volkswagen has acknowledged the problem with service actions and software updates.Repair (garage): €600–€2,200
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonClutchPremature dry clutch wear and judder when drivingYes: the DQ200's dry clutch wears out sooner than a wet one, especially in stop-start urban traffic. It warns of its condition with judder or jerking when pulling away, slipping when accelerating and, in advanced cases, a burning smell; specialists put its service life at between 120,000 and 180,000 km depending on use.Repair (garage): €500–€1,100Appears at around 120,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonTransmissionReverse and 6th gear selector fork bearing failureYes, mainly on 0AM units: the bearing that guides the reverse and 6th gear selector fork can wear and leave the fork unsupported, so that the car stops engaging those gears or loses reverse, with fault warnings in the instrument cluster.
2.0 TSI / TFSI engine in the 2012 Audi A3
Names: 2.0 TFSI · S3 · 40 TFSI
- With caution
2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 2/3, with Valvelift and direct injection only (2012-2016, 180-230 hp)
180–224 hp · CAEA, CDNB, CAEB, CDNC, CESA, CHHB, CULC, CNCD
Oil consumption improves compared with the previous generation according to the owner data collected, but carbon on the valves and coolant leaks from the thermostat housing are points to check.[9][10][11]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonLubricationHigh oil consumptionIt is the most repeated complaint on first-batch EA888s (2008-2012) and still appears, to a lesser extent, in later generations. The engine needs topping up between services with no visible leak or obvious smoke at first.Repair (garage): €1,500–€4,000
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valvesBecause the fuel is injected directly into the cylinder, no petrol washes over the intake valves, so oil residue and soot build up and, over the years, restrict airflow and affect engine response.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonCoolingThermostat housing leak and water pump failureSince Volkswagen integrated the water pump impeller into the thermostat housing, this plastic part leaks coolant over time; on the oldest units, with a separate belt-driven pump, failures of the pump itself are also documented.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationPCV valve (crankcase ventilation) failureThe PCV valve returns to the intake manifold the oil and combustion vapours that build up in the crankcase. If it sticks closed or open, it causes a rough idle, misfires or oil leaks from the seals.Repair (garage): €60–€250
1.6 TDI engine in the 2012 Audi A3
Names: 30 TDI
- Buy
1.6 TDI EA288 (from 2012)
80–120 hp · DGTC, CLHB, CXXA, DDYB, CLHA, CXXB, DBKA, CRKB, DDYA, DGTE, DCXA, DCZA
The sources we consulted on dieselgate focus on the EA189 engines; we have found no indication that the EA288 is singled out in the same way. The main thing to watch is that the timing belt and the water pump have been changed on time.[13][14]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt and water pumpThe 1.6 TDI drives its timing with a toothed belt. It is common for the water pump to be changed together with the kit: if the pump seizes first, it can drag the belt with it, with a risk of breakage and serious cylinder head damage.Repair (garage): €400–€1,500
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve clogged with carbon depositsThe EGR valve accumulates carbon deposits, especially on short urban trips, until it seizes and no longer seals or opens precisely. The engine loses power and jerks; cleaning the valve costs considerably less than replacing it.Repair (garage): €100–€1,000
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged particulate filter (DPF)In urban use and on short trips, the particulate filter does not complete regeneration and becomes saturated with soot. The DPF warning light comes on and, if ignored, the car may enter limp mode with a loss of power.Repair (garage): €200–€3,000
DSG6 DQ250 gearbox in the 2012 Audi A3
Names: 1.8/2.0 TFSI S tronic · 2.0 TDI S tronic
- With caution
DSG6 DQ250 (02E, 2003-2023)
· 02E
It is a gearbox with a good general reputation for reliability, but it is worth checking the service history (in particular, whether the gearbox oil change has been carried out), making sure there are no fault codes stored in the mechatronic unit and taking a test drive from cold and when warm before buying.[3][15][16]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsMechatronic unit failure: solenoid valves and temperature sensorYes, although less than on the dry-clutch DQ200: the DQ250 mechatronic unit can fail because of defective solenoid valves or an incorrect reading of the clutch temperature, with limp mode, harsh shifts or fault warnings on the dashboard. Volkswagen recalled vehicles in the US and Australia in 2009 for this reason.Repair (garage): €850–€3,100
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonClutchWet clutch pack wear: slipping and vibrationsYes: although the oil bath makes it last longer than the dry clutch of the DQ200, the DQ250's wet clutch pack also wears with use, especially on cars driven hard. It warns you with vibrations or jerks when pulling away and in traffic jams, and with slipping when accelerating hard.Repair (garage): €450–€850
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTransmissionDual-mass flywheel wear on the engines paired with the DQ250It is common wear on the turbo engines paired with the DQ250 (Golf GTI/R, Cupra, RS, S3, TT), not a defect exclusive to the gearbox: the dual-mass flywheel damps engine vibrations and, over the years, its springs and bearings wear, with a metallic noise at idle and vibrations as the first warnings.Repair (garage): €700–€1,300
2.0 TDI engine in the 2012 Audi A3
Names: 2.0 TDI 150 · 2.0 TDI 184 · 35 TDI · 40 TDI
- Buy
2.0 TDI EA288 (from 2012)
110–240 hp · CRBC, CUNA, CUPA, CRLB, CRMB, DFEA, DFEB, DFFA, DFGA, DDAA, DFCA, CUAA
Caradisiac picks it as the best diesel in the third-generation Audi A3. Its most cited fault is coolant loss from water pump leaks, easy to keep an eye on before buying.[18]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
The Audi A3 III 2.0 TDI: all its faults and what to checkFaults outside the engine in the 2012 Audi A3
- Critical severityFrequency: RareSteeringIsolated failure of the electromechanical power steering moduleThe owner of a 2018 A3 Select 1.4 TSI documents a complete lock-up of the power steering at only 800 km, which the dealer acknowledged as a factory defect and repaired under warranty; there is no evidence that it is a widespread pattern, only one documented isolated case.Repair: €0
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemDiffuse electrical faults: central locking, electric windows and false warning lightsSeveral owners and a specialist garage document scattered electrical faults on the A3: the central locking stops responding to the key fob, the electric windows jam or work intermittently, and the instrument cluster even shows incorrect data or warning lights with no real fault behind them.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesABS/ESP warning light on because of sensors, with no real brake faultSeveral owners and a specialist garage document the ABS or ESP warning light coming on intermittently or permanently on the A3 with no real fault in the brakes, almost always because of a faulty wheel speed sensor.
Buying a 2012 Audi A3?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Audi A3 reliable?
The 2012 Audi A3 was sold with 3 engines and 2 gearboxes that we have documented: the DSG7 DQ200 gearbox, the 2.0 TSI / TFSI, the 1.6 TDI, the DSG6 DQ250 gearbox and the 2.0 TDI. The DSG7 DQ200 gearbox, the 2.0 TSI / TFSI, the 1.6 TDI and the DSG6 DQ250 gearbox have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 2.0 TDI (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as isolated failure of the electromechanical power steering module.
What is the best year for the Audi A3?
According to our score, the best is 2017 (6.9/10). The year with the worst score is 2012 (6.4/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 Audi A3 have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: isolated failure of the electromechanical power steering module (steering, critical severity), mechatronic unit failure: pressure accumulator, pump and cracked housing (DSG7 DQ200 gearbox, high severity), high oil consumption (2.0 TSI / TFSI, high severity), timing belt and water pump (1.6 TDI, high severity) and mechatronic unit failure: solenoid valves and temperature sensor (DSG6 DQ250 gearbox, high severity).
Own a 2012 Audi A3? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- DSG7 DQ200: Guía Técnica Definitiva (P17BF, Mecatrónica y Soluciones)STR Performance · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fallo en la mecatrónica de la caja DSG: Ojo a estos modelosGT Autos · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- DSG Gearboxes: Complete Guide to DQ200, DQ250, DQ381, DQ400e, DQ500, DL501 & DSG 6, 7 and 8 SpeedsSTR Performance · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
- Doppelkupplungsgetriebe: DQ200 - Das große Problem des VW-KonzernsHandelsblatt · General press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Probleme mit VW-DSG: Kein offizieller Rückruf von VolkswagenAuto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- 7 Speed DSG Gearbox Problems | Mechatronic Faults | DSG Clutch PackEco Torque · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
- Volkswagen EA888 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
- Audi A3 - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
- Fiabilité Volkswagen (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Audi (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Témoignages fiabilité Audifiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra la correa de distribuciónMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- VW, Skoda & Seat DSG Probleme: alle 6 und 7-Gang DQ GetriebeCarwiki · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- Reparar DSG en España: Precios RealesTCA - Tu Cambio Automático · Technical documentation · published 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
- Fiabilité de l'Audi A3 (3e génération) : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 December 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French