DSG transmission will abruptly shift down to first gear and would not respond in any other gear. The shift indicator in the dashboard will light up and blink and the check engine light will come on. There are no warnings before this happens and it will happen at random times. It has happen in separate occasions while traveling at different speeds. When this happens while traveling it creates a dramatic reduction on vehicle speed almost causing the vehicle traveling behind me to rear end me. Once stopped the car will only engage when put on D and will stay at a low gear causing the RPMs to red line even at low speeds making it unsafe to drive due to only being able to reach 5 to 10 MPH. A scan was performed and codes P1814 Press. Ctrl. Valve 1 Open circuit/short implausible signal, and, P1835 Press. Ctrl. Valve 5 Short circuit to B+. This fault is random and there is no warning or indication of when it may happen making the vehicle unsafe at any speed.

- Gastonia, NC, USA

Purchased car in 2010 with around 10,000 miles on it. A few months after purchasing, check engine light would illuminate, vehicle would have a noticeable decrease in power and not accelerate over about 40mph. Sometimes after shutting car off and restarting problem would go away, other times it would not. Vehicle taken to Audi dealership car purchased from for repair and initially reported as sensor problem and repaired. Couple weeks after repair car would have same problem, so taken back to dealership and again repaired sensor(s). Within about the first year after purchasing, issue happened multiple (+/-5) times after dealership 'repaired' what they thought was the problem at the particular time. After about 5/6 times of this happening dealership took a more in depth attempt at figuring out what problem really was, telling me they were working directly with Audi & their mechanics to find and fix the actual defect. Car was in shop for around 3 months for this repair, which they determined was electrical and decided to rewire the entire car. In the meantime, I moved out of state to start graduate school. I finally got it back a few months later after having to pay to ship it to me and for a rental while waiting. Within a few months, car once again had same exact problem. Took to new local dealership who also diagnosed issue as sensor(s) & 'repaired' them. Continued to have same problem every few weeks, would take into dealer for repair, get it back, have problem, take to dealership, etc. Dealership would not address car overall being defective, they'd avoid contact, not return calls, hangup etc. Car eventually traded in for new make when warranty expired.

- Chicago, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Audi A3. The contact stated that the ABS and stability control failed to function properly and made the vehicle unstable to drive. Bell Audi (782 us-1, Edison, NJ 08817, (732) 388-2800) and the manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 16V913000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electronic stability control); although, the vehicle exhibited the same failure as the recall campaign. The dealer diagnosed that the ABS control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired; however, a system issue occurred with the software update. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Elizabeth, NJ, USA

Problem is blinking headlights and interior lights when brakes applied. At night it is more pronounced and results in a flashing effect as brakes are used. Considered unsafe to be flashing lights at night. Have taken the car to dealer multiple times but they say it is within spec and all 2009 Audi A3 cars with halogen lamps exhibit this.

- Apopka, FL, USA