Audi A3 2005–2013 — technical service bulletin
Bulletin A401228 2031722- · NHTSA communication 10122680 · issued Dec 19, 2012
Technical service bulletin
communication type
Structure
component
2005–2013
model years
9
vehicle entries
Official summary
Customer may report creaking and squeaking noises from front axle when driving at low temperatures on rough/bumpy/uneven roads. The customer complaint can be reproduced. The sound comes from the rubber and metal mounting of the front track control arms. The rubber lip of the rubber metal mounting rubs on the collar of the control arm. The resulting stickslip effect creates this sound, which does not affect the service life and function of the components. This is a normal condition. Track control arm bushings that are completely cracked through should be replaced.
Vehicles covered
What a TSB means. Technical service bulletins are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls, and repairs are not automatically free (warranty extensions are an exception worth checking). The full document is available via NHTSA’s vehicle lookup.