RoadVitals

2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
36
Latest Jun 26, 2024
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Apr 12, 2016

What this page shows

Our database holds 36 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 36 · page 1 of 2

Airbags
Filed Jun 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer, where it was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, Audi Richmond (12592 Broad St., Richmond, VA 23233), where it was determined that the module connected to the sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ID
11597002
Incident
Jun 10, 2024
Mileage
35,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving at unknown speed the message, "Oil Level Sensor System Fault" was displayed. The message was display on several occasions while the contact was driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the mechanic stated that several fault codes were displayed. The mechanic informed the contact that replacing the sensor might fix the failure and the part was replaced. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to stall, and the message was displayed again. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle for the vehicle to operate as needed. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic where the failure was unknown, and the mechanic had the vehicle taken to a different mechanic. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the gear shifter had failed to shift from park when the vehicle was started. The contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be towed to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,500.

NHTSA ID
11580553
Incident
Feb 24, 2024
Mileage
100,500 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 30, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds and making a U-turn, the "Steering Defect; Do Not Drive" message was displayed. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The steering wheel turned in the other direction when the vehicle struck the curb. While making a left turn, the steering wheel pulled hard to the right. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

NHTSA ID
11541630
Incident
Aug 29, 2023
Mileage
147,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle drove over a massive pothole in the roadway. The contact pulled over to assess the vehicle and discovered that the front passenger’s rim had detached the vehicle. Additionally, the oil pan was punctured, causing oil to leak from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to his residence where it remained in his possession. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 63,000.

NHTSA ID
11517382
Incident
Apr 16, 2023
Mileage
63,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, gasoline sprayed out from the fuel filler neck. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed of a malfunction with the filler neck. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 8,000.

NHTSA ID
11507697
Incident
Feb 1, 2023
Mileage
8,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 19, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated the front passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11480115
Incident
Jul 1, 2021
Airbags
Filed Aug 12, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11479028
Incident
Mar 22, 2021
Electrical
Filed Aug 12, 2022

2016 AUDI A3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE GAS GAUGE. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED AUDI SAFETY RECALL 20Y5. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXHIBTED THE SAME FAILURE BUT, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A LOCAL MECHANICS SHOP. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE INCLUDED IN AND REIMBURSED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR

NHTSA ID
11478951
Incident
Aug 12, 2022
Airbags
Filed Jul 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repair. The contact stated that the warning message "System Failure - Replace Sensor" would illuminate and the seat belt chime reminder would engage whenever the front passenger’s seat was unoccupied and the seat belt was not buckled. The dealer was notified and informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11472867
Incident
Jul 7, 2022
Mileage
42,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 6, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11463661
Incident
Mar 22, 2021
Airbags
Filed Apr 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer twice for regular maintenance and was notified both times that parts for the recall were not yet available. The contact also stated that the passenger’s side air bag light had illuminated on the instrument panel. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11460153
Incident
Mar 1, 2021
Airbags
Filed Jan 3, 2022

The contact and his wife own a 2016 Audi A3. The contact had received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted and informed that the parts remained unavailable despite the letter that stated otherwise. The contact also stated that the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) was inactive and that the passenger air bag warning light had illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11445944
Incident
Feb 1, 2021
Mileage
20,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 8, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated, and the State Inspector informed her that the vehicle would fail inspection if the recall repair was not completed. The dealer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11439790
Incident
May 22, 2021
Mileage
55,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 19, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, he started to smell gasoline fumes inside the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to a nearby gas station and noticed a fuel leak. The contact was able to drive to his destination. The contact stated he replaced the fuel cap and evaporator air filter, the fuel pressure sensor, and the evaporator purge valve but continued to experience the failure. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V647000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ID
11437383
Incident
Oct 10, 2021
Mileage
65,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 13, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11436608
Incident
Mar 30, 2021
Mileage
65,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 23, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11434060
Incident
Sep 22, 2021
AirbagsEngine
Filed Aug 31, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 21V198000 (Air Bags) and 19V474000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who declined to repair the vehicle for unknown reasons however, the dealer received payment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the ignition coil needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available for NHTSA campaign number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) and Parts distribution disconnect for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V474000 (Air Bags).

NHTSA ID
11431217
Incident
Jul 26, 2021
Mileage
84,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 5, 2021

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated the parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware if the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11427865
Incident
Apr 1, 2021
Filed Oct 2, 2019

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. IT WAS A SUNNY DAY AND THERE WAS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY. THE SUNROOF SHADE WAS DRAWN SO IT CAUGHT GLASS THAT COULD HAVE FALLEN INSIDE THE CAR. THERE WERE NO OTHER OBJECTS CAUGHT IN THE SHADE, ONLY GLASS. I DON'T THINK IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT ANYTHING HIT THE SUNROOF. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING, THERE WASN'T TRAFFIC OVERHEAD, AND THERE WEREN'T ANY LARGE VEHICLES NEAR MY CAR. THE SUNROOF JUST SUDDENLY SHATTERED WITH A LOUD SOUND.

NHTSA ID
11265720
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Mileage
24,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 18, 2019

I HAVE A 2016 AUDI A3 THAT HAS A CURRENT RECALL ON THE (PODS) SYSTEM AND THE DEALER AND AUDI USA TELLS ME THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS AND HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE! I DRIVE AND PICK UP MY 15 YEAR OLD GRANDSON TO SCHOOL EACH DAY AND I AM FEAR-FULL AUDI MUST BE MADE TO COME UP WITH THE PARTS. WHAT GOOD IS A RECALL BY NHTSA IF NOTHING GETS COMPLETED??

NHTSA ID
11256484
Incident
Sep 18, 2019
Body & structure
Filed Jul 8, 2019

PURCHASED THIS CAR DECEMBER OF 2018 (6 MONTHS AGO), VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. LATE JAN (A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE), WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, THE LEFT SIDE BUMPER GRILLE, A LARGE PLASTIC PIECE FELL OFF. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE, SO I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT PART AND PUT IT BACK INTO THE BUMPER. A MONTH LATER IN LATE MARCH, THAT SAME PIECE FELL OFF AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, CAUSED A LARGE BOOM NOISE AND WAS A HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE PART AGAIN. FAST FORWARD TO JUNE, THIS SAME PART ON THE RIGHT SIDE FELL OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND CAUSING THE SAME ROAD HAZARD FOR ALL VEHICLES. IN SUMMARY, WITHIN A SPAN OF 6 MONTHS THIS PART HAD FELL OFF 3 TIMES. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE BUMPER DESIGN OF THIS CAR AND NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED, OTHERWISE IT'S A MAJOR ROAD HAZARD TO HAVE CAR PARTS FALLING OFF AND FLYING ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ID
11230233
Incident
Mar 12, 2019
Mileage
32,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 11, 2019

VW BOUGHT BACK MY 2016 A3 TWO YEARS AGO BUT I'M STILL RECEIVING THE RECALL INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID
11185773
Incident
Feb 16, 2017
Mileage
32,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 17, 2018

CAR STALLS AFTER RUNNING, STALLS AT INTERSECTIONS. NO WARNING LIGHTS SHOW ON THE DASH AND RESTART IS NOT IMMEDIATE. LAST EVENT WAS IN CITY STOPPED AT STOP SIGN, STALLED WHEN ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. SAME SYMPTOMS AS IN RECALL 17V508000. THIS HAS HAPPENED NO FEWER THAN 20 TIMES OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. TODAY'S DATE DOCUMENTED TODAY.

NHTSA ID
11162057
Incident
Dec 17, 2018
Engine
Filed Nov 29, 2018
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A3. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE AND SMOKE WERE PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FLETCHERS JONES AUDI CHICAGO, 1111 N. CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3. *TT CONSUMER HAS STATED THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING AND SMOKING IS GETTING WORSE. DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE.*JB

NHTSA ID
11154777
Incident
Nov 1, 2018
Mileage
3 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 6, 2018

TWICE I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE RANDOM LOSS OF POWER. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED ON A LOCAL STREET, DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STUTTERED AND LOST POWER. IT APPEARED AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN, NOT EVEN COASTING BUT SLOWING DOWN CONSIDERABLY. I WAS REQUIRED TO PULL ONTO A SIDE ROAD. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE ISSUE DISAPPEARED. THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. SAME ISSUE, CAR STUTTERED AND THEN LOSS POWER. THE CAR'S SPEED SLOWED CONSIDERABLE FAST, FROM 70 TO 30 IN APPRXIMATELY 5-7 SECONDS. WITH THE INABILITY TO ACCELERATE ON A THREE LANE HIGHWAY, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAKE MY WAY TO THE SHOULDER ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER THE STUTTER, YOU CAN PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND NOT ACCELERATION IS EXPERIENCED. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AUDI TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS "WE DON'T SEE ANY FAULT CODES, THEREFORE WE HAVE NO RECORD OF IT HAPPENING", AND SENT ME OFF WITH A "GOOD LUCK" VEHICLE HAD APPRXIMATELY 12,000 MILES AND 15,000 MILES WHEN ISSUES OCCURRED. ALL DEALER RECOMMENDED MAINTANENCE WAS PERFORMED.

NHTSA ID
11067212
Incident
Jan 28, 2018
Mileage
15,500 mi

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