2016 Audi A3 Problems

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag occupant sensor failed to identify a passenger seat in the seat. A dealer was contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that PODS had failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

Passenger airbag not activated when passenger is seated

Electrical problems and fuel leak

FUEL LEAKED ALL MY GARAGE ALMOST CAUSING A FIRE IN MY HOME WHILE I WAS SLEEPING. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL TANK REPLACED 3 TIMES. AND I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE IT REPLACED BECAUSE AUDI WOULD NOT REPLACE THE RECALL OF IT SO I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU SO YOU CAN REACH OUT TO AUDI ABOUT NOT STANDING BY THE RECALL PROCEDURE!

Electrical problems and fuel leak

My 2016 Audi A3 Sportsback E-tron vehicle was parked at my house. When I went to start it the engine did nothing, no power. The message “Driver System Fault” and a red triangle with a red ! in the middle was displayed on the instrument panel. I was unable to start or operate the vehicle. I called AAA and they towed the vehicle to a Recharge Hybrid pump location near my house. I tired to charge the battery and it would just turn off. Then I called AAA again and they towed my car back to my house and checked the small 12 volt battery to see if that was the problem, they determined that the 12 volt battery still had 75% life in it. They were unable to get my vehicle started. The same message is still on the dashboard “Driver System Fault." The failure mileage is approximately 81,567. I want to know before I call the Dealer and get it towed again if this issue is the Hybrid High-Voltage Battery or the housing bonded seam could have lead to corrosion the service recall from a while ago. Service Action Code 93D2

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag occupant sensor failed to identify a passenger seat in the seat. A dealer was contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that PODS had failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle hesitated while starting. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure persisted before starting. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was an engine misfire and a leak in the fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V647000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

Mechatronics unit failed, stalled on freeway nearly caused an accident behind me.

The **mechatronic unit** (integrated into the S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission) is the primary component that fails. This unit controls gear shifts, clutch engagement, and hydraulic pressure within the transmission. Common failure points include: - Internal electronic control module (ECU) faults. - Malfunctioning solenoids or pressure valves. - Software glitches or calibration errors. **2. Safety Risks** Mechatronic failure poses significant safety risks: - **Erratic Gear Shifts**: Sudden jerks, delayed engagement, or refusal to shift gears could lead to loss of vehicle control, especially in traffic or during overtaking . - **Limp Mode**: The transmission may default to a single gear (e.g., 3rd gear), severely limiting acceleration and braking responsiveness . - **Complete Gear Loss**: Loss of reverse or multiple forward gears increases collision risks during parking or low-speed maneuvers . --- **3. Confirmation by Dealers/Service Centers** Dealers and independent specialists can reproduce and confirm the issue through: - **Diagnostic Scans**: Fault codes like "implausible gear ratio," "valve electrical faults," or "clutch adaptation limits" often indicate mechatronic failure . - **Physical Testing**: Symptoms such as harsh shifting, RPM fluctuations, or transmission warnings (e.g., flashing PRNDS lights) are observable during test drives . - Audi has issued **Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs)** for related transmission issues, though the 2016 A3 e-tron’s mechatronic unit isn’t part of a formal recall.

Backup Camera, not displaying image on dash screen. Big safety issue when parking, no visibility while backing up, viewing obstacles and parking. No the vehicle has not be inspected. No other warnings or messages prior to failure. Camera failed Friday 5/12/2023

Fault codes: P072C00, P072B00, P174A00, P072600, P179D00, P173400. Name of codes in order above, Stuck in Gear 1, Stuck in Reverse, Valve 3 in partial transmission 1, Engine Speed Inp.Circ., Cooling oil valve, Starter release from the selector level sensor system.

The rear wiper hose is consistently getting completely clogged so that no fluid comes out when the spray mechanism is engaged. The dealership has replaced it for a fee two or three times. At the last service they told us they cleaned it and did not charge a fee. However, within two months it was clogged again. I have noticed that the issue is more likely to occur after (intentionally or accidentally) using the rear window defroster. I am therefore wondering whether the hose is made of a plastic that is too soft, causing it to change shape as a response to the defroster heat.

Rearview backup camera is intermittently inoperative. Cannot use camera to see what is behind the car. Dealer inspected, duplicated and confirmed problem. Dealer at first ignored. Once out of warranty, dealer duplicated problem. It is a known problem. Manufacturer issued Technical Service Bulletin: 91 16 87 2045730/1 November 7, 2016.

I purchased my 2016 Audi A3 in April of 2020 from Audi San Diego. Less than a year later, I was getting airbag warning lights on my dash, as well as constant warning sounds when driving. I brought my vehicle into Audi San Diego, and they "fixed" the issue free of charge. A few months later, I started getting the same warning lights/sounds - this time, the passenger airbag was turning on and off even while somebody was sitting in the passenger seat. I received a recall letter in the mail shortly thereafter. When I called in the summer of 2021 to schedule a service appointment, I was told there was not yet a remedy to this recall and that in the next few months I should receive a phone call to schedule service. Over a year later, I called Audi San Diego to get an update (since I did receive a phone call as promised), and I am still told that there is no solution. For over a year now, I have been unable to have passengers in my front seat, due to the fear of the airbags not working in the event of a crash.

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received recall notifications for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V474000 (Air Bags) and 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 repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and a case was filed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the hood ajar warning light was illuminated. The contact inspected the hood and became aware that the hood was securely closed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a faulty hood switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 31,300. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

This vehicle was involved in a rear end collision in late 2025. The vehicle was just sold at auction with a clean title even though it has frame damage that is more than 100% of the cost of this vehicle. It is sold with a clean title and I am worried that a used car dealership will try to sell it with no accident history and clean title to an unsuspecting person.

Air bag light comes on when no on is in the passenger seat, the coolant light is coming on saying turn engine off when my coolant level is fine, the suspension cracks even though I have had this checked by Audi in Birmingham, Al. multiple times.

225/45r17 Dry rot on all four tires less than three years old - and actually used for fewer than 18 months as alternated with winter tires - crack runs entire circumference of tire - deep - at joining of sidewall to tread. Nokian has said that this is “cosmetic sidewall cracking” - there is nothing cosmetic about it and each tire dealer I have visited reports that the tires are unsafe and need to be replaced. This is also supposedly a known issue that Nokia has acknowledged but not provided any extra coverage for.

On August 30th 2021 around 12:45pm driving to work I experienced something I did not realize was possible. I was in the fast lane going 70-75mph when my steering wheel began to shake profusely, I felt like something was under my car and hitting/whipping the right passenger side of my vehicle. I lost control of my car, almost flipped and thought it was a blowout, while trying to come to a stop on the highway and nowhere to pullover. 18wheelers all around me and I had no choice but to stop on left small shoulder. At this time we realized that my tire had not blown, but ALL the Tread had separated from the tire. It had separated and this caused roughly 6feet of extreme whipping of tread while separating from the tube part of tire was beating my car in multiple areas under the car, damaged and took off half of my bumper, tore up the passenger side back and front door while causing large dents. I called a tow truck while my daughter called my husband to help us. Tow driver stated he hadn’t seen that happen and we were very lucky something catastrophic didn’t happen, Myself and my daughters life was in great risk!! We almost flipped the car due to tire separation, and we could’ve caused a multi car accident! My car had to go to the collision center ( Caliber Collision ) which is a vendor my insurance company works with - they have taken multiple photos of the damage. I have also taken multiple photos of damage. It has not been inspected by authorities etc… yet. No warning lights representing tire pressure, concerns etc….were alerting me of anything to be concerned of. The interior passenger airbag light was stating airbag was off - which caused for more concern ( I am driving a 2016 Audi A3 with a National recall & no fix!! ) with if we would’ve crashed, rolled, wrecked into someone/something that the airbags would’ve potentiality not gone off to protect my daughter or myself!

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS PERMANENTLY DISABLE, EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED ON IT- IT APPEARS THE SENSOR UNDER THE SEAT DOES IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS IS CRITICAL MALFUNCTION AS THE PASSENGER WILL NOT BE PROTECTED IN A COLLISION CASE. ADDITIONALLY, THE SEATBELT LIGHT COMES ON TO FASTEN SEATBELT EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS SAT ON THAT SEAT AND WON'T GO AWAY UNTIL THE BELT IS FASTEN. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR AUDI TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THE CURRENT NATIONAL RECALL TO FIX THAT PROBLEM.

I AM EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG. AIRBAG IS DISABLE WHEN PASSENGER IS SAT ON THE SEAT. ADDITIONALLY, THE SEATBELT SENSOR CALLS FOR FASTENING WHEN NO ONE IS SAT ON THE SEAT, PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ISSUES ALREADY ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE MOST RECENT RECALL.

This vehicle was involved in a rear end collision in late 2025. The vehicle was just sold at auction with a clean title even though it has frame damage that is more than 100% of the cost of this vehicle. It is sold with a clean title and I am worried that a used car dealership will try to sell it with no accident history and clean title to an unsuspecting person.

This vehicle was involved in a rear end collision in late 2025. The vehicle was just sold at auction with a clean title even though it has frame damage that is more than 100% of the cost of this vehicle. It is sold with a clean title and I am worried that a used car dealership will try to sell it with no accident history and clean title to an unsuspecting person.