NHTSA vehicle safety data
2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet Recalls & Complaints
The 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 35 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet owner complaints
Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet, describing incidents dated December 12, 2015 to June 10, 2024.
Most-cited components
- Air Bags 15 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 8 complaints
- Engine 6 complaints
- Electrical System 4 complaints
- Power Train 3 complaints
- Unknown or Other 3 complaints
Of the 35 complaints on file, 2 report a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11597002 · Filed
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…
ODI #11580553 · Filed
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…
ODI #11541630 · Filed
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…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Recall Query RQ23-007: Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
Closed July 1, 2024
Passenger Air Bag May Deactivate
NHTSA #19V474000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice
Reported June 19, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 138,896 vehicles
Repair completion: 82.12% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 69Z4 · Owners notified September 12, 2019 · Vehicles built June 5, 2014 – July 2, 2016 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
Safety consequence
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Suction Pump may Allow Fuel into the EVAP System
NHTSA #16V647000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice
Reported September 7, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 110,042 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 20Y6/20Y5 · Owners notified October 31, 2016
Defect description
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system.
Safety consequence
As fuel accumulates in the EVAP system, it may leak out through the charcoal canister filter element. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298, Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 20Y6 and 20Y5. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 24V-110.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Side Marker Lights may not Illuminate/FMVSS 108
NHTSA #16V642000 · Electrical System — Software · NHTSA notice
Reported September 6, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 79,895 vehicles
Repair completion: 95.08% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 97CB · Owners notified November 1, 2016 · Vehicles built May 15, 2015 – June 23, 2016 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Safety consequence
If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Audi A3 Cabriolet model years
Check your 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi A3 Cabriolet at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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