NHTSA vehicle safety data
2016 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron Recalls & Complaints
The 2016 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of November 3, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 2016 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Air Bag Inflator May Explode or Deploy Improperly
NHTSA #22V543000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported July 27, 2022 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 1,216 vehicles
Repair completion: 66.69% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 69DY, 61C1 · Owners notified December 16, 2022 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.
Safety consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.
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.nhtsa.gov.
Passenger Air Bag May Deactivate
NHTSA #21V198000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger · NHTSA notice
Reported March 22, 2021 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 153,152 vehicles
Repair completion: 74.77% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 69BY · Owners notified December 23, 2021
Defect description
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
Safety consequence
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
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.
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 July 13, 2015 – August 22, 2018 (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.
Other Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron model years
Check your 2016 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron VIN
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