VehicleVerdict

2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 109 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median A3 Cabriolet year — the 2015 model ranks #1 of 5 A3 Cabriolet years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 38 reports (35% of the total).

109

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other A3 Cabriolet years?

A3 Cabriolet NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted109 complaints2015: 109 complaints2016: 46 complaints2017: 31 complaints2018: 12 complaints2019: 4 complaints
A3 Cabriolet NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A3 Cabriolet years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags3835%
Fuel System1615%
Engine109%
Electrical System109%
Lighting55%
Tires & Wheels55%
Transmission55%
Other44%
Brakes33%
Body & Structure33%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Seat Belts22%
Speed Control22%
Steering22%
Suspension22%

Does the 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V474000AirbagsJune 19, 2019 · 138,896 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

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.

17V280000OtherApril 26, 2017 · 2,091 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Audi A3 1.8T FWD S tronic and 2.0T Quattro S tronic vehicles. The safety certification label has an incorrect vehicle production date. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence

In the event of a vehicle safety recall, an incorrect production date may prevent owners from determining if the recall affects them, increasing their risk of injury or a crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install an overlay label containing the correct vehicle production date, free of charge. The recall June 23, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51F5.

16V647000Fuel SystemSeptember 7, 2016 · 110,042 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

15V824000SeatsDecember 8, 2015 · 904 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, LLC (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet vehicles manufactured June 5, 2014, to April 1, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driver or front passenger seat whose cover may be incorrectly stitched, preventing the side air bag from properly deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence

Improper side air bag deployment may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's and/or front passenger's seatback cover, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on February 4, 2016. The recall began on February 29, 2016 . Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74C9.

15V229000Fuel SystemApril 17, 2015 · 6,205 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Golf, and GTI manufactured on February 17, 2014, to May 22, 2014, and Audi A3 manufactured on February 16, 2013, to April 23, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle will not start, or if the engine is running, it will stop and the vehicle will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any affected fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi at 1-800-253-2834.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AUDI RECALLED THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) BUT HAS NOT RELEASED A REMEDY YET. MY CAR'S SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE LEADING TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG BEING PERMANENTLY TURNED OFF MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS. THE LOCAL DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT WITHOUT A REMEDY BEING AVAILABLE. AUDI…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 1, 2019

“MY AUDI CAR HASNT BEEN RUNNING WELL. I WENT TO MY DEALERSHIP AND NO SENSE OF URGENCY REGARDING THIS MATTER, WAS TOLD THEY WILL CALL ME WHEN THEY HAVE IT BUT "I SHOULD BE FINE". I LEFT MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE 11.11.16 BUT DOESNT FIX THE RECALL "SAFTEY RECALL 20Y5 SUCTION PUMP" .…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 11, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER HUSBAND WHO OWNS A 2015 AUDI A3. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH OF 2019. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE CLOSER TO THE CURB. WHEN THE DRIVER SHIFTED INTO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 29, 2019 · crash

“2015 AUDI A3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE SAT IN AN OPEN AIR SITE WITHOUT A HOOD OR WINDOWS, EXPOSED TO THE WINTER ELEMENTS. 13 DAYS LATER IT WAS INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, WHO DETERMINED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 2, 2017

“I WAS BEHIND A NEWER AUDI SEDAN (POSSIBLE A3 2.0T) AT NIGHT, AND WAS BLINDED BY THE BRIGHTNESS FROM THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE LIGHTS WERE TOO BRIGHT FOR ME TO SAFELY KEEP MY EYES ON THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING A 2001 LEXUS LX470, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE HEIGHT OF MY VEHICLE MADE A DIFFERENCE ON THE ANGLE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 11, 2014

2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet — common questions

Is the 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 109 complaints put the 2015 model at #1 of 5 A3 Cabriolet years. It is one of the A3 Cabriolet years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 A3 Cabriolet problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (38 complaints), fuel system (16 complaints), engine (10 complaints).

Does the 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Audi A3 Cabriolet years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A3 Cabriolet years to avoid are 2015. The cleanest record among A3 Cabriolet years belongs to 2019.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.