VehicleVerdict

2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet sits mid-pack among A3 Cabriolet years: 46 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 31, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (33% of the total).

46

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other A3 Cabriolet years?

A3 Cabriolet NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted109 complaints2015: 109 complaints2016: 46 complaints2017: 31 complaints2018: 12 complaints2019: 4 complaints
A3 Cabriolet NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A3 Cabriolet years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1533%
Fuel System817%
Engine715%
Electrical System49%
Transmission37%
Other37%
Tires & Wheels24%
Speed Control12%
Steering12%
Body & Structure12%
Lighting12%

Does the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet have recalls?

3 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.

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.

16V642000LightingSeptember 6, 2016 · 79,895 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 18, 2019

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 17, 2018

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 1, 2018 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS UNKNOWN HOW THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 25, 2016 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A3. WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE OR ROLL FORWARD BEFORE REVERSING. THE MANUFACTURER AND AN UNKNOWN DEALER WERE CONTACTED, BUT COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 15, 2017

2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet — common questions

Is the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet reliable?

It is close to typical for the A3 Cabriolet: 46 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2016 A3 Cabriolet problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (15 complaints), fuel system (8 complaints), engine (7 complaints).

Does the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 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 2016 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.