VehicleVerdict

2016 Audi A3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 113 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.2 times the median A3 year — the 2016 model ranks #3 of 22 A3 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 35 reports (31% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

113

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other A3 years?

A3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted140 complaints2001: 1 complaints2003: 2 complaints2004: 7 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 140 complaints2007: 63 complaints2008: 46 complaints2009: 66 complaints2010: 60 complaints2011: 51 complaints2012: 48 complaints2013: 25 complaints2015: 131 complaints2016: 113 complaints2017: 75 complaints2018: 47 complaints2019: 15 complaints2020: 19 complaints2022: 12 complaints2023: 10 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 5 complaints
A3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Audi A3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags3531%
Fuel System2018%
Electrical System1614%
Engine1211%
Other87%
Transmission65%
Tires & Wheels33%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Driver Assistance22%
Seat Belts22%
Suspension22%
Body & Structure11%
Latches & Locks11%
Seats11%
Lighting11%
Speed Control11%

Does the 2016 Audi A3 have recalls?

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

24V110000Fuel SystemFebruary 14, 2024 · 261,257 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.

22V543000AirbagsJuly 27, 2022 · 1,216 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

21V198000AirbagsMarch 22, 2021 · 153,152 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHEN A PERSON OR ITEM IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THERE WILL BE AN INTERMITTENT ERROR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WILL DISABLE. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT AS TIME GOES ON IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN.. I'VE CONTACTED 'AUDI CHATTANOOGA' ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY SAY A RECALL TO FIX SAID PROBLEM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 23, 2020

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 24, 2025 · fire

“AUDI BATON ROUGE INFORMED ME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH COOLANT MIGRATION AT COOLANT TANK CONNECTOR (COOLANT COULD LEAK INTO WIRE HARNESS) AND CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WANT $300 +_ TO REPAIR. SINCE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING CAUSED UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS OR NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART I DO NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 24, 2021

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, HE NOTICED A BURNING SMELL IN HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PARKED HIS VEHICLE IN HIS DRIVEWAY AND OPENED THE HOOD WHEN FLUIDS BUBBLING WHERE COMING FROM ONE OF THE COOLANT RESERVOIRS AND THE BURNING ODOR WAS COMING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 29, 2020 · fire

“AUDI BATON ROUGE INFORMED ME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH COOLANT MIGRATION AT COOLANT TANK CONNECTOR (COOLANT COULD LEAK INTO WIRE HARNESS) AND CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WANT $300 +_ TO REPAIR. SINCE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING CAUSED UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS OR NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART I DO NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 24, 2021

2016 Audi A3 — common questions

Is the 2016 Audi A3 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 113 complaints put the 2016 model at #3 of 22 A3 years. It is one of the A3 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 A3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (35 complaints), fuel system (20 complaints), electrical system (16 complaints).

Does the 2016 Audi A3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Audi A3. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Audi A3 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A3 years to avoid are 2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2009, 2007, 2010. The cleanest record among A3 years belongs to 2005.

How safe is the 2016 Audi A3?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Audi A3 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.