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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, Audi Richmond (12592 Broad St., Richmond, VA 23233), where it was determined that the module connected to the sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The worst 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags15
- Fuel system8
- Engine6
- Electrical4
- Transmission3
- Acceleration1
- Body1
- Lights1
- Steering1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet
Recalls 3
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 19V474000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 16V647000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 16V642000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet
Defect investigations
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V‑647. Recall 16V‑647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V‑647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V‑647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V‑110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V‑110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V‑647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
RQ23007
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet 544
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin provides information when there are creaking/squeaking noises from the front end on uneven...
- This bulletin provides informaiton on the use of the PICO-NVH tool (VAS 611 015).
- This bulletin proides service information when there is a prompt to take over the steering wheel (hands...
- This bulletin provides information when the starter battery is discharged or malfunctioning.
- This bulletin provides information to aid in diagnosing the vehicle locking system.
- This bulletin provides information when the engine is not runing smoothly; all gas engines.
- This bulletin provides information on VIN plates, Safety Certification labels, and ordering procedures.
- This bulletin provides infomraiton when the exterior lights have moisture accumulation.
- This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has...
2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | FWD | 24 | 35 | 28 |
What 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 several fault codes were displayed. The mechanic informed the contact that replacing the sensor might fix the failure and the part was replaced. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to stall, and the message was displayed again. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle for the vehicle to operate as needed. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic where the failure was unknown, and the mechanic had the vehicle taken to a different mechanic. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the gear shifter had failed to shift from park when the vehicle was started. The contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be towed to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,500.
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 making a left turn, the steering wheel pulled hard to the right. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle drove over a massive pothole in the roadway. The contact pulled over to assess the vehicle and discovered that the front passenger’s rim had detached the vehicle. Additionally, the oil pan was punctured, causing oil to leak from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to his residence where it remained in his possession. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 63,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, gasoline sprayed out from the fuel filler neck. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed of a malfunction with the filler neck. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 8,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated the front passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
2016 audi a3. Consumer writes in regard to defective gas gauge. The consumer referenced audi safety recall 20y5. The consumer stated the vehicle exhibted the same failure but, the VIN was not included in the recall. The consumer had the vehicle repaired at a local mechanics shop. The consumer requested to be included in and reimbursed for the recall repair
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repair. The contact stated that the warning message "System Failure - Replace Sensor" would illuminate and the seat belt chime reminder would engage whenever the front passenger’s seat was unoccupied and the seat belt was not buckled. The dealer was notified and informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Compare the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet
Other model years
Questions about the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet
Is the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet reliable?
Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 1.4 times a typical A3 Cabriolet model year.
What is the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet year score?
The 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet scores 51 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Audi A3 Cabriolet: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet?
Airbags, with 15 complaints, typically around 42,000 miles. Next is fuel system (8).
How many recalls does the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet have?
3 recalls, covering air bags, fuel system, gasoline and electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 19V474000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Audi A3 Cabriolet have bad airbags?
The Audi A3 Cabriolet model years with the most airbags complaints are 2015 (38 complaints), 2016 (15 complaints) and 2017 (13 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet get?
Official estimates for the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet range from 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 24 city and 35 highway.
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