2016 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
46
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
70
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2016 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET
The 2016 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET has received a total of 46 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. 70 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (15 complaints), Engine (6 complaints), and Fuelpropulsion System (6 complaints).
Recalls for the 2016 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2016 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET, potentially affecting up to 518,770 vehicles.
Recall 19V474000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
| 138,896 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 16V642000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 79,895 vehicles affected
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....
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.
View full details →Recall 16V642000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
| 79,895 vehicles affected
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....
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.
View full details →Recall 16V647000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 110,042 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 16V647000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
| 110,042 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2016 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET
46 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systeminstrument Panelfuel Gauge | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheelsrim | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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 NHTSA 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 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 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.
Safety Rating for the 2016 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2016 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2016 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 70 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2016 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
TSB-2077014_1 — STEERING
This bulletin provides information when there are cracking noises from the steering rack when steering.
Circular 24EC — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Undisclosed Engine Control Module (ECM) Software 2015 S7, 2015-2016 S3 Sedan, 2016 A3 Sedan, A3 Cab, A6 Sedan, 2017 R8 Coupe, 2018 A5 Sportback, SQ5, R8 Spyder, A5 Coupe, A4 Sedan
Dealer 37M3 — POWER TRAIN
Undisclosed Transmission Control Module (TCM) Software 2013 A8, S8, Q7, 2014 TT Coupe, 2015 Q7, S3 Sedan, 2016 A3 Cab, A3 Sedan, S3 Sedan, TT Coupe, 2017 Q7, TT Coupe, 2018 S7, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S5 Cabriolet, S6
A9719642043968_4 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
This bulletin provides instructions for replacing damaged rear lid wiring harnesses.
A9719642043968_4 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides instructions for replacing damaged rear lid wiring harnesses.
A201918204335711 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This technical service bulletin provides a software code for correcting an issue that causes DTC P046100.
A9719632043968_3 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
This bulletin provides instructions for replacing damaged rear lid wiring harnesses.
A401993 2047758- — SUSPENSION
This bulletin contains instructions for proper lubrication of the shock absorber to prevent cracking noises or spring jumps when steering.
Bulletin 97CM — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
UPDATE ? BCM Software (NVLW)
Dealer Letter 97 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
UPDATE ? BCM Software (NVLW)
Showing 10 of 70 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2016 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the AUDI A3 CABRIOLET
- 2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET — 109 complaints
- 2016 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET (current)
- 2017 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET — 31 complaints
- 2018 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET — 12 complaints
- 2019 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET — 4 complaints