The 2016 Audi A3 is associated with 112 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 6 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Air Bags, accounting for 37 reports (33% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 6 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.4L 4-Cyl plug-in hybrid, 1.8l 4-cyl, and 2l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 26 to 28 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 86 MPGe (35–39 MPG on gasoline) with up to 17 miles of electric driving range. The 2016 Audi A3 belongs to the 3rd generation (Typ 8V) A3 platform spanning model years 2015–2020.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 112 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 6 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Air Bags (37 / 33%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 3 crash / 4 fire / 1 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 26–28 MPG (6 variants • PHEV up to 86 MPGe)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| A3 e-tron ultra Plug-in Hybrid | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 86 MPGe (37 MPG) | 87 MPGe (41 MPG) | 86 MPGe (39 MPG) | 17 mi EV (430 mi total) | $1,950 / yr |
| A3 e-tron Plug-in Hybrid | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 81 MPGe (33 MPG) | 86 MPGe (37 MPG) | 83 MPGe (35 MPG) | 16 mi EV (380 mi total) | $2,150 / yr |
| A3 Cabriolet | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 24 MPG | 35 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| A3 | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 23 MPG | 33 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,300 / yr |
| A3 quattro | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 24 MPG | 33 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,300 / yr |
| A3 Cabriolet quattro | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 23 MPG | 32 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| C FWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 10.9% |
| C AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 4 DR AWD | | | | | 10.9% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Audi A3 models.
View complete 2016 Audi A3 crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Audi A3 problems & component breakdown (40 categories) →
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2016 Audi A3 recalls & campaign history (6 campaigns) →