2016 Audi A3 CABRIOLET problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
28,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 36 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 15 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Fuel Gauge | 1 |
Air Bags: 15; Engine: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Power Train: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Fuel Gauge: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2016: 3; 2017: 8; 2018: 3; 2019: 4; 2021: 6; 2022: 7; 2023: 3; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11067212 · 2018-02-06 (February 6, 2018)
TWICE I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE RANDOM LOSS OF POWER. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED ON A LOCAL STREET, DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STUTTERED AND LOST POWER. IT APPEARED AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN, NOT EVEN COASTING BUT SLOWING DOWN CONSIDERABLY. I WAS REQUIRED TO PULL ONTO A SIDE ROAD. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE ISSUE DISAPPEARED. THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. SAME ISSUE, CAR STUTTERED AND THEN LOSS POWER. THE CAR'S SPEED SLOWED CONSIDERABLE …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11067212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11162057 · 2018-12-17 (December 17, 2018)
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 YEARS. TODAY'S DATE DOCUMENTED TODAY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11162057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10929393 · 2016-12-01 (December 1, 2016)
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO THE A3 E-TRON. THERE IS A DELAY BETWEEN STARTING THE CAR AND THE CAR BEING ENGAGING THE POWERTRAIN AND BEING "READY" TO DRIVE. DURING THAT DELAY, ONE IS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR BEFORE THE ENGINE IS 'READY'. THIS CREATES SITUATIONS WHERE YOU CAN PUT THE CAR IN GEAR ON A HILL, AND THE CAR ROLLS BACKWARDS AND YOU DO NOT HAVE STEERING OR POWER BREAKS TO STOP THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR IS TO TO PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BREAK (WITHOUT POWER STEERING), PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, AND POWER CYCLE THE CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10929393 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11541630 · 2023-08-30 (August 30, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 147,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11541630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10920211 · 2016-10-31 (October 31, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAILING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN....UPDATED 12/14/16 *BF UPDATED 08/10/2017*JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10920211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11437383 · 2021-10-19 (October 19, 2021)
The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, he started to smell gasoline fumes inside the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to a nearby gas station and noticed a fuel leak. The contact was able to drive to his destination. The contact stated he replaced the fuel cap and evaporator air filter, the fuel pressure sensor, and the evaporator purge valve but continued to experience the failure. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of …
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11437383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11000378 · 2017-06-21 (June 21, 2017)
DRIVING 50-60 MPH ON THE FWY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED TO JERK/STUTTER AND THEN IT LOST SPEED. THE JERKING IS SIMILAR TO A NEW DRIVER LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHERE YOU'RE THROWN FWD AND BACK SOMEWHAT VIOLENTLY. AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BACK TO FWY SPEED, IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. IT KEPT SLOWING DOWN INSTEAD. NO CEL ILLUMINATED. I DECIDED TO EXIT AND PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,878 miles reported. Look up ODI 11000378 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10944395 · 2017-01-11 (January 11, 2017)
THERE IS NO WARNING, AND NO IGNITION LOCKOUT, WHEN THE ETRON POWER PORT DOOR AND COVER IS LEFT OPEN AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR. (THE POWER PORT IS HOW TO RECHARGE THE BATTERIES IN THE CAR). THIS ALLOWS WATER TO BE FORCED INTO THE HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN, WHICH COULD TRIGGER AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OR MALFUCTION IN THE SYSTEM AND POSSIBLY EXPLODE THE LITHIUM ION BATTERIES THAT POWER THE CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED ON THE 2017 MODEL, BUT THERE IS NO SOLUTION (YET) FOR A 2016 ETRON ACCORDING TO DEALER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10944395 at NHTSA ↗