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Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2016 Audi A3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 114 owner complaints for the 2016 Audi A3. Most complaints involve air bags (52) and electrical system (19). The EPA rates it 26–39 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
26–39mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Feb 2024
Owner complaints
114
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Feb 14, 2024NHTSA 24V110000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jul 27, 2022NHTSA 22V543000

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Mar 22, 2021NHTSA 21V198000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

114 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2016 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags52
  2. Electrical system19
  3. Fuel/propulsion system17
  4. Engine14
  5. Power train9
  6. Fuel system, gasoline5
  7. Engine and engine cooling4
  8. Tires4
  9. Visibility/wiper3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each A3 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2006123
200752
200843
200948
201050
201142
201243
201320
2015180
2016114
201763
201844
201912
202017
20242
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

52 reports
“My 2016 Audi A3 (VIN [XXX]) underwent Safety Recall 69BY on XXX, to correct a defect in the front passenger occupant detection system (PODS), including replacement of the occupant detection sensor. Less than two years later, the same safety-system malfunction returned. The vehicle intermittently displays "Safety system: system fault," "Audi pre sense: system fault," and "Passenger airbag off." These warnings appear unpredictably and sometimes clear temporarily before returning. This malfunction creates a serious safety risk because the vehicle may fail to recognize a front-seat passenger and disable the passenger airbag during a collision. We cannot safely use the front passenger seat. On XXX, at 74,151 miles, Audi Marin diagnosed the malfunction and documented fault codes B102202, B102229, and B12251B. The dealership confirmed that diagnostic testing continued to indicate a faulty passenger occupant sensor (G128) and recommended replacement. Audi Marin's service manager informed us that Audi has redesigned the replacement component, but the updated part is on an extended backorder from [XXX]. The dealership cannot currently complete the repair. Audi of America…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, SeatsODI 11771178

Electrical system

19 reports1 fire
“My 2016 Audi A3 Sportsback E-tron vehicle was parked at my house. When I went to start it the engine did nothing, no power. The message “Driver System Fault” and a red triangle with a red ! in the middle was displayed on the instrument panel. I was unable to start or operate the vehicle. I called AAA and they towed the vehicle to a Recharge Hybrid pump location near my house. I tired to charge the battery and it would just turn off. Then I called AAA again and they towed my car back to my house and checked the small 12 volt battery to see if that was the problem, they determined that the 12 volt battery still had 75% life in it. They were unable to get my vehicle started. The same message is still on the dashboard “Driver System Fault." The failure mileage is approximately 81,567. I want to know before I call the Dealer and get it towed again if this issue is the Hybrid High-Voltage Battery or the housing bonded seam could have lead to corrosion the service recall from a while ago. Service Action Code 93D2”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2025Electrical systemODI 11689751

Fuel/propulsion system

17 reports1 fire
“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 BY THE RECALL PROCEDURE!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2025Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11690869
All 2016 A3 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid · 1.8L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline · Regular Gasoline
EV range
430 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A3 e-tron ultra
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
374139$2,050138
A3 e-tron
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
333735$2,300158
A3 Cabriolet
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243528$2,300314
A3
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
233327$2,400328
A3 quattro
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
243327$2,400323
A3 Cabriolet quattro
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
233226$2,450334
  • A3 e-tron ultra
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    37 city · 41 hwy · $2,050/yr
    39
    mpg comb.
  • A3 e-tron
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    33 city · 37 hwy · $2,300/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • A3 Cabriolet
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    24 city · 35 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • A3
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • A3 quattro
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • A3 Cabriolet quattro
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 32 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

5 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Audi A3 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Audi A3 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 10336Vehicle 10335Vehicle 10083
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 A3 questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Audi A3 have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2016 Audi A3 problems?

Owners filed 114 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (52), electrical system (19), fuel/propulsion system (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Audi A3 get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Audi A3 at 26–39 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Audi A3?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Audi A3 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026