2016 Audi A3 recalls and problems

The 2016 Audi A3 has 3 safety recalls and 84 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

3 / 2

Injuries / deaths

1 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2016 Audi A3 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2016 Audi A3 recalls

Recall 24V-110: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Feb 14, 2024 · 261,257 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Recall 22V-543: Air Bags

Reported Jul 27, 2022 · 1,216 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 21V-198: Air Bags

Reported Mar 22, 2021 · 153,152 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: 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.

2016 Audi A3 problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	37
Fuel/Propulsion System	17
Electrical System	16
Engine	9
Unknown or Other	9
Power Train	6
Engine and Engine Cooling	4
Fuel System, Gasoline	4
Tires	3
Seat Belts	2
Visibility/Wiper	2
Suspension	2

Most reported parts

Engine and Engine Cooling › Critical Fasteners — 1
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch — 1
Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Oil/Lubrication › Seals/Gaskets — 1
Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 1
Tires › Sidewall — 1
Tires › Tread/Belt — 1
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 62,300 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2016 Audi A3 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Nov 9, 2026

The automobile refuses to accept fuel from the gas pump. It quickly stops accepting gasoline and spills over the top of the gas cap area even though the gas gauge indicates fuel is required. I understand this is under warranty for front wheel drive variations of the A3 but my Cabriolet happens to be an All-Wheel Drive Quattro model. The Dealer I called claimed my exact VIN isn't on the recall list, even though the tank configuration suffers identical symptoms as the front wheel drive model. This is a common problem and should be covered since it is a danger having gasoline spill out of the…

Air Bags · reported Oct 14, 2026

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…

Unknown or Other · reported Oct 12, 2026

I was driving my vehicle on the [XXX] like normal and suddenly my car stopped accelerating at 70 MPH and displayed a message stating to stop vehicle, transmission malfunction. There were 2 cars that almost hit me while I was trying to get over to the side of the road due to the car barely having any power. The car also displayed a checked engine light and an eps warning. This all happened within one minute. I towed It to Rocco European garage in [XXX] where It was concluded that solenoid shift for the transmission has failed and is stuck. I was told that now the car isnât technically…

Air Bags · at 44,000 miles · reported Jul 21, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front passengerâs side air bag occupant sensor failed to identify a passenger seat in the seat. A dealer was contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that PODS had failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired.…

Structure · reported Jan 30, 2026

This vehicle was involved in a rear end collision in late 2025. The vehicle was just sold at auction with a clean title even though it has frame damage that is more than 100% of the cost of this vehicle. It is sold with a clean title and I am worried that a used car dealership will try to sell it with no accident history and clean title to an unsuspecting person.

Other Audi A3 years

2026 2025 2023 2022 2020 2019 2018 201720162015 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

Compare all Audi A3 years · All Audi models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Audi A3 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Audi A3: 24V-110 (fuel system, gasoline), 22V-543 (air bags), 21V-198 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Audi A3?

Owners report air bags problems most often (37 reports), followed by fuel/propulsion system (17). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 62,300 miles.

Are Audi recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Audi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.