YearToAvoid

2016 Audi A3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 14 A3 years

The 2016 Audi A3 ranks worst of 14 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 81 complaints. Airbags account for 44% of complaints, followed by fuel system (25%) and electrical system (20%). NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this year.

Complaints
81
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
3 / 2
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
31
28.5 city / 35 hwy

Top 2016 Audi A3 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags36 (44%)
  2. Fuel System20 (25%)
  3. Electrical System16 (20%)
  4. Engine14 (17%)
  5. Other8 (10%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain6 (7%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (5%)
  8. Structure & Body3 (4%)
  9. Seat Belts2 (2%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) falsely flags a malfunction and deactivates the passenger airbag, triggering a dashboard 'system fault' warning even after recall repairs.
  • Some owners describe the airbag and seatbelt warning lights returning shortly after dealer service, with no passenger in the seat.
  • Fuel system complaints include leaks from the fuel tank, with one owner reporting fuel leaking in a garage and needing the tank replaced multiple times.
  • Electrical system complaints describe a rearview camera image that becomes garbled after the trunk is opened and closed, and a 'Vehicle Electronic System Malfunction' message that can cause the car to fail to shift into gear.
  • Engine-related reports include a burning smell and bubbling coolant reservoir fluid at low speed, and a rumbling engine noise with the vehicle failing to start.
2016 Audi A3 complaints: complaints filed per quarter122019 Q42020 Q42021 Q42022 Q42023 Q42024 Q42025 Q4
114 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q3 (12).

2016 Audi A3 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V110000Feb 14, 2024Fuel System261,257 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline

    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.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 22V543000Jul 27, 2022Airbags1,216 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 21V198000Mar 22, 2021Airbags153,152 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

    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.

    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.

2016 Audi A3 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
28.5 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
31 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,350
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other A3 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Good3120324
2015Avoid9292227
2016Avoid10081331
2017Avoid7744229
2018Caution5433229

All Audi A3 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Audi A3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 A3 ranks worst among the 14 A3 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 81 total complaints, most tied to airbags.
What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Audi A3?
Airbags are the top problem area, making up 44% of complaints (36 of 81), largely tied to the passenger occupant detection system, which is also covered by two separate recalls.
Does the 2016 Audi A3 have a fuel system recall?
Yes. NHTSA recall 24V110000 covers a fuel system suction pump replacement on the 2016 A3 among other Volkswagen Group vehicles from 2015-2020.
How does the 2016 A3 compare to other A3 years?
The 2016 A3 has the highest complaint index (100) of the 14 years tracked and is rated 'Avoid,' while years like 2019, 2022, and 2023 rate 'Best' with much lower complaint indexes of 8, 23, and 15.
What is the median mileage for airbag complaints on the 2016 A3?
Airbag complaints on the 2016 A3 have a median mileage at failure of 44,000 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.