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2016 Audi A3: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 Audi A3, most recently filed February 2024. Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 6campaigns 3 air bag · 1 fuel system · 1 engine Source: NHTSA Complaints 117filed Owner reports, 2011–2022 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 4★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 39mpg combined $1,675/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 1.4 L 4-cyl· Automatic 6 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (6)

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 Audi A3. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2016 Audi A3. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 24V110000 Filed Feb 14, 2024

Fuel Leak from Fuel Tank Suction Pump Failure

Fuel system, gasoline
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
56.9% repairedof 261,257 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 24V110000
Listed for 2016 Audi A3. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 22V543000 Filed Jul 27, 2022

Air Bag Inflator May Explode or Deploy Improperly

Air bags · frontal · passenger side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
63.2% repairedof 1,216 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V543000
Listed for 2016 Audi A3. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V198000 Filed Mar 22, 2021

Passenger Air Bag May Deactivate

Air bags · on-off switch assembly
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
72.6% repairedof 153,152 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V198000
Listed for 2016 Audi A3. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V474000 Filed Jun 19, 2019

Passenger Air Bag May Deactivate

Air bags · sensor · occupant classification
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
Consequence
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.
82.1% repairedof 138,896 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V474000
Listed for 2016 Audi A3. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V647000 Filed Sep 7, 2016

Suction Pump may Allow Fuel into the EVAP System

Engine and engine cooling · exhaust system · emission control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system.
Consequence
As fuel accumulates in the EVAP system, it may leak out through the charcoal canister filter element. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298, Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 20Y6 and 20Y5. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 24V-110.
Repair progress not yet reported110,042 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V647000
Listed for 2016 Audi A3. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V642000 Filed Sep 6, 2016

Side Marker Lights may not Illuminate/FMVSS 108

Electrical system · software
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence
If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
95.1% repairedof 79,895 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V642000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which A3 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Audi A3All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (117)

117 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

3involved a crash
4involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Audi A3, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 117.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2016 compares with other A3 years

Best and worst A3 years →
43 43 20 180 117 69 45 14 16 9
2011201220132015201620172018201920202022
This year (2016)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 5★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 10.9%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2016 Audi A3 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 39 mpg combined

39
mpg combined
37
city
41
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,100
CO₂ tailpipe
138 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$1,675per year
$140per month
385gallons a year

Miles ÷ 39 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2016 Audi A3 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.4 L 4-cyl · AutomaticFront-Wheel Drive37 / 41 / 39$2,100138
1.4 L 4-cyl · AutomaticFront-Wheel Drive33 / 37 / 35$2,350158
1.8 L 4-cyl · AutomaticFront-Wheel Drive24 / 35 / 28$2,400314
1.8 L 4-cyl · AutomaticFront-Wheel Drive23 / 33 / 27$2,500328
2 L 4-cyl · AutomaticAll-Wheel Drive24 / 33 / 27$2,500323
2 L 4-cyl · AutomaticAll-Wheel Drive23 / 32 / 26$2,600334

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2016 A3 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All A3 years

Where to next

Which A3 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2017 Audi A3 report69 complaints · 5 campaigns →2015 Audi A3 report180 complaints · 7 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2016 Audi A3 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2016 Audi A3 have?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 24V110000 (fuel system), 22V543000 (air bag), 21V198000 (air bag), 19V474000 (air bag), 16V647000 (engine), 16V642000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2016 Audi A3 problems?

Owners filed 117 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (51), Fuel/propulsion system (22), Electrical system (19) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2016 Audi A3 get?

EPA rates the 1.4 L 4-cyl · Automatic version at 37 city, 41 highway and 39 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2016 Audi A3 get?

NHTSA rated the 2016 Audi A3 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (10.9% rollover risk).

How does the 2016 A3 compare with other years?

Among the 2011–2020 Audi A3 model years at least five years old, the 2019 drew the fewest complaints (14) and the 2015 the most (180). The 2016 drew 117. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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