CarBrief

The 2016 Audi A3 has 6 recalls on file, and owner complaints about the passenger air bag system and fuel leaks stand out[1][2][3]. NHTSA lists 121 complaints for this model year[4].

121owner complaints[4]
6recalls[1]
26–28MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 121 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 A3[4]. Three mention a crash, four mention a fire, one mentions injuries and none report a death[4]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component, so the groups below add up to more than 121[4].

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Air bags[2] 52 42,000
Fuel/propulsion system[3] 22 18,707
Electrical system[7] 20 77,258
Engine[8] 19 44,546
Unknown or other[9] 12 not given
Power train[10] 9 not given
Fuel system, gasoline[11] 6 65,000
Tires[12] 4 not given

Air bags. This is the biggest group, and none of the 52 complaints mention a crash, fire or injury[2]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 4 describe the passenger air bag being switched off while someone sits in the seat, and 2 more describe air bag fault warnings[2]. Four of the 12 say the warning returned after a recall repair or that a dealer quoted a separate sensor repair[2]. The recalls section below covers the related recalls.

Fuel and propulsion. One fire is reported in this group of 22 complaints[3]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 6 describe fuel smell, leaking, spilling or trouble filling the tank, and some owners link it to the fuel pump recall[3]. Three describe sudden loss of power, stuttering or stalling[3].

Electrical system. One of the 20 complaints mentions a fire[7]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 4 describe passenger air bag detection warnings and 5 describe other warning lights or messages[7].

Engine. The 19 engine complaints include 1 crash and 2 fires[8]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 3 describe loss of power or stuttering while driving, and 6 mention a check engine light[8]. A few others describe oil use, smoke or a burning smell[8].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2016 A3[1]. Each one covers certain vehicles, so a particular car may or may not be included. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists several versions of the 2016 A3[19][5][20][21][22][23]. Gasoline versions use regular fuel[19]. Ratings are city / highway / combined MPG:

Version Engine and drive MPG Annual fuel cost
A3[19] 1.8L turbo, front-wheel drive 23 / 33 / 27 $2,500
A3 Cabriolet[5] 1.8L turbo, front-wheel drive 24 / 35 / 28 $2,400
A3 quattro[20] 2.0L turbo, all-wheel drive 24 / 33 / 27 $2,500
A3 Cabriolet quattro[21] 2.0L turbo, all-wheel drive 23 / 32 / 26 $2,600

All four are listed as Automatic (AM-S6)[19]. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

The A3 e-tron runs on premium fuel and electricity[22]. EPA rates it at 35 MPGe combined with 380 miles of range[22]. The e-tron ultra is rated at 39 MPGe combined with 430 miles of range[23].

Safety ratings

NHTSA rated the 4-door A3 in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive[6][24]. Both get 5 stars overall, 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash and 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 10.9%[6][24]. The cabriolet versions and the 5-door hatchback are not rated[25][26][27].

Engine and size

EPA lists three engines for the 2016 A3, all 4-cylinder: a 1.4L rated at 150 hp[28], a 1.8L rated at 170 hp[29] and a 2.0L rated at 220 hp[30].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. Length, width, height and wheelbase are in inches.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Cabriolet[31] 175 71 54 102 3,583 lb
Sedan 1.8 TFSI/2.0TDI[32] 176 71 56 104 3,175 lb
Sedan 2.0 TFSI[33] 176 71 56 104 3,362 lb
Sportback e-tron[34] 170 70 56 104 3,616 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

2006: 123 complaints, 4 recalls20062007: 52 complaints, 3 recalls2008: 43 complaints, 3 recalls20082009: 48 complaints, 5 recalls2010: 50 complaints, 5 recalls20102011: 43 complaints, 4 recalls2012: 43 complaints, 4 recalls20122013: 20 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 180 complaints, 7 recalls20152016: 121 complaints, 6 recalls12120162017: 71 complaints, 5 recalls20172018: 45 complaints, 7 recalls2019: 15 complaints, 4 recalls20192020: 17 complaints, 3 recalls2022: 9 complaints, 6 recalls20222023: 7 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 2 complaints, 0 recalls20242025: 5 complaints, 0 recalls2026: 2 complaints, 0 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each A3 model year. The 2016 is highlighted[1].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20061234
2007523
2008433
2009485
2010505
2011434
2012434
2013203
20151807
20161216
2017715
2018457
2019154
2020173
202296
202372
202420
202550
202620

Among the Audi A3 model years NHTSA lists, 2015 has the most complaints at 180[1]. The 2006 model year has 123, and 2016 is third with 121[1]. The 2017 model year has 71[1].

On recalls, 2015 and 2018 have 7 each[1]. The 2016 model year has 6, the same as 2022[1]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where reports pile up, not how likely a failure is.

Should you buy a used 2016 Audi A3?

The 4-door versions earn 5 stars overall from NHTSA[6][24], and none of the 121 complaints reports a death[4]. There are 6 recalls, three about the passenger air bag or its sensor[14][15][16] and two about the fuel tank pump[13][17]. If you are considering one, find out whether each recall applies to that car and has been completed. Also ask about any passenger air bag warning lights, because those show up in the complaints we read[2]. Our data does not tell us how any single car has been maintained.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi A3?
Air bags is the largest NHTSA complaint group with 52 of 121 complaints[4][2]. In a sample we read, owners describe the passenger air bag switching off or showing a fault[2]. Fuel/propulsion has 22 complaints, with owners describing fuel leaks and spills in a sample we read[3].
Does the 2016 Audi A3 have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls[1]. They cover the fuel tank pump (24V110 and 16V647), the passenger air bag and its sensors (22V543, 21V198, 19V474) and side marker lights (16V642)[13][14][15][16][17][18].
What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Audi A3?
The 1.8L front-wheel drive A3 is rated 23 city, 33 highway and 27 combined MPG[19]. The 2.0L all-wheel drive A3 is rated 24, 33 and 27[20]. The e-tron is rated 35 MPGe combined[22].
How safe is the 2016 Audi A3?
NHTSA gives the 4-door A3 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal crash and rollover and 5 stars for side crash[6][24]. The cabriolet and the 5-door hatchback are not rated[25][26][27].
How does the 2016 A3 compare with the 2015?
NHTSA lists 121 complaints and 6 recalls for 2016, and 180 complaints and 7 recalls for 2015[1].

Facts and sources

  1. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A3 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  2. 52 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 22 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,707). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. NHTSA has 121 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Audi A3 (3 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. EPA rating for A3 Cabriolet, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 35 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 20 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,258). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 19 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,546). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 12 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 9 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 6 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the tires component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 24V110, filed February 14, 2024: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 22V543, filed July 27, 2022: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 21V198, filed March 22, 2021: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 19V474, filed June 19, 2019: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 16V647, filed September 7, 2016: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 16V642, filed September 6, 2016: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
  19. EPA rating for A3, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 33 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for A3 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 33 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for A3 Cabriolet quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for A3 e-tron, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S6), Premium and Electricity: 35 MPGe combined, 380 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for A3 e-tron ultra, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S6), Premium and Electricity: 39 MPGe combined, 430 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  25. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  26. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  27. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  28. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Audi A3 with 1.4L 4-cylinder: rated 150 hp. www.epa.gov
  29. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Audi A3 with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 170 hp. www.epa.gov
  30. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Audi A3 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 220 hp. www.epa.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A3 CABRIOLET: length 175 in, width 71 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,583 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A3 SEDAN 1.8 TFSI/2.0TDI: length 176 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,175 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  33. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A3 SEDAN 2.0 TFSI: length 176 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,362 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  34. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A3 SPORTBACK e-tron: length 170 in, width 70 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,616 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.