2016 Audi A3

81 complaints on file, page 1 of 5.

1. Filed Jul 21, 2026Failure Jul 21, 202644,000 milesFort Myers, FLAir bags, Engine and engine cooling

   The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the front passenger’s 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. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11751789
2. Filed Apr 9, 2026Failure Apr 9, 2026Stone Mountain, GAElectrical system, Fuel/propulsion system

   Electrical problems and fuel leak

   NHTSA complaint 11730283
3. Filed Jan 30, 2026Failure Nov 8, 2025Laveen, AZExterior lighting, Body, SuspensionCrash1 injured

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11714479
4. Filed Oct 1, 2025Failure Sep 24, 2025leeds, ALFuel/propulsion systemFire

   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!

   NHTSA complaint 11690869
5. Filed Sep 25, 2025Failure Sep 12, 2025Jacksonville, FLElectrical system

   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

   NHTSA complaint 11689751
6. Filed Sep 12, 2025Failure Sep 12, 202583,000 milesBaton Rouge, LA12v/24v/48v battery

   The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the engine running, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power. During the failure, the message “Driver System Fault” was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was unable to restart or operate the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Hybrid battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11686827
7. Filed Aug 29, 2025Failure Aug 5, 2025Statesboro, GAAir bags

   Passenger airbag not activated when passenger is seated

   NHTSA complaint 11683973
8. Filed Aug 15, 2025Failure Jul 15, 2025Sammamish, WAAir bags

   Passenger Occupancy Detection System is malfunctioning. Pre-sense system fault

   NHTSA complaint 11680876
9. Filed Jul 17, 2025Failure Apr 23, 2025Hagerstown, MDUnknown or other

   The rearview camera is failed. Yes I can have an inspection done. Yes, dealer confirmed that camera is failed but wanted hundreds of dollars to troubleshoot. Has not been inspected by police or insurance. No it just stopped working one day.

   NHTSA complaint 11674377
10. Filed Jun 12, 2025Failure Aug 1, 2024Moraga, CAVisibility/wiper

    The rear wiper hose is consistently getting completely clogged so that no fluid comes out when the spray mechanism is engaged. The dealership has replaced it for a fee two or three times. At the last service they told us they cleaned it and did not charge a fee. However, within two months it was clogged again. I have noticed that the issue is more likely to occur after (intentionally or accidentally) using the rear window defroster. I am therefore wondering whether the hose is made of a plastic that is too soft, causing it to change shape as a response to the defroster heat.

    NHTSA complaint 11666478
11. Filed Apr 10, 2025Failure Apr 10, 2025LOS Angeles, CAFuel/propulsion system, Power train

    Mechatronics unit failed, stalled on freeway nearly caused an accident behind me.

    NHTSA complaint 11653834
12. Filed Mar 27, 2025Failure Mar 30, 2024New Bedford, MAAir bags, Unknown or other

    Passenger air bag not working light of airbag system stays on

    NHTSA complaint 11651010
13. Filed Mar 12, 2025Failure Sep 12, 202367,000 milesLos Angeles, CAAir bags

    The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the front passenger’s seat air bag sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The air bag warning was illuminated approximately one and a half years later. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who informed the contact that the repair was no longer covered under warranty. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a claim was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11647871
14. Filed Feb 19, 2025Failure Feb 6, 2025Smyrna, GAPower train

    The **mechatronic unit** (integrated into the S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission) is the primary component that fails. This unit controls gear shifts, clutch engagement, and hydraulic pressure within the transmission. Common failure points include: - Internal electronic control module (ECU) faults. - Malfunctioning solenoids or pressure valves. - Software glitches or calibration errors. **2. Safety Risks** Mechatronic failure poses significant safety risks: - **Erratic Gear Shifts**: Sudden jerks, delayed engagement, or refusal to shift gears could lead to loss of vehicle control, especially in traffic or during overtaking . - **Limp Mode**: The transmission may default to a single gear (e.g., 3rd gear), severely limiting acceleration and braking responsiveness . - **Complete Gear Loss**: Loss of reverse or multiple forward gears increases collision risks during parking or low-speed maneuvers . --- **3. Confirmation by Dealers/Service Centers** Dealers and independent specialists can reproduce and confirm the issue through: - **Diagnostic Scans**: Fault codes like "implausible gear ratio," "valve electrical faults," or "clutch adaptation limits" often indicate mechatronic failure . - **Physical Testing**: Symptoms such as harsh shifting, RPM fluctuations, or transmission warnings (e.g., flashing PRNDS lights) are observable during test drives . - Audi has issued **Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs)** for related transmission issues, though the 2016 A3 e-tron’s mechatronic unit isn’t part of a formal recall.

    NHTSA complaint 11643795
15. Filed Dec 31, 2024Failure Dec 2, 2024Shandon, CAElectrical system

    The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the Electronic Power Control System (EPC light) malfunctioned, and the vehicle lost power. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power, the temperature gauge raised with the radiator fan activated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle restarted immediately. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The check engine warning light and the electronic power control system warning light was illuminating on and off. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

    NHTSA complaint 11633446
16. Filed Oct 31, 2024Failure Sep 23, 202492,000 milesDenver, COEngine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline

    The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle hesitated while starting. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure persisted before starting. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was an engine misfire and a leak in the fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V647000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11622918
17. Filed Oct 9, 2024Failure Oct 1, 2024El Prado, NMSidewall, Tread/belt

    225/45r17 Dry rot on all four tires less than three years old - and actually used for fewer than 18 months as alternated with winter tires - crack runs entire circumference of tire - deep - at joining of sidewall to tread. Nokian has said that this is “cosmetic sidewall cracking” - there is nothing cosmetic about it and each tire dealer I have visited reports that the tires are unsafe and need to be replaced. This is also supposedly a known issue that Nokia has acknowledged but not provided any extra coverage for.

    NHTSA complaint 11618867
18. Filed Sep 30, 2024Failure Sep 16, 202495,000 milesOrlando, FLFuel system, Gasoline

    The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, fuel started leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering while being started. The failure occurred intermittently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact removed the EVAP hose and became aware that the hose was filled with gasoline. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The dealer confirmed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11617242
19. Filed Aug 8, 2024Failure Aug 8, 2024West Palm Beach, FLEngine, Fuel system, Gasoline

    The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine and low oil warning lights illuminated. The contact also became aware that there was fuel leaking from the charcoal canister. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the evaporative emissions and charcoal canister needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

    NHTSA complaint 11607390
20. Filed Aug 2, 2024Failure Aug 2, 2024Spring Hill, FLFuel/propulsion system

    Audi continues to tell me that this recall has been completed yet Audi’s website clearly states of the recall has not been completed your website. States of the recalls not completed and car fractures that recalls not been completed. Yet they refuse to complete the recall in my car.

    NHTSA complaint 11606020