← New search

2016 Audi A3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Audi A3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 26.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 17 of 81 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

16 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2023
Fuel/propulsion System

Cust gasoline is spilling out of the rear part of the unit. The following complaint, was escalated to AUDi USA related to recall of the suction pump, campaign number 16V647000. My vehicle was replaced or completed the recall on 2017, as requested, approximately 1 years or less of the purchase. Now my vehicle presents the same s…

Read full complaint

Cust gasoline is spilling out of the rear part of the unit. The following complaint, was escalated to AUDi USA related to recall of the suction pump, campaign number 16V647000. My vehicle was replaced or completed the recall on 2017, as requested, approximately 1 years or less of the purchase. Now my vehicle presents the same situation with only 32,000miles and Audi, may be a quotation over $5300 to repair a car that have the same behavior or symptoms that the suction pump recall, with its a safety recall. The car didn't present in the dashboard any flag of malfunction to advise of the danger situation, was in the store parking and one person point me that the car is spill gasoline. The car was moved in the trolley crane to the mechanic's shop. The mechanics, told me that Audi, is responsible for this situation because was a recall. I called to Audi Puerto Rico, and uSA and told me that the car has 7 years, and it is out of warranty. I reiterated, that is a manufactured detects and Audi will be responsible because is a safety issue and the car didn’t present any advice of .

NHTSA ODI #11549263

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

I had a safety issue with the gas tank not accepting gas and spilling over and out. I replaced the gas tank and vapor canister, and costly labor. My car was taken to: Palm Beach Performance RO#: 11887 1761 Latham Rd West Palm Beach, FL 33409 Tel#: 561-932-8840

NHTSA ODI #11493878

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

The component failing seems to be the fuel system. It is unsafe because the vehicle shoots out fuel all over the place (which is a fire hazard) when I attempt to add fuel to the car. Even though this problem (for our vehicle) is listed on an Audi Technical Service Bulletin, they said that they have nothing to do with the problem…

Read full complaint

The component failing seems to be the fuel system. It is unsafe because the vehicle shoots out fuel all over the place (which is a fire hazard) when I attempt to add fuel to the car. Even though this problem (for our vehicle) is listed on an Audi Technical Service Bulletin, they said that they have nothing to do with the problem. Audi won't inspect the problem just said I have to pay for any repairs. There were no warning lamps, etc. One day the car just starting spitting gas out and has become progressively worse as time has passed. Can only add an extreme minimum amount (about $5.00 worth or less) of fuel to the fuel tank before it shoots out all over the place. The Audi Technical Service Bulletin is uploaded below. We purchased the 2016 car about two years ago but haven't driven it much until recently.

NHTSA ODI #11479765

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2022
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

Upon parking in my garage, the vehicle leaked fuel from the rear-wheel on passenger side. There were no warning lights to indicate the fuel line or other component was compromised or malfunction. The vehicle was towed to the Audi service center for inspection. The inspection revealed fuel was in the charcoal canister, filter an…

Read full complaint

Upon parking in my garage, the vehicle leaked fuel from the rear-wheel on passenger side. There were no warning lights to indicate the fuel line or other component was compromised or malfunction. The vehicle was towed to the Audi service center for inspection. The inspection revealed fuel was in the charcoal canister, filter and leak diagnostic pump; replacements were needed. Please see video: https://api.mykaarma.com/video-walkaround/details?inspection_uuid=62b08d040e1dff5107d5e511&fileType=image_and_video The fuel leak was similar to the 2016 Audi Recall 16V647000; it was due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. As fuel accumulated in the EVAP system, it leaked out through the charcoal canister filter element.

NHTSA ODI #11470551

74,517 miles · Mar 31, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

AUDI A3 QUATTRO 2016 MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) CAME ON WHILST DRIVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE THE VERSION OF THE ECM IN MY VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND MAY BE RELATED TO "SAFETY RECALL 24DF": HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/RCL/2017/RCONL-17V508-5502.PDF HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/RCL/2017/RCAK-17V508-2021.PDF C…

Read full complaint

AUDI A3 QUATTRO 2016 MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) CAME ON WHILST DRIVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE THE VERSION OF THE ECM IN MY VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND MAY BE RELATED TO "SAFETY RECALL 24DF": HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/RCL/2017/RCONL-17V508-5502.PDF HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/RCL/2017/RCAK-17V508-2021.PDF CROSS REFERENCING "APPLICATION FOR EMISSIONS CERTIFICATION 2016 MODEL YEAR" "TEST GROUP: GVGAV02.0APA", IN PARTICULAR PAGE 79 FOR MY ENGINE CODE "CNTC" WHICH LISTS SOFTWARE ID "5G0906259L": HTTPS://IASPUB.EPA.GOV/OTAQPUB/DISPLAY_FILE.JSP?DOCID=43249&FLAG=1 THE ECU PART NUMBER WAS SUPERSEDED WITHOUT BEING PROPERLY RELEASED FOR EDIR OR CAL ID AND CVN INFORMATION. PLEASE NOTE THE DIFFERENCE IN PART NUMBER SUFFIX. "B" VS "L". I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR IS CURRENTLY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND NEEDS REPAIRING. BELOW IS OUTPUT FROM VCDS DIAGNOSTIC TOOL SHOWING THE FAULT AND ECU SOFTWARE ID "5G0 906 259 D" 0001 (FULL OUTPUT CAN BE PROVIDED): ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADDRESS 01: ENGINE (J623-CNTC) LABELS:. 06K-907-425-V1.CLB PART NO SW: 5G0 906 259 D HW: 06K 907 425 B COMPONENT: 2.0L R4 TFSI H13 0001 REVISION: --H13--- CODING: 0A1D00124426000F2000 SHOP #: WSC 06385 790 00016 ASAM DATASET: EV_ECM20TFS0205G0906259D 001002 ROD: EV_ECM20TFS0205G0906259D.ROD VCID: 2F3B1884879B11D3269-807A 1 FAULT FOUND: 15059 - FUEL RAIL/SYSTEM PRESSURE P0087 00 [104] - TOO LOW INTERMITTENT - CONFIRMED - TESTED SINCE MEMORY CLEAR FREEZE FRAME: FAULT STATUS: 00000001 FAULT PRIORITY: 2 FAULT FREQUENCY: 2 MILEAGE: 119924 KM DATE: 2021.03.17 TIME: 12:39:23

NHTSA ODI #11405759

62,300 miles · Jan 6, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

I CANT GET GAS , IT GOES OUT OF THE TANK

NHTSA ODI #11297295

Official recalls

3

24V110000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Feb 14, 2024

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 & remedy

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.

22V543000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jul 27, 2022

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 & remedy

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.

21V198000 · Air BAGS:ON-OFF Switch Assembly; Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

Mar 22, 2021

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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.

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.

Air BAGS:ON-OFF Switch Assembly

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

RQ23007 · Fuel Leak Due To Suction Jet Pump Failure Within Fuel Tank (remedy Effectiveness Of Recall 16V647)

Opened Dec 12, 2023 · Closed Jul 1, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Fuel System, Gasoline

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.