Audi A3 Cabriolet Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 160 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the Audi A3 Cabriolet (2015–2018) that have at least 5 complaints. 2015 has the most, with 87. Across all years, the part named most often is air bags (73 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst A3 Cabriolet years →
All A3 Cabriolet model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 12 | 34,050 | 5 | 444 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 25 | 40,000 | 3 | 496 | 19 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2016 | 36 | 28,000 | 3 | 536 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 87 | 33,000 | 5 | 702 | 88 · More | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Air bags73 44%
- Fuel system27 16%
- Engine20 12%
- Electrical system14 8.4%
- Transmission and drivetrain11 6.6%
- Other or unknown8 4.8%
- Exterior lighting7 4.2%
- Wheels6 3.6%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2015: “Clicking or clunking noises from the front end suspension. Asked my dealer about it and they said they couldn't duplicate it. The moment I got back into it reoccurred when I went over a bump. I've noticed may complains/Audi tsbs posted about the rear end and the front end. Lubrication required or remounting/replacing the shock mounts.”
NHTSA complaint #11130450, filed 2018-09, 20,000 miles2016: “Driving 50-60 MPH on the fwy when all of a sudden the car started to jerk/stutter and then it lost speed. The jerking is similar to a new driver learning how to drive a manual transmission where you're thrown fwd and back somewhat violently. As I tried to accelerate back to fwy speed, it wouldn't accelerate. It kept slowing down instead. No cel illuminated. I decided to exit and pulled into a parking lot.”
NHTSA complaint #11000378, filed 2017-06, 19,878 miles2017: “The shoulder strap of the front seat belt is a few inches from my body when fastened. I am tall and skinny so this may not be an issue with other body types. The problem is due to a rigid seat belt receptacle that is tilted forward and fixed in place. Every other Audi model has a flexible seat belt receptacle which allows the shoulder strap to fit snugly against my body. Only the a3 has this issue. I have the seat back as far forward as is comfortable.”
NHTSA complaint #11023393, filed 2017-09, 66 milesOther Audi models
2,893 complaintsAudi A6
1,653 complaintsAudi Q5
1,348 complaintsAudi Q7
1,052 complaintsAudi A3
727 complaintsAudi S4
577 complaintsAudi A5
324 complaintsAudi TT
306 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology