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Air bagsPart report

2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet Air bags Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
42%of 36 total for the year
Median mileage
38,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 42% of the 36 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“We received two safety recalls from Audi: NHTSA recall #16v647 and #16v642. We were informed by Audi that the service would have to be completed by an authorized Audi dealer. The closest Audi dealer is in honolulu, which would require us to ship our car from maui. Given this was an Audi recall, it was my expectation that they would either pay the costs or authorize the work to be done on maui by the vw dealer, which is one of Audi's sister companies. Neither recall has been completed as of today. …”

NHTSA complaint #10984399, filed 2017-05, 17,215 miles

“I have a 2016 Audi a3 that has a current recall on the (pods) system and the dealer and Audi USA tells me they do not have the parts and have no idea when it will be available! I drive and pick up my 15 year old grandson to school each day and I am fear-full Audi must be made to come up with the parts. What good is a recall by NHTSA if nothing gets completed??”

NHTSA complaint #11256484, filed 2019-09

“The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repair. The contact stated that the warning message System Failure - Replace Sensor would illuminate and the seat belt chime reminder would engage whenever the front passenger’s seat was unoccupied and the seat belt was not buckled. …”

NHTSA complaint #11472867, filed 2022-07, 42,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2016 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”

NHTSA complaint #11436608, filed 2021-10, 65,000 miles

“The contact and his wife own a 2016 Audi A3. The contact had received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted and informed that the parts remained unavailable despite the letter that stated otherwise. The contact also stated that the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) was inactive and that the passenger air bag warning light had illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. …”

NHTSA complaint #11445944, filed 2022-01, 20,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2018758%
20171352%
20161542%
20153844%

Other parts of the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet

Fuel system
8 complaints
Engine
6 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Other or unknown
3 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
3 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints
Tires
1 complaints
Vehicle speed control
1 complaints
Wheels
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology