2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 8%of 36 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 8% of the 36 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Twice I have experienced the random loss of power. The first time occurred on a local street, driving approximately 40 MPH, and all of a sudden the vehicle stuttered and lost power. It appeared as if the vehicle was slowing down, not even coasting but slowing down considerably. I was required to pull onto a side road. I restarted the car and the issue disappeared. The second time occurred on the highway driving in the left lane at approximately 70 MPH. Same issue, car stuttered and then loss power. The car's speed slowed considerable fast, from 70 to 30 in apprximately 5-7 seconds. …”
NHTSA complaint #11067212, filed 2018-02, 15,500 miles“This is in regards to the a3 e-tron. There is a delay between starting the car and the car being engaging the powertrain and being ready to drive. During that delay, one is able to put the car in gear before the engine is 'ready'. This creates situations where you can put the car in gear on a hill, and the car rolls backwards and you do not have steering or power breaks to stop the car. The only way to regain control of the car is to to put your foot on the break (without power steering), put the car in gear, and power cycle the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10929393, filed 2016-12, 50 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Audi a3. When placing the vehicle in reverse, the vehicle would lunge or roll forward before reversing. The manufacturer and an unknown dealer were contacted, but could not provide a remedy. The failure mileage was 12,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11021593, filed 2017-09, 12,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11033475May 6, 2026The high-voltage batteries in electric vehicles are subject to various ageing effects which could lead to the energy content (energy density) being reduced. This reduction in the…
- 11027358Dec 11, 2025This bulletin provides additoinal information to assist in determining the energy content of lithium-ion high-voltage batteries.
- 11011241Nov 25, 2024This bulletin provides information when the engine warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster, and the vehicle has reduced power. DTCs P256300, P056E00, P00AF00.
- 11009318Sep 26, 2024This bulletin provides information when the engine warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster, and the vehicle has reduced power. DTCs P256300, P056E00, P00AF00.
- 11007305Aug 8, 2024This bulletin offers information about the basic information needed for technical requests for gaerbox complaints.
- 11007224Aug 8, 2024This bulletin offers information about the basic information needed for technical requests for gaerbox complaints.
- 11005880Jul 31, 2024This bulletin provides information for when there is a leak from the end cover of the dual clutch.
- 11005878Jul 31, 2024This bulletin provides information about replacing the clutch end cover.
- 11005877Jul 31, 2024This bulletin provides information about replacing the clutch end cover.
- 11005861Jul 31, 2024This bulletin provides information when there is a fault shown; Engine: start/stop system, and the start system is not working; mileage below 50 km/32 miles.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet
15 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsWheels
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 30, 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