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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2015–2019

Audi A3 Cabriolet recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns and 164 owner complaints for the Audi A3 Cabriolet, covering model years 2015 to 2019. The 2015 model year drew the most complaints (87), and Air Bags is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Audi A3 Cabriolet VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 11 recall campaigns on file
  • 164 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 5 model years with data (2015–2019)
  • most complaints: 2015 (87 for that model year)
  • top component: Air Bags (77 complaints)
  • latest recall 19V474000 (reported Jun 19, 2019)
  • 1 complaint reporting a crash (0.6%)
  • 2 complaints reporting a fire (1.2%)
  • 0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Audi A3 Cabriolet complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2015 model year has the most complaints: 87 of 164, or 53.0%. Next come 2016 (36) and 2017 (25). The fewest are for 2019, with 4 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Audi A3 Cabriolet owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2015–2019Column chart of 164 complaints across 5 model years. The highest is 2015 with 87. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2015: 87 complaints8720152016: 36 complaints3620162017: 25 complaints2520172018: 12 complaints1220182019: 4 complaints42019
Audi A3 Cabriolet complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Audi A3 Cabriolet complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2015871000
2016360200
2017250000
2018120000
201940000
All model years1641200

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Audi A3 Cabriolet components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Air Bags is the component named most often, in 77 complaints (47.0% of all 164), followed by Engine (20) and Fuel/Propulsion System (16).

Components named most often in Audi A3 Cabriolet complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Audi A3 Cabriolet complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Air Bags7747.0%
Engine2012.2%
Fuel/Propulsion System169.8%
Electrical System148.5%
Fuel System, Gasoline127.3%
Power Train116.7%
Unknown or Other84.9%
Exterior Lighting74.3%
Wheels63.7%
Seat Belts42.4%
Service Brakes42.4%
Structure42.4%
Steering31.8%
Tires31.8%
Vehicle Speed Control31.8%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Audi A3 Cabriolet recalls

11 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name A3 Cabriolet, newest first. The 11 campaigns cover model years 2015 to 2019. The 2015 and 2018 model years appear in the most campaigns (5 each).

  • 11 recall campaigns
Audi A3 Cabriolet recall campaigns covering each model year
2015: 5 campaigns2016: 3 campaigns2017: 3 campaigns2018: 5 campaigns2019: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 19V474000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification

    Model years 2015–2019

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.

    Consequence:
    A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
    Remedy:
    Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 19V095000

    Reported

    Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly

    Model year 2018

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A3 sedan and RS3 vehicles. The latching pins for the center rear seat head restraint may be missing.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash, the head restraint may detach and cause injury to the vehicle occupants.
    Remedy:
    Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, replacing any that are missing pins, free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72I8.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 18V863000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

    Model year 2018

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The fuel hose quick connector may detach from the fuel supply line in the engine bay, resulting in a fuel leak.

    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the engine compartment can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the fuel line connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BK.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 18V803000

    Reported

    Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly

    Model year 2018

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.

    Consequence:
    If the guide sleeves are incorrectly welded, in the event of a crash, the rear seat head restraints may have reduced stability, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. 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 72H8 (VW) and 72H9(Audi).

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  5. NHTSA campaign 17V508000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine

    Model years 2017–2018

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet and A3 Sedan vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may misinterpret the flywheel rotation on engine start-up as a "knocking" condition, and the adjusted air/fuel mixture may result in an engine stall.

    Consequence:
    An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Audi will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24DF.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  6. NHTSA campaign 17V280000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Labels

    Model year 2015

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Audi A3 1.8T FWD S tronic and 2.0T Quattro S tronic vehicles. The safety certification label has an incorrect vehicle production date. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

    Consequence:
    In the event of a vehicle safety recall, an incorrect production date may prevent owners from determining if the recall affects them, increasing their risk of injury or a crash.
    Remedy:
    Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install an overlay label containing the correct vehicle production date, free of charge. The recall June 23, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51F5.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  7. NHTSA campaign 17V196000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification

    Model year 2017

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Consequence:
    If the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q3.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  8. NHTSA campaign 16V647000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline; Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control

    Model years 2015–2016

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system.

    Consequence:
    As fuel accumulates in the EVAP system, it may leak out through the charcoal canister filter element. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298, Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 20Y6 and 20Y5. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 24V-110.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  9. NHTSA campaign 16V642000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting; Electrical System › Software

    Model year 2016

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Consequence:
    If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  10. NHTSA campaign 15V824000

    Reported

    Seats; Air Bags › Side/Window

    Model year 2015

    Volkswagen Group of America, LLC (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet vehicles manufactured June 5, 2014, to April 1, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driver or front passenger seat whose cover may be incorrectly stitched, preventing the side air bag from properly deploying in the event of a crash.

    Consequence:
    Improper side air bag deployment may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's and/or front passenger's seatback cover, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on February 4, 2016. The recall began on February 29, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74C9.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Show 1 more recall

  1. NHTSA campaign 15V229000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump

    Model year 2015

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Golf, and GTI manufactured on February 17, 2014, to May 22, 2014, and Audi A3 manufactured on February 16, 2013, to April 23, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.

    Consequence:
    If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle will not start, or if the engine is running, it will stop and the vehicle will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any affected fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi at 1-800-253-2834.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Audi A3 Cabriolet questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Audi A3 Cabriolet have?

NHTSA lists 11 vehicle recall campaigns for the Audi A3 Cabriolet, covering model years 2015 to 2019. The most recent, 19V474000, was reported on June 19, 2019 and is filed under “Air bags”. The 2015 and 2018 model years are covered by the most campaigns (5 each).

Which Audi A3 Cabriolet model year has the most complaints?

The 2015 model year, with 87 of the 164 complaints in NHTSA’s file (53.0%). The next are 2016 (36) and 2017 (25). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Audi A3 Cabriolet complaint?

Air Bags is the component named most often: 77 complaints, or 47.0% of all 164. Engine (20) and Fuel/Propulsion System (16) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Audi A3 Cabriolet?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Audi dealer.

How many Audi A3 Cabriolet complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 164 complaints, 1 report a crash, 2 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Audi models

8 models · most complaints first

The Audi models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Audi VIN decoder with every Audi model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Audi A4 1995–2024 · 27 recalls · 2,893 complaints
  • Audi A6 1995–2026 · 54 recalls · 1,656 complaints
  • Audi Q5 2008–2026 · 33 recalls · 1,337 complaints
  • Audi Q7 2007–2026 · 32 recalls · 1,042 complaints
  • Audi A3 2001–2025 · 20 recalls · 728 complaints
  • Audi S4 1995–2022 · 15 recalls · 560 complaints
  • Audi A5 2008–2026 · 19 recalls · 325 complaints
  • Audi TT 2000–2023 · 12 recalls · 319 complaints

All Audi models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.