2016 Audi A3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- Cabriolet, Sedan 1.8 Tfsi/2.0tdi, Sedan 2.0 Tfsi, Sportback E-Tron
- Engines
- 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 170–220 hp
- Transmission
- automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 39 combined · 37 city / 41 hwy
- Length
- 169.7–175.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,175–3,616 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 39 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2016 compact car (26.6 MPG).
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints121 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 7 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
- 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 0). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 15 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Audi A3 is a compact car offered with 3 engines (1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 175 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,583 lb (Cabriolet).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 39 MPG combined (37 city / 41 highway), 47% better than the 2016 compact car average of 26.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,100 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 121 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2016
- New plug-in hybrid version
- No diesel version any more
- Engine added: 1.4L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 35 to 39
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 A3 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Gyor, Hungary · Ingolstadt, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 A3 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabriolet | 174.8 in | 70.9 in | 53.5 in | 102.4 in | 60.6 / 59.4 in | 3,583 lb | 60/40 |
| Sedan 1.8 Tfsi/2.0tdi | 175.6 in | 70.9 in | 55.9 in | 103.9 in | 61.4 / 60.2 in | 3,175 lb | 60/40 |
| Sedan 2.0 Tfsi | 175.6 in | 70.9 in | 55.9 in | 103.9 in | 61.4 / 60.2 in | 3,362 lb | 60/40 |
| Sportback E-Tron | 169.7 in | 70.5 in | 56.3 in | 103.9 in | 60.6 / 59.4 in | 3,616 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 e-tron ultra Plug-in Hybrid | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 37 / 41 / 39 | +47% | $2,100 | 138 |
| A3 e-tron Plug-in Hybrid | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 33 / 37 / 35 | +32% | $2,350 | 158 |
| A3 Cabriolet | 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 35 / 28 | +18% | $2,400 | 314 |
| A3 | 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 33 / 27 | +14% | $2,500 | 328 |
| A3 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 33 / 27 | +14% | $2,500 | 323 |
| A3 Cabriolet quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | +10% | $2,600 | 334 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Audi A3.
Similar 2016 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Audi A3 (this car) | 39 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2016 BMW 3 Series | 35 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 Lexus IS | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 Audi A5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Volvo S60 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 BMW X1 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 BMW 2 Series | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (6)
Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 14, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V110000 · 261,257 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- 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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jul 27, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V543000 · 1,216 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Mar 22, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V198000 · 153,152 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- 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 › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Jun 19, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V474000 · 138,896 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 7, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V647000 · 110,042 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Exterior Lighting · Sep 6, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V642000 · 79,895 vehicles
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2016 Audi A3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Audi A3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 52 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 22 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Electrical System — 17 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 41,259 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Audi A3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other A3 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 A3 | 28 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 A3 | 28 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 A3 | 28 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 5 |
| 2024 A3 | 32 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 A3 | 32 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 7 |
| 2022 A3 | 32 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 9 |
| 2020 A3 | 30 | 175.6 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 17 |
| 2019 A3 | 29 | 175.6 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 15 |
| 2018 A3 | 36 | 174.8 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 45 |
| 2017 A3 | 34 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 5 | 71 |
| 2015 A3 | 35 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 7 | 176 |
| 2013 A3 | 32 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 16 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →