IllustrationAS OTHERS HAVE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, THE LOW BEAMS / REGULAR HEADLIGHTS ON THE A3 ARE SET TOO LOW AND SO MUCH OF THE ROAD AHEAD REMAINS BLACK. THIS IS A HAZARD AS YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF OBSTACLES AND TURNS IN THE ROAD UNTIL TOO LATE.
2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 25.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A3 Cabriolet years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
220–25K
2025–50K
1650–75K
075–100K
3100–150K
2150K+
63 reports with mileage · 24 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
5 reportsTHE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTING SUDDENLY DROPS OFF INTO DARK AREA ABOUT 25 FEET IN FRONT. THE DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS UPWARD TO THE LIMIT THEY CLAIM THEY CAN. HOWEVER, IT REMAINS VERY DARK BEYOND THE HEADLIGHT REACH, WHEN ON UNLIT RURAL ROADS. A PERSON OR ANIMAL IN THAT ZONE WOULD NOT BE SEEN IN TIME TO AVOID.
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO LOW. THERE IS A DROP-OFF SO THERE APPEARS A DARK AREA ABOUT 10 FEET IN FRONT AND TO THE LEFT OF THE DRIVER SIDE WHEN DRIVING. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE RIGHT BEAM IS CROSSING THE LEFT. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH EUROPEAN CODE AND THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY CARS IN …
Read full complaint
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO LOW. THERE IS A DROP-OFF SO THERE APPEARS A DARK AREA ABOUT 10 FEET IN FRONT AND TO THE LEFT OF THE DRIVER SIDE WHEN DRIVING. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE RIGHT BEAM IS CROSSING THE LEFT. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH EUROPEAN CODE AND THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY CARS IN MY LIFE WHERE THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION - IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD.
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE 2015 AUDI A3 INADEQATELY LIGHTS THE ROAD AHEAD ESPECIALLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD AHEAD TO THE POINT THAT IT HAS BECOME A SAFERY PROBLEM TO MYSELF AND ANYONE USING THIS VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS HOW THE …
Read full complaint
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE 2015 AUDI A3 INADEQATELY LIGHTS THE ROAD AHEAD ESPECIALLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD AHEAD TO THE POINT THAT IT HAS BECOME A SAFERY PROBLEM TO MYSELF AND ANYONE USING THIS VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS HOW THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DESIGNED AND WE MUST LIVE WITH IT. THEY LET US DRIVE AN AUDI A4 HOME IN THE DARK AND HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AND SEEING THE ROAD IN SHORT, THERE IS A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM HERE THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED ON THE 2015 AUDI A3 !!!!
I WAS BEHIND A NEWER AUDI SEDAN (POSSIBLE A3 2.0T) AT NIGHT, AND WAS BLINDED BY THE BRIGHTNESS FROM THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE LIGHTS WERE TOO BRIGHT FOR ME TO SAFELY KEEP MY EYES ON THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING A 2001 LEXUS LX470, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE HEIGHT OF MY VEHICLE MADE A DIFFERENCE ON THE ANGLE OF THE LIGHT. I HAD TO GET IN …
Read full complaint
I WAS BEHIND A NEWER AUDI SEDAN (POSSIBLE A3 2.0T) AT NIGHT, AND WAS BLINDED BY THE BRIGHTNESS FROM THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE LIGHTS WERE TOO BRIGHT FOR ME TO SAFELY KEEP MY EYES ON THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING A 2001 LEXUS LX470, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE HEIGHT OF MY VEHICLE MADE A DIFFERENCE ON THE ANGLE OF THE LIGHT. I HAD TO GET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO AVOID A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. *TR
Official recalls
519V474000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Jun 19, 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 & remedy
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.
17V280000 · Equipment:other:labels
Apr 26, 2017
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 & remedy
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.
16V647000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control ; Fuel System, Gasoline
Sep 7, 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 & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control
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.
15V824000 · Air Bags:side/window; Seats
Dec 8, 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 & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
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.
Air Bags:side/window
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.
15V229000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Apr 17, 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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1RQ23007 · Fuel Leak Due To Suction Jet Pump Failure Within Fuel Tank (remedy Effectiveness Of Recall 16V647)
Opened Dec 12, 2023 · Closed Jul 1, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Fuel System, Gasoline
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.