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2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 25.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Limited mileage data: 15 of 25 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2019
Engine

I WILL BE DRIVING AND STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I GO LET MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK TO START DRIVING AGAIN MY CAR THEN SPAZZES AND SAYS PLEASE SHIFT CAR INTO PARK AND I AM UNABLE TO DIVE MY CAR AND I HAVE TO RESTART IT A FEW TIMES TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. IT IS VER SCARY BECAUSE EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFI…

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I WILL BE DRIVING AND STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I GO LET MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK TO START DRIVING AGAIN MY CAR THEN SPAZZES AND SAYS PLEASE SHIFT CAR INTO PARK AND I AM UNABLE TO DIVE MY CAR AND I HAVE TO RESTART IT A FEW TIMES TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. IT IS VER SCARY BECAUSE EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I CAN'T MOVE. IT'S ALWAYS HAPPENED WHEN I AM AT A LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN. IT HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 10 TIMES SINCE I HAVE HAD MY CAR AND WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO AUDI THEY TOLD ME THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR

NHTSA ODI #11202561

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2017
Air BagsEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER (AUDI WEST HOUSTON, 15865 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77094, (855) 627-2941) MADE NO MENTION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V508000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BEFORE SELLING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V196000 (AIR BAGS) OF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER (AUDI WEST HOUSTON, 15865 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77094, (855) 627-2941) MADE NO MENTION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V508000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BEFORE SELLING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V196000 (AIR BAGS) OF WHICH THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER (AUDI CENTRAL HOUSTON, 2120 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77098, (855) 627-5368) STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT COMPLETED PRIOR TO SELLING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11033133

2,700 miles · Jul 14, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AS A PARENT YOU WANT TO HAVE YOU CHILD AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.THE VEHICLE IS ANYTHING BUT SAFE. AS A MATTER OF FACT IT'S AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. OR WORST A FATALITY.THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING JUST TURNS OFF. IT WASN'T EVEN A MONTH INTO OWNING THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT ISSU…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AS A PARENT YOU WANT TO HAVE YOU CHILD AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.THE VEHICLE IS ANYTHING BUT SAFE. AS A MATTER OF FACT IT'S AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. OR WORST A FATALITY.THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING JUST TURNS OFF. IT WASN'T EVEN A MONTH INTO OWNING THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT ISSUES STARTED TO ARISE. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING.ABOUT 4 WEEKS LATER, WHILE ENTERING THE EXPRESSWAY,ONCE AGAIN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING COMPLETELY TURN OFF. BY A MIRACLE OF GOD MY DAUGHTER DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS MANY OTHER VEHICLES ARE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. ON 3/31/17 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO THE COLLECTION,WHERE THEY COULD NOT TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS SINCE THEY THEMSELVES HAD NO CLUE. BUT THEY DID TELL ME THAT THERE WAS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM SINCE WHEN THEY CONNECTED THE VEHICLE TO THE COMPUTER IT GAVE SPORADIC ERROR CODES. I WAS TOLD THAT AUDI CORPORATE OFFICE WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE COLLECTION TO INSPECT THE FUEL SYSTEM AND HOSE, ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND VEHICLE PROGRAM ALL OF WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS DONE. ON 4/27/17 ANOTHER INCIDENT OCCURRED. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE BEHIND MY DAUGHTER WAS ALSO TURNING RIGHT BEHIND HER AND ALMOST REAR ENDED HER SINCE EVEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING T. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAFFIC INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RESPONDING TO THE SHIFTING OF GEARS OR TO THE ACCELERATOR. AT THIS POINT THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT RESPONDING AT ALL LEAVING MY DAUGHTER STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING CARS AND AGITATED DRIVERS AROUND HER. THE COLLECTION HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THEIR SHOP WHERE IT HAS BEEN EVER SINCE. NO ONE, NOT EVEN AUDI'S CORPORATE HEAD ENGINEER HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11005273

9,000 miles · Jul 12, 2017
EngineService BrakesUnknown Or Other

ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND DISPLAYS MESSAGE OF "START/STOP SYSTEM DEACTIVATED. PLEASE RESTART ENGINE MANUALLY. THE YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN APPEARS. AND THE VEHICLE ROLLS AWAY UNLESS BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES - 10 TIMES IN MY CAR, 3 IN MY FIRST LOA…

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ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND DISPLAYS MESSAGE OF "START/STOP SYSTEM DEACTIVATED. PLEASE RESTART ENGINE MANUALLY. THE YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN APPEARS. AND THE VEHICLE ROLLS AWAY UNLESS BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES - 10 TIMES IN MY CAR, 3 IN MY FIRST LOANER CAR AND 6 IN MY SECOND LOANER CAR. THE VEHICLE IS USUALLY IN MOTION RIGHT AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED AND THE CAR IS DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 500 FEET, AFTER THE CAR IS GOING 3-5 MPH THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND THE CAR WILL ROLL AWAY. ON OTHER OCCASIONS WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND WILL ROLL AWAY. EACH TIME YOU MUST PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION A PRE SENSE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WHERE THE CAR SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES IN TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION. THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE NO ANSWERS FOR THE FIRST PART, BUT CLAIM A BUG ON THE SENSORS CAUSED THE CAR TO SLAM ON ITS BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI #11004966

4,671 miles · Jun 21, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (CROWN AUDI LOCATED AT 19940 US HIGHWAY 19 N CLEARWATER, FL 33764 888-460-6467) WHERE IT WAS STILL BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 AUDI A3. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (CROWN AUDI LOCATED AT 19940 US HIGHWAY 19 N CLEARWATER, FL 33764 888-460-6467) WHERE IT WAS STILL BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 08/22/17*LJ UPDATED 8/25/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #11000404

Official recalls

3

19V474000 · 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.

17V508000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Aug 16, 2017

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 & remedy

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.

17V196000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Mar 22, 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 & remedy

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.

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

1

RQ23007 · 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.