CSR

Audi · NHTSA safety record

2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

87

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet have filed 87 safety complaints with NHTSA between October 2014 and July 2023. The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 38 of them (44%). The typical failure was reported at 33,000 miles, the median across the 63 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 5 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (5)

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

19V474000 · June 19, 2019

The defect
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.
The risk
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 138,896 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

17V280000 · April 26, 2017

The defect
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."
The risk
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.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 2,091 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

16V647000 · September 7, 2016

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 110,042 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

15V824000 · December 8, 2015

The defect
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.
The risk
Improper side air bag deployment may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 904 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

15V229000 · April 17, 2015

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 6,205 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)

RQ23007

Closed recall query · opened December 12, 2023 · closed July 1, 2024 · led to recall 24V110

the gasoline fuel system

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.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 87.

AIR BAGS 38 44%
ENGINE 9 10%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8 9%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 7 8%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5 6%
POWER TRAIN 5 6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4 5%
WHEELS 4 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 3%
STRUCTURE 3 3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 2 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2022 at 19.

2014 2022 2023
2014 to 2023

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · 36,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER HUSBAND WHO OWNS A 2015 AUDI A3. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH OF 2019. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE CLOSER TO THE CURB. WHEN THE DRIVER SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IT TOOK THE DRIVER EXCESSIVE STRENGTH TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS IN SHOCK. THE DAY BEFORE THE

NHTSA complaint 11253010, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

113,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated while refueling, there was gasoline leaking from the vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle however, while the vehicle was parked gasoline was still leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the suction pump had failed and that the suction pump, charcoal canister, and a valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 113,000.

NHTSA complaint 11535597. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint 11492749. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint 11490611. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint 11490229. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

33,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated while reversing out his driveway, the steering wheel firm and hard to turn. The contact noticed that an unknown warning light was illuminated. Additionally, there was a message stating “Do not Drive”. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact was also informed that the steering wheel assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 33,000.

NHTSA complaint 11489559. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint 11489629. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Audi A3 Cabriolet

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2018 12 5
2017 25 3
2016 36 3

Other 2015 Audi models

Every Audi on this site — 147 vehicles, 216 recall campaigns and 0 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

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