Audi A3 Cabriolet Problems by Year
NHTSA has 164 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls on file for the Audi A3 Cabriolet, across 5 model years (2015–2019). The 2015 model year has the most complaints (87). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.
Audi A3 Cabriolet years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical A3 Cabriolet year: 2015. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2015 A3 Cabriolet: 87 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2016 A3 Cabriolet: 36 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2017 A3 Cabriolet: 25 complaints, 3 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Audi A3 Cabriolet problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 77 | 5 | 0 |
| Engine | 20 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 16 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 14 | 4 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Structure | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Audi A3 Cabriolet model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 A3 Cabriolet | 4 | 1 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2018 A3 Cabriolet | 12 | 5 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2017 A3 Cabriolet | 25 | 3 | — | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2016 A3 Cabriolet | 36 | 3 | — | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
| 2015 A3 Cabriolet | 87 | 5 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Audi: all Audi models · Audi VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi A3 Cabriolet years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2015 (87) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical A3 Cabriolet year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Audi A3 Cabriolet?
Air Bags, with 77 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Audi A3 Cabriolet have?
11 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.