Vehicle Recall IndexVIN decoding & NHTSA recall records

Model year 2016 · Audi

2016 Audi A3 / S3 / RS 3 recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Audi A3 / S3 / RS 3. The most recent was reported on February 14, 2024. Campaigns are matched by the model names in NHTSA's records: A3, A3 CABRIOLET, A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON, S3.

NHTSA data through October 6, 2026 · How these pages are built

Campaigns at a glance

Recall campaigns for the 2016 Audi A3 / S3 / RS 3, newest first
NHTSA numberReportedComponent
24V110000February 14, 2024Fuel System, Gasoline
22V543000July 27, 2022Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module
21V198000March 22, 2021Air Bags › On-Off Switch Assembly
19V474000June 19, 2019Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification
16V647000September 7, 2016Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
16V642000September 6, 2016Electrical System › Software

Systems involved: Air Bags (3) · Fuel System, Gasoline (2) · Electrical System (1) · Engine And Engine Cooling (1) · Exterior Lighting (1)

Recall records

NHTSA 24V110000Manufacturer no. VW: 20UF/AUDI:20YF

Fuel System, Gasoline

Report received by NHTSA
February 14, 2024
Owner notification
July 25, 2024
Recall initiated by
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected
261,257 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
A3

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 24V110000, filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 22V543000Manufacturer no. 69DY, 61C1

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module

Report received by NHTSA
July 27, 2022
Owner notification
December 16, 2022
Recall initiated by
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected
1,216 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
A3, A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON, S3

Defect summary

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.

Safety 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.

Remedy

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 22V543000, filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 21V198000Manufacturer no. 69BY

Air Bags › On-Off Switch Assembly

Report received by NHTSA
March 22, 2021
Owner notification
December 23, 2021
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
153,152 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
A3, A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON, S3

Components: Air Bags › On-Off Switch Assembly; Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

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

Remedy

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 21V198000, filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 19V474000Manufacturer no. 69Z4

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification

Report received by NHTSA
June 19, 2019
Owner notification
September 12, 2019
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
138,896 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 Audi A3 / S3 / RS 3
June 5, 2014 – August 22, 2018
Model names in the NHTSA record
A3 CABRIOLET, A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON, S3

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 19V474000, filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 16V647000Manufacturer no. 20Y6/20Y5

Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control

Report received by NHTSA
September 7, 2016
Owner notification
October 31, 2016
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
110,042 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
A3 CABRIOLET

Components: Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control; Fuel System, Gasoline

Defect summary

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.

Safety 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.

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 16V647000, filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 16V642000Manufacturer no. 97CB

Electrical System › Software

Report received by NHTSA
September 6, 2016
Owner notification
November 1, 2016
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
79,895 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 Audi A3 / S3 / RS 3
May 15, 2015 – June 23, 2016
Model names in the NHTSA record
A3 CABRIOLET

Components: Electrical System › Software; Exterior Lighting

Defect summary

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."

Safety risk

If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 16V642000, filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

Records reproduce NHTSA's published text for each campaign. Last record date for this page: February 15, 2024.