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2016 Audi A3 Sportback E-TRONProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 2016 Audi A3 Sportback E-TRON, most often about the tires. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-543 the manufacturer reports only 62% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 62%Owner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage3kTires, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 27, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2016 Audi A3 Sportback E-TRON has problems

2 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Tires10
Visibility/wiper10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2016 Audi A3 Sportback E-TRON recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

62%repaired · 2025 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 22V-543 · Jul 27, 2022 · 1,216 vehicles · 759 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

67%repaired · 2024 Q2

Air bags: on-off switch assembly

Recall 21V-198 · Mar 22, 2021 · 153,152 vehicles · 102,216 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

82%repaired · 2020 Q4

Sensor: occupant classification

Recall 19V-474 · Jun 19, 2019 · 138,896 vehicles · 114,026 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.

Best & worst years

2016 vs. every other A3 Sportback E-TRON year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the A3 Sportback E-TRON median. How we score

'16'17'18
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2016 Audi A3 Sportback E-TRON safety ratings

2016 A3 Sportback e-tron FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Optional
  • Lane departure warning: Optional
In owners' words

What A3 Sportback E-TRON owners report

Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONTINENTAL PROCONTACT 225/45R17 91H DOT AF7RWBRD4615 RIGHT FRONT TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT AFTER GOING OVER SMALL DRIVEWAY CURB AT VERY LOW SPEED VEHICLE 2016 AUDI A3 ETRON
Complaint 10954252 · Feb 13, 2017 · 2,500 miles

Own a 2016 A3 Sportback E-TRON?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.