Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 12 | −63% | 5 | Airbag | Good |
| 2017 | 25 | −57% | 3 | Airbag | Good |
| 2016 | 36 | −34% | 3 | Airbag | Average |
| 2015 | 87 | 2.7× | 5 | Airbag | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median A3 Cabriolet year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Audi A3 Cabriolet problems
Latest Audi A3 Cabriolet recalls
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
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.
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.
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A3 sedan and RS3 vehicles. The latching pins for the center rear seat head restraint may be missing.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, replacing any that are missing pins, free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The fuel hose quick connector may detach from the fuel supply line in the engine bay, resulting in a fuel leak.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the fuel line connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Audi A3 Cabriolet should you avoid?
2015 — this year has the most complaints relative to other A3 Cabriolet years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2015.
What is the best year for the Audi A3 Cabriolet?
2018 has the fewest complaints compared with other A3 Cabriolet years at the same age, followed by 2017 and 2016. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Audi A3 Cabriolet problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (73), fuel & propulsion system (27) and engine & cooling (21). Airbag complaints peak in the 2015 model year.
How many recalls has the Audi A3 Cabriolet had?
11 recalls across 2015–2018. The model year with the most is 2015. See all Audi A3 Cabriolet recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.