Audi S3 problems by model year
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
NHTSA has 71 owner complaints and 12 recalls on file for the Audi S3 (2015–2024). The 2015 S3 has the most serious complaints, most often about airbags.
- Complaints
- 71
- Recalls
- 12
- Model years
- 10
- Worst year
- 2015
Complaints by model year
Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.
Worst Audi S3 years to buy
Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).
- 2015 Audi S3 — 43 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Airbags
Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2023 (0 complaints).
Every Audi S3 model year
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Recalls | Top problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 S3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes |
| 2023 S3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2022 S3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | Acceleration & Cruise Control |
| 2021 S3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2020 S3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2019 S3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Airbags |
| 2018 S3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2017 S3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Airbags |
| 2016 S3 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Airbags |
| 2015 S3 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | Airbags |
Most common Audi S3 problem areas (all years)
- Airbags42 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts10 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion9 complaints
- Electrical System9 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain6 complaints
- Engine4 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech3 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers3 complaints
- Brakes2 complaints
- Wheels & Tires2 complaints
Complaint trend
Audi S3 recalls
Risk: Missing weight information may result in unintentional overloading of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: An incorrectly folded air bag can tear, prohibiting it from deploying properly during a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.
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.
Risk: Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
Risk: An incorrectly marked child restraint anchorage may cause confusion during child seat installation, resulting in a child seat being improperly secured and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Risk: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Risk: If the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
Other Audi models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology