2015 Audi S3 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Audi S3, most often about airbags. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 43
Recalls: 2
Crashes: 1
Fires: 0
Injuries: 2
Median mileage: 59,225 mi

Key facts

Airbags is the most-reported problem area, named in 24 of 43 complaints (56%).
Electrical System (7) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (7) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 59,225 mi.
Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries.
The 2015 Audi S3 has 2 recalls on file.
NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
It has the most serious complaint record of all 8 Audi S3 model years we track.

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Air bags	24
Electrical system	7
Fuel/propulsion system	7
Seat belts	4
Seats	3
Engine	3
Power train	3
Service brakes	1

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2015 Audi S3 complaints that list mileage.

2015 Audi S3 recalls (2)

Recall 21V198000Mar 22, 2021153,152 vehicles
AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY · AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
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.
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.
Recall 19V474000Jun 19, 2019138,896 vehicles
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.
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.

NHTSA defect investigations

RQ23007Opened Dec 12, 2023Closed Jul 1, 2024led to recall 24V110
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emiss…

Recent 2015 Audi S3 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Jul 31, 2026AZFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
A non-serviceable, faulty rollover valve inside the gas tank is causing the vehicle to leak fuel (also fails to contain fuel in the event of a rollover - exacerbating fire hazards in the event of an accident). The solution is to tear apart the entire bottom of the car to replace the entire gas tank. A $6,000 repair according to the Audi dealership - two local shops quoted $4,000. There are no warning messages. Discovered when I exited the vehicle to strong smell of gasoline…
NHTSA complaint #11754006 · source
Filed Mar 26, 2026CAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
I am reporting a Safety Remedy Denial by Audi of America (Case #[XXX]) regarding a failed suction jet pump and charcoal canister in my 2015 Audi S3. This failure resulted in a fuel leak and strong fuel odor near the exhaust, creating an immediate fire hazard. Although Audi issued a 15-year/150,000-mile warranty extension ([XXX]) for the 8V chassis A3 population, they are denying coverage for my S3 variant. This is in direct contradiction to Audi's own TSB 2068171/5, which…
NHTSA complaint #11727270 · source
Filed Mar 22, 2026MOFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
Gas pump shuts off and stops pumping fuel into my car with a loud hissing noise before it shuts down the pump. I can not properly fill my vehicle with gas. This is not a single incident it is an ongoing problem.
NHTSA complaint #11726120 · source
Filed Feb 19, 2026CAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
Unable to refuel car. Gas pump keeps clicking off and fuel backs up spilling out of fuel port. Mechanic tested fuel system and reported fuel tank has faulty jet pump seal. Mechanic says a recall was effected for certain audi models with this issue due emissions dangers and fire risk.
NHTSA complaint #11719022 · source
Filed Nov 20, 2024CAElectrical System
Tail lights stopped working, the wire harness in the vehicle is known to get sheared due to a pinch point at the trunk hinge, this pinch point over a period of time will result in damage to the wire harness that controls the rear taillights as well as the opening and closing functions of the trunk. This is a known issue, with a TSB having been release, replacement is only offered if the damage is noticed during warranty period. This damage is hidden behind the trunk lining…
NHTSA complaint #11626458 · source
Filed Nov 20, 2024CAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
Gear Shift Micro Switch This is a documented issue recalled for VW and Audi vehicles between 2015-2019. VW recalled all and still is fixing the issue in cars from those years, yet AUDI decided to just offer an extended warranty to those cars for that specific issue. Who is responsible VW or AUDI. If Audi is owned by VW and the issue is in both types of cars made by them, why aren't AUDI vehicles included to the recall and repair.
NHTSA complaint #11626453 · source
Filed Jul 30, 2024NJAirbags
When driving, without AND more importantly, WITH, a passenger in the front passenger seat, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) light goes on and indicates that the passenger air bag has been deactivated. I looked on line and saw that Audi has already recalled certain 2015-2019 Audi A3 Sedans but apparently my car is not part of the initial recall. I think the recall is BIGGER than Audi estimated and that my car should also be part of the recall. I plan to take to…
NHTSA complaint #11605361 · source
Filed Dec 22, 2023RIFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
While pumping gas, a strong odor is always present. While pumping gas the pump will stop multiple times before being filled in it's entirety, I can't hold depress gas pump handle I have to slowly fill car with gas or risk spilling fuel.
NHTSA complaint #11561473 · source

Compare the 2015 Audi S3 with another vehicle →

Other 2015 Audi models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology