Car Record Book

2015 Audi S3 recalls & problems

The 2015 Audi S3 has 2 safety recalls and 53 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (29 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints53filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

NHTSA recall 21V198000 · Mar 22, 2021 · 153,152 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Components: Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger; Air bags › On-off switch assembly

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification

NHTSA recall 19V474000 · Jun 19, 2019 · 138,896 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2015 Audi S3 4 DR AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.9%

Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: Optional

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

S3

26mpg combined
City / highway23 / 31 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,150/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Air bags
2910252,000 mi
Electrical system
900052,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
7000—
Power train
600049,250 mi
Seat belts
5000—
Seats
4000—
Engine
400052,000 mi
Wheels
2000—
Structure
Body
1000—
Electronic stability control (esc)
1000—
Service brakes
1000—
Tires
Sidewall
1000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations