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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2015–2024

Audi S3 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns and 88 owner complaints for the Audi S3, covering model years 2015 to 2024. The 2015 model year drew the most complaints (53), and Air Bags is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Audi S3 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 12 recall campaigns on file
  • 88 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 10 model years with data (2015–2024)
  • most complaints: 2015 (53 for that model year)
  • top component: Air Bags (49 complaints)
  • latest recall 22V901000 (reported Dec 7, 2022)
  • 1 complaint reporting a crash (1.1%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 1 complaint reporting an injury (1.1%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Audi S3 complaints by model year

8 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2015 model year has the most complaints: 53 of 88, or 60.2%. Next come 2016 (14) and 2017 (9). The fewest are for 2020, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Audi S3 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2015–2024Column chart of 88 complaints across 10 model years. The highest is 2015 with 53. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2015: 53 complaints5320152016: 14 complaints1420162017: 9 complaints920172018: 5 complaints520182019: 2 complaints220192020: 1 complaint120202021: 0 complaints20212022: 2 complaints220222023: 0 complaints20232024: 2 complaints22024
Audi S3 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Audi S3 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2015531010
2016140000
201790000
201850000
201920000
202010000
202220000
202420000
All model years881010

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Audi S3 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Air Bags is the component named most often, in 49 complaints (55.7% of all 88), followed by Electrical System (11) and Fuel/Propulsion System (10).

Components named most often in Audi S3 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Audi S3 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Air Bags4955.7%
Electrical System1112.5%
Fuel/Propulsion System1011.4%
Power Train1011.4%
Seats89.1%
Seat Belts78.0%
Unknown or Other66.8%
Engine55.7%
Visibility/Wiper55.7%
Back Over Prevention22.3%
Service Brakes22.3%
Structure22.3%
Wheels22.3%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)11.1%
Forward Collision Avoidance11.1%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Audi S3 recalls

12 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name S3, newest first. The 12 campaigns cover model years 2015 to 2023. The 2022 model year appears in the most campaigns (7).

  • 12 recall campaigns
Audi S3 recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2015: 2 campaigns2016: 3 campaigns2017: 2 campaigns2018: 1 campaign2019: 1 campaign
2020: 1 campaign2021: 1 campaign2022: 7 campaigns2023: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 22V901000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Labels

    Model year 2023

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S3, RS3, and A3 vehicles. The Safety Certification label on the B-pillar is missing weight capacity information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

    Consequence:
    Missing weight information may result in unintentional overloading of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Audi dealers will install an overlay label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 50ZZ.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 22V823000

    Reported

    Back Over Prevention › Display Function

    Model year 2022

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Golf R A8, Audi S3, RS3 Sedan, Q4 E-Tron SUV, A3 Sedan, and 2022-2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI, and ID4 vehicles. The rearview camera image may be blank or unresponsive when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear or when the park function is manually activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Consequence:
    An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners February 14, 2023. Volkswagen owners will receive an owner notification letter once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Volkswagen) 91EK and (Audi) 91EL.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 22V806000

    Reported

    Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Video (TOUCH)Screen/Monitor/Unit; Back Over Prevention › Display Function

    Model year 2022

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Consequence:
    An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 22V652000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal

    Model year 2022

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Audi S3, A3, and RS3 vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been folded incorrectly.

    Consequence:
    An incorrectly folded air bag can tear, prohibiting it from deploying properly during a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69DZ.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  5. NHTSA campaign 22V543000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module

    Model year 2016

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.

    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  6. NHTSA campaign 22V515000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Pretensioner

    Model year 2022

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Audi S3 and A3 sedans. The retention force of the seat belt tensioner on the driver and front passenger seats may be inadequate to properly restrain the occupants during a crash.

    Consequence:
    Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 68i2.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  7. NHTSA campaign 22V224000

    Reported

    Child Seat › Vehicle Latch Anchor

    Model year 2022

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 A3 Sedan and S3 Sedan vehicles. The child seat anchorage fitting sleeves are incorrectly marked with a different symbol than the one described in the owner's manual. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace all four fitting sleeves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May24, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72M7.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  8. NHTSA campaign 21V825000

    Reported

    Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera

    Model year 2022

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Consequence:
    A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  9. NHTSA campaign 21V606000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor; Seat Belts

    Model years 2021–2022

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Consequence:
    An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  10. NHTSA campaign 21V198000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger; Air Bags › On-Off Switch Assembly

    Model years 2015–2020

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Show 2 more recalls

  1. NHTSA campaign 19V474000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification

    Model years 2015–2016

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 17V196000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification

    Model year 2017

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Consequence:
    If the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q3.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Audi S3 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Audi S3 have?

NHTSA lists 12 vehicle recall campaigns for the Audi S3, covering model years 2015 to 2024. The most recent, 22V901000, was reported on December 7, 2022 and is filed under “Equipment”. The 2022 model year is covered by the most campaigns (7).

Which Audi S3 model year has the most complaints?

The 2015 model year, with 53 of the 88 complaints in NHTSA’s file (60.2%). The next are 2016 (14) and 2017 (9). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Audi S3 complaint?

Air Bags is the component named most often: 49 complaints, or 55.7% of all 88. Electrical System (11) and Fuel/Propulsion System (10) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Audi S3?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Audi dealer.

How many Audi S3 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 88 complaints, 1 report a crash, 0 a fire, 1 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Audi models

8 models · most complaints first

The Audi models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Audi VIN decoder with every Audi model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Audi A4 1995–2024 · 27 recalls · 2,893 complaints
  • Audi A6 1995–2026 · 54 recalls · 1,656 complaints
  • Audi Q5 2008–2026 · 33 recalls · 1,337 complaints
  • Audi Q7 2007–2026 · 32 recalls · 1,042 complaints
  • Audi A3 2001–2025 · 20 recalls · 728 complaints
  • Audi S4 1995–2022 · 15 recalls · 560 complaints
  • Audi A5 2008–2026 · 19 recalls · 325 complaints
  • Audi TT 2000–2023 · 12 recalls · 319 complaints

All Audi models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.