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Audi S3 Problems, Recalls and Owner Complaints by Model Year
Across 6 model years, NHTSA lists 10 recalls and 84 owner complaints for the Audi S3. Newest model year first. Data as of October 25, 2026.
Audi S3 by model year
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi S3 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2019 Audi S3 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2018 Audi S3 | 1 | 5 | |
| 2017 Audi S3 | 2 | 9 | |
| 2016 Audi S3 | 3 | 14 | |
| 2015 Audi S3 | 2 | 53 |
Model years with no recall and fewer than three complaints are not listed. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. All Audi models.
Audi S3: questions owners ask
Which Audi S3 year has the most problems?
By owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the Audi S3 model years with the most are the 2015 (53), 2016 (14) and 2017 (9). Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are naturally lower; compare years of a similar age.
Which Audi S3 years have the fewest complaints?
Leaving out the newest model years (too new to compare), the fewest owner complaints were filed for the 2020 (1), 2019 (2) and 2018 (5), out of 6 model years from 2015 to 2020. A low count can also mean that year sold fewer cars.
How many recalls does the Audi S3 have?
NHTSA lists recalls for 6 Audi S3 model years, 10 in total when counted per model year (one recall often covers several years). The years with the most are the 2016 (3), 2015 (2) and 2017 (2). Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Which Audi S3 years have the most airbag complaints?
20 owner complaints across 2 Audi S3 model years describe airbag warning lights or airbag faults. The most were filed for the 2015 (17) and 2017 (3) model years. Each model-year report has the owner quotes and any related recall.
How often does the Audi S3 fail its MOT?
In 2023 UK MOT tests, the Audi S3's first-time failure rate ranged from 5.7% for cars first registered in 2021 to 26.6% for 2011, across 8 registration years with at least 100 tests. Older cars fail more often. The most common failure areas were tyres, lights and electrics, suspension. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.