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2015 Audi S3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

20 reports with mileage · 33 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

5 reports
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20,000 miles · Dec 19, 2020
Air BagsSeat Belts

I GOT A PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF PROBLEM ON THE SECOND YEAR, AND KEEP GOING BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE PROBLEM UNTIL I GOT A RECALL NOTICE. AFTER HAVING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR REPAIRED RECALL, THE CAR STILL COMES UP THE SAME PROBLEM PLUS THE PASSENGER SEATBELT OFF LIGHT UP. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP NOW TELL ME THAT THE PODS SEN…

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I GOT A PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF PROBLEM ON THE SECOND YEAR, AND KEEP GOING BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE PROBLEM UNTIL I GOT A RECALL NOTICE. AFTER HAVING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR REPAIRED RECALL, THE CAR STILL COMES UP THE SAME PROBLEM PLUS THE PASSENGER SEATBELT OFF LIGHT UP. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP NOW TELL ME THAT THE PODS SENSOR IS FAULTY AND LET ME PAY FOR ITS SAFETY PROBLEMS. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAVE IT DONE WITH MY CAR AFTER RECALL, AND I FEEL REALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH AUDI RIGHT NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11384201

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

AFTER HAVING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR REPAIRED PER RECALL CAMPAIGN 19V474000, I STARTED GETTING PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNINGS AGAIN. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP NOW SAYS THE PODS SENSOR IN THE SEAT ITSELF IS FAULTY, AND REQUIRES A >$1,700 REPAIR. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF TIMES THIS EXACTLY PROBLEM - HAVING THE PODS SENSOR FAIL AFTER HAVING TH…

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AFTER HAVING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR REPAIRED PER RECALL CAMPAIGN 19V474000, I STARTED GETTING PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNINGS AGAIN. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP NOW SAYS THE PODS SENSOR IN THE SEAT ITSELF IS FAULTY, AND REQUIRES A >$1,700 REPAIR. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF TIMES THIS EXACTLY PROBLEM - HAVING THE PODS SENSOR FAIL AFTER HAVING THE RECALL ADDRESSED - HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA AND ON AUDI FORUMS, IT SEEMS PRETTY CLEAR THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE LIKELY EITHER ASSOCIATED WITH OR TRIGGERED BY THE RECALL ITSELF. IT LOOKS LIKE AUDI IS TRYING TO GET AWAY WITH A "CHEAP" FIX VIA THE RECALL, WHEN THERE IS A BROADER MORE EXPENSIVE ISSUE GOING ON.

NHTSA ODI #11372739

45,000 miles · Oct 29, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

AUDI RECALL 69Z4 MESSED UP MY PASSENGER AIRBAG AND SEATBELT WARNING SIGN. HAD NO ISSUE UNTIL AFTER THE RECALL, SO I CALLED AUDI IMMEDIATELY AFTER AND THEY CLAIMED I HAD TO REPLACE SOME SENSOR THAT HAD 'NOTHING' TO DO WITH THE SENSOR THEY 'FIXED' FROM THE RECALL. WHEN THE CAR STARTS THE PASSENGER SEATBELT WARNING SIGN KEEPS BLINK…

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AUDI RECALL 69Z4 MESSED UP MY PASSENGER AIRBAG AND SEATBELT WARNING SIGN. HAD NO ISSUE UNTIL AFTER THE RECALL, SO I CALLED AUDI IMMEDIATELY AFTER AND THEY CLAIMED I HAD TO REPLACE SOME SENSOR THAT HAD 'NOTHING' TO DO WITH THE SENSOR THEY 'FIXED' FROM THE RECALL. WHEN THE CAR STARTS THE PASSENGER SEATBELT WARNING SIGN KEEPS BLINKING WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER. WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER AND THE CAR STARTS THERE IS NO SEATBELT WARNING SIGN AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF. THESE ISSUES NEVER EXISTED UNTIL AFTER THE RECALL AND AUDI IS CHARGING $1200 TO REPLACE THE SENSOR THAT SHOULD NOT BE A WEAR-AND-TEAR PRODUCT.

NHTSA ODI #11366953

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2020
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats

THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEATBELT SENSOR GOING OFF IF THERE WAS NO PASSENGER ON SEAT AND PASSENGER AIRBAG BEING OFF DESPITE A PASSENGER SITTING ON THE SEAT. (CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V474000) I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FAULTY WIRE/CONNECTOR AND EXCHANGED IT FOR A MORE STURDY CONNECTOR. THI…

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THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEATBELT SENSOR GOING OFF IF THERE WAS NO PASSENGER ON SEAT AND PASSENGER AIRBAG BEING OFF DESPITE A PASSENGER SITTING ON THE SEAT. (CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V474000) I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FAULTY WIRE/CONNECTOR AND EXCHANGED IT FOR A MORE STURDY CONNECTOR. THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MONTHS AFTER TAKING IT IN AND THEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN RANDOMLY GOING TO WORK, AND SINCE THEN HAS NOT GONE AWAY! THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND THE SEATBELT ALARM GOES OFF EVEN IF THERE IS NO PASSENGER, IF THERE IS A PASSENGER, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL OFF. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT'S NOT THE WIRE/CONNECTOR AND THEY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SENSOR SYSTEM ON THE SEAT WHICH THE WARRANTY IS NOT GOING TO COVER SINCE THEY DON'T COVER SAFETY THINGS WHICH NOW THEY WILL CHARGE AROUND 1000 DOLLARS. I WENT AHEAD WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THIS IS A LIABILITY ISSUE, AND I CANNOT HAVE PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SAYING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF EVEN IF A PERSON IS SITTING THERE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AS THE FAULTY WIRE/CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX AND THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SENSOR SYSTEM IN THE SEAT TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED! THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11302584

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR SRS AIRBAG LIGHT WARNING COMES UP WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A SEATED PASSENGER. PASSENGER IS NOT BEING DETECTED AND AIRBAG STAYS OFF. HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. VEHICLE IS ALWAYS GIVING WARNING SOUNDS THAT SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED. ISSUE TESTED BY DEALER. SEEMS TO BE COMMON KNOWN I…

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PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR SRS AIRBAG LIGHT WARNING COMES UP WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A SEATED PASSENGER. PASSENGER IS NOT BEING DETECTED AND AIRBAG STAYS OFF. HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. VEHICLE IS ALWAYS GIVING WARNING SOUNDS THAT SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED. ISSUE TESTED BY DEALER. SEEMS TO BE COMMON KNOWN ISSUE WITH RECENT AUDI'S. OTHERS TO HAVE REPORTED SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11176262

Official recalls

2

21V198000 · Air BAGS:ON-OFF Switch Assembly; Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

Mar 22, 2021

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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.

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.

Air BAGS:ON-OFF Switch Assembly

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.

19V474000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Jun 19, 2019

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

RQ23007 · Fuel Leak Due To Suction Jet Pump Failure Within Fuel Tank (remedy Effectiveness Of Recall 16V647)

Opened Dec 12, 2023 · Closed Jul 1, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

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 emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister

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 emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

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 emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Fuel System, Gasoline

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 emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V-647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V-110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V-110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V-647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.