Model year

2016 Audi S3

Sedan, gasoline, AWD/All-Wheel Drive, built in Hungary. Owner complaints on file from Dec 5, 2019 to Mar 29, 2026.

Recall campaigns covering this model year3293k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints14Close to the median 2016 sedan
Severity index0.02016 sedans average 7.1
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2016 Audi S3 peaked in 2020, with 7 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

02468201920207202120222023202420252026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

79% of complaints about the 2016 Audi S3 name airbags

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Airbags
11
Seats
4
Back-over prevention
1
Engine and cooling
1
Fuel system
1
Seat belts
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

3 recall campaigns cover the 2016 Audi S3

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2016 Audi S3
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
22V-543Jul 27, 2022During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperlyAirbags1,216Part replacement
21V-198Mar 22, 2021Passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupiedAirbags153,152Part replacement
19V-474Jun 19, 2019Improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger…Airbags138,896Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2016 Audi S3

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

14 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Mar 29, 2026Failure Mar 29, 2026santa fe, NMVisibility/wiper

    Sunroof Exploded while driving

    NHTSA complaint 11727853
  2. Filed Jan 12, 2026Failure Jan 12, 2026Tellico Plains, TNUnknown or other

    N/A

    NHTSA complaint 11710500
  3. Filed Apr 13, 2024Failure Dec 22, 2022Louisville, KYAir bags, Seats, Unknown or other

    Received notice for safety recall to have PODs system repaired or replaced free of charge by Audi. Took my vehicle in for the recall. Audi wanted to charge me to complete this safety recall and refused to complete the recall if I didn't pay. This was bluegrass motorsports in Louisville ky. They also damaged my vehicles door trim and stole money from my glove box(my fault for leaving money inside). Filed a complaint on the dealers website and was never reached out to. This is why safety recall remains open on my vehicle.

    NHTSA complaint 11582791
  4. Filed Feb 5, 2023Failure May 8, 2021Lake Saint Louis, MOAir bags, Warnings, Fuel/propulsion system

    Where do I start? We have taken this car into the Audi dealership four times due to the engine. Overheating and being almost stranded in the middle of nowhere with it because oil was needing to be added to the engine all the time and after charging us hundreds and hundreds of dollars to do to plug in Their service computer system they finally realized that the car third high-pressure fuel pump leaking was leaking fuel into the crank case causing a hard start and fuel trim codes we spent and this is just the warrants $911.67 another time my husband was backing out of our brand, new home and This car did not sense that he was too close and essentially the front right part of his tire where the tire is doc Benton and he ruined the right side of our garage and these are just one of the 20 issues that have been always going to the RV dealership and I really think that it’s time for some reimbursement. My husband won’t go and do anything about it because he used to work at the dealership but I’m sick of it and we’ve been charged hundreds and hundreds of dollars and then they finally just fixed. They finally just found the problem there that’s an issue and it’s a safety issue to because when I was driving down the highway all the sudden the over the engine overheated and that wasn’t on that was on several occasions, we brought it into the Audi dealership. They couldn’t find anything wrong with it Several please call me back or contact my husband who owns a car I’m getting sick of this. I think they also replaced the water pump as well.

    NHTSA complaint 11505674
  5. Filed Aug 31, 2021Failure Aug 31, 2021Miami, FLAir bags

    1. PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS BEEN OFF FOR 2 WEEKS. 2. oN THE iNFORMATION SCREEN THERE HAS BEEN A SYSTEM MALFUNCTION EVER SINCE. 3. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN FOR REPAIR TO DEALERSHIP FOR 3 TIMES AND THE ISSUE KEEPS COMING BACK.

    NHTSA complaint 11431235
  6. Filed Jan 14, 2021Failure Oct 1, 202050,000 milesAlamogordo, NMAir bags, Seat belts, Seats

    CAR HAD NO ISSUES PRIOR TO RECALL 69Z4. AFTER AUDI DEALERSHIP PERFORMED WORK TO SATISFY RECALL 69Z4 (NHTSA 19V474), THE AFFECTED SYSTEM (PODS) NOW DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. THIS RENDERS THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG INOPERABLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT IS OCCUPIED. AUDI WILL NOT COVER THE ADDITIONAL REPAIR TO THE SYSTEM THAT WAS PERFECTLY FUNCTIONAL UNTIL THEIR RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE AFFECTING SIMILAR A3/S3 MODEL YEARS.

    NHTSA complaint 11388170
  7. Filed Dec 19, 2020Failure Nov 11, 202035,000 milesLowell, MAAir bags

    POD WHICH CONTROLS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG

    NHTSA complaint 11384161
  8. Filed Dec 2, 2020Failure Nov 30, 201936,000 milesOakland Park, FLAir bags

    AIRBAG ISSUE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. A RECALL WAS DONE IN DECEMBER 2019 AND THE ISSUE PERSISTED AND NOW THE DEALER WANTS MORE THAN $1,300 TO FIX THE ISSUE.

    NHTSA complaint 11377483
  9. Filed Oct 28, 2020Failure Oct 28, 202055,000 milesJacksonville, FLAir bags

    AFTER BRINGING IN MY VEHICLE FOR SERVICE, THE DEALER INFORMED ME OF A NECESSARY RECALL REPAIR THAT WOULD PREVENT POTENTIAL PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILURE. I AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR, ALTHOUGH I HAD NOT ENCOUNTERED ANY ISSUES PRIOR. HOWEVER ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THE REPAIR, I BEGAN TO RECEIVE A FLASHING WARNING ON THE DASH WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE CAR WHILE STATIONARY WHICH READ "SAFETY SYSTEM: SYSTEM FAULT! SEE OWNER'S MANUAL", "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" AND "AUDI PRE SENSE: SYSTEM FAULT!". I NOW RECEIVE THE WARNING EVERY TIME I START THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE ISSUE. THEY SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR AN INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPAIR, HOWEVER UPON INSPECTION THEY FOUND THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND THUS I WOULD BE CHARGED $1700 TO HAVE THE PODS UNIT REPLACED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER RESEARCHING AND SPEAKING WITH OTHER OWNERS, IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AS MANY OTHERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE ISSUE, AND THE REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH AN INAPPROPRIATE/INEFFECTIVE RECALL REPAIR. AUDI MUST FIX THIS ISSUE.

    NHTSA complaint 11366890
  10. Filed Sep 26, 2020Failure Sep 25, 2020110,000 milesGolden, COAir bags

    PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY YET THE PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED. SEAT WONT DETECT PASSENGER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG WONT DEPLOY BECAUSE OF IT. AUDI SAYS THE WHOLE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IS A WEAR AND TEAR PART, WHICH IT IS NOT! THE NHSTSA MUST HOLD AUDI ACCOUNTABLE FOR A FULL FIX NOT A HALF FIX. DO YOUR JOBS!! LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM ITS DANGEROUS!

    NHTSA complaint 11361222
  11. Filed Aug 11, 2020Failure Jan 1, 201715,000 milesCoppell, TXAir bags, Seats

    DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING AIR BAG IS OFF EVEN WHEN PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. UNDER WARRANTY SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AND FAILED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE $1400 DESPITE SAFETY RECALL AND INADEQUATE EFFORT MADE TO REPAIR VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY. AUDI OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS APPEAR TO BE CROOKS.

    NHTSA complaint 11348678
  12. Filed Jan 9, 2020Failure Jan 9, 202059,500 milesSalt Lake City, UTEngine

    VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECALL FOR THE 2017-2018 AUDI A3, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR. THE CAR STARTS NORMALLY, SHIFTS INTO GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE) ACCELERATES NORMALLY, BEFORE THE ENGINE DIES (RPM GAUGE DROPS TO 0). THE CAR FORCES ME TO PUT IT IN PARK BEFORE STARTING NORMALLY WHEN PUSHING THE START/STOP BUTTON. IT HAS HAPPENED 15+ TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC AND NO ERROR CODES APPEAR. WE HAVE TESTED TO SEE IF IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE GAS TANK IS BELOW HALF (WHICH WOULD INDICATE A FUEL PUMP ISSUE) HOWEVER, IT HAS HAPPENED ON A FULL TANK AS WELL. IT IS NOT BAD GAS-- I HAVE FILLED UP AT A VARIETY OF GAS STATIONS SINCE THIS ISSUE BEGAN. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS IT POTENTIALLY COULD HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC, SINCE IT DIES WHILE IN MOTION AND REQUIRES THE CAR TO BE IN PARK BEFORE IT WILL START BACK UP. I'VE SEEN SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE ABOUT SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND I'M ESPECIALLY CONCERNED BASED ON THE EXACT SAME RECALL FOR THE 2017-2018 A3.

    NHTSA complaint 11298302
  13. Filed Jan 3, 2020Failure Jan 3, 2020Miami, FLAir bags

    FRONT AIRBAG RECALL WAS JUST COMPLETED BUT THE CAR KEEPS TOGGLING THE FRONT AIRBAGS ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING. I ALSO GET A MESSAGE THAT SAYS AUDI PRE-SENSE SYSTEM FAULT. PIC ATTACHED.

    NHTSA complaint 11296859
  14. Filed Dec 5, 2019Failure Nov 30, 201938,000 milesMiami, FLAir bags, Seats

    FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AND ON WHEN WHILE DRIVING AND WITH A PASSENGER SITTING ON THE SEAT. CAR WAS REPAIRED ONCE BEFORE FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT THE ISSUE KEEPS SHOWING AGAIN. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED RECENTLY FOR THIS ISSUE.

    NHTSA complaint 11287183
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

1 NHTSA investigation on file

  • RQ23007 Recall query, Fuel system
    Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
    Opened Dec 12, 2023, closed Jul 1, 2024 · led to a recall
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

624 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.

  • TSB_2079732_2 Aug 11, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when there is a paint issue on alloy wheels.
  • TSB_2076945_2 Aug 20, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information about leather care and seat repair.
  • TSB_2075120_3 Aug 11, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information about the general approach for brake vibration concerns.
  • TSB_2074436_3 Aug 26, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
  • TSB_20741717_15 Aug 11, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information on the GFF test plan required for AC compressor replacements regardless of the concern.
  • TSB_2072304_4 Aug 11, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when there is an ABS/ESC speed sensor implausible signal.
  • TSB_2069904_3 Aug 21, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
  • TSB_2069078_4 Aug 21, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
  • TSB_2068999_4 Aug 21, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
  • TSB_2068629_3 Aug 24, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides informaiotn when there are rattling/grinding noises reported from the front end.
  • TSB_2067132_4 Aug 21, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when there is corrosion on the friction survace of steel brake discs.
  • TSB_2082846_1 Jul 27, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.
  • TSB_2073747_4 Jul 9, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.
  • TSB_2073282_1 Jul 9, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.
  • TSB_2043424_20 Jul 23, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when there are creaking/squeakignnoises from the front end on uneven roads.
  • TSB_2082323_1 Jun 10, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
  • TSB_2074640_3 Jun 26, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000 km.
  • TSB_2059335_7 Jun 23, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.
  • TSB_2052680_6 Jun 4, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This Reporting Obligation requires technicains to contact the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) in cases where the airbag/seatbelt is deployed/not deployed; general accident information; and fire and overheat damage.
  • TSB_2074729_3 Jun 23, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.
  • TSB_2080517_4 May 22, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
  • TSB_2074808_4 May 6, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The high-voltage batteries in electric vehicles are subject to various ageing effects which could lead to the energy content (energy density) being reduced. This reduction in the energy content, which is due to factors. Revised header. Added Model years
  • AOS-26-25 May 26, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: The ODIS Audi Brand update 2.41.1 is setting a ODS5003E error code when …
  • TSB_2080517_3 Apr 30, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
  • TSB_2070568_6 Apr 22, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool
  • TSB_2022032_12 Apr 30, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides diagnostic information for the vehicle locking system.
  • TSB_2081531_1 Mar 27, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This Reporting obligation requests that technicians contact the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) when the diagnostic tester refers to this reportin gobligation or to TPI 2033392.
  • TSB_2081405_1 Mar 20, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides informaiotn about various infortainment system complaints.
  • TSB_2051095_11 Mar 13, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information about where to download the Audi frequency app.
  • TSB_2024323_13 Mar 17, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance gives false warnings.
  • TSB_2024323_12 Mar 2, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance gives false warnings.
  • TSB_2023187_8 Mar 24, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides informaiotn regarding squeaking noises when steering or maneuvering.
  • DC_Audi_CF_ Airbag Mar 2, 2026 · Other
    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning regarding counterfeit replacement airbag inflators that are being installed in used vehicles.
  • TSB_2080517_2 Feb 17, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
  • TSB_2059335_6 Feb 17, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This TSB provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.
  • TSB_2052680_4 Feb 12, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This Reporting Obligation requires technicains to contact the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) in cases where the airbag/seatbelt is deployed/not deployed; general accident information; and fire and overheat damage.
  • TSB_2051095_10 Feb 20, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information on the use of the Audi frequencly analysis app, and where the application can be downloaded.
  • TSB_2021205_10 Feb 20, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information on VIN Plates, Safety Certification labels, and the ordering procedures.
  • TSB_2043424_19 Jan 30, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when there are creaking/squeakignnoises from the front end on uneven roads.
  • TSB_2080681_1 Jan 21, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information regarding contact checks for event memories, intermittent.
  • TSB_2080329_1 Jan 22, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides informaiotn when there are noises from the headliner.
  • TSB_2074846_4 Jan 13, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
  • TSB_2060750_5 Jan 14, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information regarding UV leak additive for finding oil leaks.
  • TSB_2056019_5 Jan 5, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when the anti-theft alarm activates for no reason, or does not activate.
  • TSB_2080517_1 Dec 19, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
  • TSB_2061669_3 Dec 19, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides service infrmation for workshop mode with Audi connect vehicles.
  • TSB_2021205_9 Dec 16, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information on VIN Plates, Safety Certification labels, and the ordering procedures.
  • TSB_2079652_2 Dec 11, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when the Emergency call LED in the roof module is not lit up green.
  • TSB_2074808_3 Dec 11, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides additoinal information to assist in determining the energy content of lithium-ion high-voltage batteries.
  • TSB_2074640_2 Dec 11, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000 km.
  • TSB_2028220_13 Dec 11, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides regarding visual damage for all vehicles.
  • TSB_2080126_1 Dec 1, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when there is a noise from the fuel line.
  • TSB_2061397_2 Dec 3, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information about voice recognition performance, and bluetooth call quality issues on the other end of the line.
  • TSB_2018187_18 Dec 9, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when there are speaker rattles, vibrations, or audio interference.
  • TSB_2069904_2 Oct 22, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
  • TSB_2079732_1 Oct 17, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when tehre is a paint issue on alloy wheels.
  • TSB_2075120_2 Oct 21, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information regarding the general approach for all Audi vehicles regarding brake vibrations.
  • TSB_2074846_3 Oct 17, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This TSB provides information regarding rotational and other steerihng wheel vibrations.
  • TSB_2072304_3 Oct 17, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information when there is an ABS/ESC speed sensor implausible signal.
  • TSB_2069078_3 Oct 21, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.