Model year
2016 Audi S3
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 14 complaints for the 2016 Audi S3 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (11), SEATS (4), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated the 4 DR AWD 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 26 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,150, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2015 53 complaints
- 2016 14 complaints
- 2017 9 complaints
- 2018 5 complaints
- 2019 2 complaints
- 2020 1 complaints
- 2022 2 complaints
- 2023 0 complaints
- 2024 2 complaints
- 2025 0 complaints
- 2026 0 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
22V543000 · Jul 27, 2022
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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…
21V198000 · Mar 22, 2021
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER; 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…
19V474000 · Jun 19, 2019
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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…
Complaints
14 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 0, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| RQ23007 | Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647) · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; FUEL… | Dec 12, 2023 | Jul 1, 2024 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR AWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.109 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S3 · 2L · Automatic (AM-S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 23 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $3,150 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2016 Audi S3 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.