What Audi S3 owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Audi S3 safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 163 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 445 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 616 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 707 |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 759 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 132 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 632 |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 650 |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 647 |
| 2017 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 611 |
| 2016 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 624 |
| 2015 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 681 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Audi S3 complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
A non-serviceable, faulty rollover valve inside the gas tank is causing the vehicle to leak fuel (also fails to contain fuel in the event of a rollover - exacerbating fire hazards in the event of an accident). The solution is to tear apart the entire bottom of the car to replace the entire gas tank. A $6,000 repair according to the Audi dealership - two local shops quoted $4,000. There are no warning messages. Discovered when I exited the vehicle to strong smell of gasoline as maybe a gallon had spilled outside the vehicle. Dealership was aware of the issue.
I am reporting a Safety Remedy Denial by Audi of America (Case #[XXX]) regarding a failed suction jet pump and charcoal canister in my 2015 Audi S3. This failure resulted in a fuel leak and strong fuel odor near the exhaust, creating an immediate fire hazard. â Although Audi issued a 15-year/150,000-mile warranty extension ([XXX]) for the 8V chassis A3 population, they are denying coverage for my S3 variant. This is in direct contradiction to Audi's own TSB 2068171/5, which explicitly states the A3 model group 'includes S and RS versions.' â The dealership (Audi Rancho Mirage, RO# [XXX]) confirmed the failure of the suction jet pump (Version 1.0/1.1) but refused the safety repair at no c…
Gas pump shuts off and stops pumping fuel into my car with a loud hissing noise before it shuts down the pump. I can not properly fill my vehicle with gas. This is not a single incident it is an ongoing problem.
Unable to refuel car. Gas pump keeps clicking off and fuel backs up spilling out of fuel port. Mechanic tested fuel system and reported fuel tank has faulty jet pump seal. Mechanic says a recall was effected for certain audi models with this issue due emissions dangers and fire risk.
2022 Audi S3 (8Y), ~35,000 miles. Vehicle developed âGear selector malfunction. You may continue driving.â Dealer stated failure would eventually leave vehicle stranded. Gear selector replaced under partial goodwill. Immediately afterward, vehicle began experiencing communication faults U123100 and U123000 gateway module. Car reported fault 1/20 under dealership possession. Car was picked up by me 1/21 Since repair, GPS location is severely inaccurate (initially ~300 ft offset, escalating to over 50 miles, including placing vehicle in Atlantic Ocean). Vehicle displays incorrect speed limits while driving (35 MPH shown on 70 MPH highway). Constant warning chimes: âTraffic sign recogn…
Tail lights stopped working, the wire harness in the vehicle is known to get sheared due to a pinch point at the trunk hinge, this pinch point over a period of time will result in damage to the wire harness that controls the rear taillights as well as the opening and closing functions of the trunk. This is a known issue, with a TSB having been release, replacement is only offered if the damage is noticed during warranty period. This damage is hidden behind the trunk lining and can go unseen until the damage is done.
Gear Shift Micro Switch This is a documented issue recalled for VW and Audi vehicles between 2015-2019. VW recalled all and still is fixing the issue in cars from those years, yet AUDI decided to just offer an extended warranty to those cars for that specific issue. Who is responsible VW or AUDI. If Audi is owned by VW and the issue is in both types of cars made by them, why aren't AUDI vehicles included to the recall and repair.
Having the same issue as the NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report, 24V-110. And, similar to NHTSA 16V647 associated with the Audi Safety Recall 20Y5 - Suction Pump. Apparently there is no recall for my S3, only the A3. Dealer has determined the suction pump and gas tank are faulty. (Inherit defect by manufacture?). Audi is not acknowledging any upcoming recall but may try to help through their assistance program.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
This bulletin provides general information about the current tpp issues for Audi connect.
This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
This bulletin provides informaitn when there is a warning messsage; "Instrument cluster: fault. Limited warning messages. Please contact workshop"; DTC B200096.
This bulletin provides informaiotn when there are rattling/grinding noises reported from the front end.
A particularly noticeable factor is the vibration of the air column in a tire. When a tire starts to vibrate because of the road contact, this can lead to cavity resonances inside the tire that are transmitted via the wheel rim and the running gear to the vehicle interior. Because of the vehicle design and due to the specific properties of different wheel and tire combinations, a whining noise can occur at high speeds. This is a result of toroidal resonance whose frequency is noticeable between 180 - 250 Hz irrespective of the vehicle speed.
This bulletin provides information when there are cracks on the friction ring surface on ceramic brake discs.
This bulletin provides information when there is a wheel/tire imbalance.
This bulletin provides service information when DTC U0101000 is logged, lost communication with the TCM in diagnostic address 23.
This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
This bulletin provides information when there is corrosion on the friction survace of steel brake discs.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
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
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2015–2026, owners most often name: air bags, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system. 88 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
