This page covers 3 recalls, 52 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Audi S3.
26 mpg combined
9 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant pattern across 2015 Audi S3 complaints centers on the airbag system, specifically the passenger occupant detection sensor. Owners frequently report that the passenger airbag deactivation warning illuminates both with and without a front-seat passenger present, suggesting the sensor isn't reliably reading occupancy. The fuel system is the next most-reported area, where owners describe difficulty refueling, gas pump nozzles click off early, fuel backs up and spills at the filler port, and a hissing noise sometimes accompanies the problem. Several reports point to a faulty jet pump seal as the underlying issue, with some owners also noting a fuel odor near the exhaust. Powertrain complaints appear at lower volume and don't form a single clear pattern. The refueling difficulty and passenger airbag warning light are the two issues that show up consistently across multiple reports.
52
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Audi S3 has 3 recalls, all centered on the same serious issue: the passenger seat's occupant detection system can incorrectly shut off the front passenger airbag even when someone is sitting there.
The sensor system that monitors whether the front passenger seat is occupied can malfunction in a few related ways. In some cases, a loose or faulty wiring connection causes the system to misread the seat as empty and disable the airbag. In others, an electrical contact problem triggers a false fault reading and leads the system to deactivate the airbag as a precaution. Either way, the result is the same: a passenger sitting in the seat may have no airbag protection in a crash. When this happens, the instrument panel typically displays an error message and sounds a warning chime, which can alert the driver that something is wrong, though the airbag remains off until the underlying problem is addressed.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag detection system may malfunction and turn off the passenger air bag even when someone is sitting in that seat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the detection sensor mat and reprogram the detection control module at no cost.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A loose wiring connection in the passenger airbag occupant detection system may cause the passenger-front airbag to deactivate even when someone is sitting in that seat. The instrument panel will show an error message, sound a warning chime, and display 'passenger airbag off'.
What the fix does
A dealer will install a new connector for the passenger occupant detection system and re-route the wiring under the seat.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty electrical connection in the passenger air bag detection system may cause it to incorrectly sense a problem and turn off the passenger air bag.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the connector and reroute the cable to restore proper air bag operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
