NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may explode or deploy incorrectly during deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module at no cost to you.
This page covers 4 recalls, 14 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 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
For the 2016 Audi S3, the dominant complaint pattern centers on the airbag system, which accounts for the majority of reports filed. Owners most commonly describe the passenger airbag deactivating unexpectedly, the dashboard indicator shows the airbag as off even when the seat is occupied by an adult. Several owners report the passenger seat sensor as the apparent source, with the system failing to recognize occupancy correctly and leaving the passenger airbag inoperable. Multiple owners describe returning to dealers repeatedly for the same issue without a lasting fix. Seat complaints make up the second most-reported category, and at least some of these appear connected to the same passenger seat sensor problem. Engine complaints appear in a single report and don't reflect a clear pattern across multiple owners.
14
Total Complaints
By System
The 2016 Audi S3 has 4 recalls, the most serious involving the front passenger airbag inflator, which can explode during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
The remaining three recalls all involve the passenger seat occupancy detection system. This sensor is responsible for determining whether someone is seated in the front passenger seat and enabling the airbag accordingly. A malfunction can cause the system to incorrectly conclude the seat is empty and switch off the passenger airbag even when someone is sitting there. In that situation, the airbag would not deploy in a crash, raising the risk of injury to that passenger. In some cases, an error message and warning chime on the instrument panel may signal the problem, though the system can fail without the driver noticing.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may explode or deploy incorrectly during deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module at no cost to you.
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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
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.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger occupant detection system may fail to recognize when someone is sitting in the front passenger seat, causing the airbag to turn off incorrectly. You'll see an error message and warning chime on the dashboard.
What the fix does
Audi will mail you instructions. Contact an Audi dealer for repair assistance once the fix becomes available.
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.
