This page covers 3 recalls, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Audi S3.
24 mpg combined
9.8 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 2017 Audi S3 has 3 recalls, all centered on the front passenger airbag system, where the airbag control module can misread how an occupant is seated and either deploy with too much force or fail to deploy at all in a crash.
The passenger seat sensor system has two related failure modes. In one scenario, the sensor can shut off the front passenger airbag entirely even when someone is sitting in the seat, leaving that occupant without any airbag protection if a collision occurs. In the other, the control unit can misidentify a passenger who is sitting toward the edge of the seat or reclined and fire the airbag with more force than the situation calls for, which raises the risk of injury from the airbag itself rather than the crash. Both problems trace back to how the system classifies seat occupancy and posture, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve all the affected configurations.
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).
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The airbag control module may fail to correctly detect when a front passenger is out of position. During a crash, the front passenger airbag could deploy with excessive force, risking injury.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the airbag control module software to improve occupant position detection.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag control software may deploy the air bag incorrectly during a lower-speed crash if the passenger is sitting on the seat edge or lying back with the seat reclined.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control module software at no cost to correct the deployment logic.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
