Audi S3 Reliability
122 NHTSA complaints (2015–2024). Complaint rate: 52.3 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2015–2016 Audi S3. The 2022 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: AIR BAGS.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
Too New
Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Audi S3 Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 48 | 2.1% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 11 | 0.0% |
| POWER TRAIN | 10 | 0.0% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 9 | 0.0% |
| SEATS | 8 | 0.0% |
| SEAT BELTS | 7 | 0.0% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE | 5 | 0.0% |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 5 | 0.0% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015AVOID | — | 71 | 1 | — | View 2015View→ |
| 2016AVOID | — | 22 | 0 | — | View 2016View→ |
| 2017 | — | 10 | 0 | — | View 2017View→ |
| 2018 | — | 7 | 0 | — | View 2018View→ |
| 2019GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | — | View 2019View→ |
| 2022GOOD | — | 5 | 0 | — | View 2022View→ |
| 2024TOO NEW | — | 4 | 0 | — | View 2024View→ |
See also: Audi S3accident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Audi S3?
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