NHTSA vehicle safety data

2015 Audi S3 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2015 Audi S3 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 53 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2015 Audi S3, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2015 Audi S3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Audi S3, describing incidents dated April 27, 2017 to July 17, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Air Bags 29 complaints
  • Electrical System 9 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 7 complaints
  • Power Train 6 complaints
  • Seat Belts 5 complaints
  • Engine 4 complaints

Of the 53 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 53 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11754006 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11727270 · Filed

    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. ​ Although Audi issued a…

  • ODI #11726120 · Filed

    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.

Read all 53 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2015 Audi S3 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Passenger Air Bag May Deactivate

NHTSA #21V198000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger · NHTSA notice

Reported March 22, 2021 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 153,152 vehicles

Repair completion: 74.77% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 69BY · Owners notified December 23, 2021

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.

Safety consequence

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Air Bag May Deactivate

NHTSA #19V474000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported June 19, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 138,896 vehicles

Repair completion: 82.12% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 69Z4 · Owners notified September 12, 2019 · Vehicles built June 10, 2014 – July 25, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.

Safety consequence

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Audi S3 model years

Check your 2015 Audi S3 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi S3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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