NHTSA vehicle safety data

2017 Audi S3 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2017 Audi S3 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 9 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 2017 Audi S3, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2017 Audi S3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Audi S3, describing incidents dated April 3, 2018 to June 11, 2024.

Most-cited components

  • Air Bags 5 complaints
  • Forward Collision Avoidance 1 complaint
  • Power Train 1 complaint
  • Structure 1 complaint
  • Unknown or Other 1 complaint
  • Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11594028 · Filed

    transmission failed after going over a small pothole at 20mph, after which engine revved up than slammed into high gear and jerked the car forward, car has been towed to dealership for inspection, transmission light came on

  • ODI #11484281 · Filed

    I have contacted Audi dealerships in my area with regard to Manufacturer Recall Number 69BY NHTSA Recall Number 21V198. But they say they do not have the parts to fix the recall and have no idea when they can fix it

  • ODI #11465743 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2017 Audi S3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and the contact was notified that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer…

Read all 9 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2017 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.

Frontal Air Bag may deploy too Forcibly/FMVSS 208

NHTSA #17V196000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported March 22, 2017 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 11,618 vehicles

Repair completion: 96.9% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 69Q3 · Owners notified April 20, 2017

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Safety consequence

If the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q3.

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 2017 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.

Check an Audi VIN