Does the 2016 Audi S3 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Audi S3, the most recent reported on July 27, 2022 (Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi S3?

Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (11 complaints), followed by seats (4).

How many 2016 Audi S3 complaints mention a crash or fire?

0 of 14 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2016 Audi S3 recalls and problems

3 recalls and 14 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Audi S3.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2016 Audi S3 recalls

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 22V543000 · reported July 27, 2022 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 1,216 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification, front passenger · Air bags: on-off switch assembly

NHTSA campaign 21V198000 · reported March 22, 2021 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 153,152 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: 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.

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification

NHTSA campaign 19V474000 · reported June 19, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 138,896 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags11
Seats4
Unknown or other2
Back over prevention1
Engine1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Seat belts1
Visibility/wiper1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Mar 29, 2026 · Visibility/wiper
Sunroof Exploded while driving

Jan 12, 2026 · Unknown or other
N/A

Apr 13, 2024 · Air bags
Received notice for safety recall to have PODs system repaired or replaced free of charge by Audi. Took my vehicle in for the recall. Audi wanted to charge me to complete this safety recall and refused to complete the recall if I didn't pay. This was bluegrass motorsports in Louisville ky. They also damaged my…

Feb 5, 2023 · Fuel/propulsion system
Where do I start? We have taken this car into the Audi dealership four times due to the engine. Overheating and being almost stranded in the middle of nowhere with it because oil was needing to be added to the engine all the time and after charging us hundreds and hundreds of dollars to do to plug in Their service…

Aug 31, 2021 · Air bags
1. PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS BEEN OFF FOR 2 WEEKS. 2. oN THE iNFORMATION SCREEN THERE HAS BEEN A SYSTEM MALFUNCTION EVER SINCE. 3. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN FOR REPAIR TO DEALERSHIP FOR 3 TIMES AND THE ISSUE KEEPS COMING BACK.

S3 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes
2015	2	53	1
2016	3	14	0
2017	2	9	0
2018	1	5	0
2019	1	2	0

All Audi S3 years →

Questions

Does the 2016 Audi S3 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Audi S3, the most recent reported on July 27, 2022 (Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi S3?: Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (11 complaints), followed by seats (4).
How many 2016 Audi S3 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 0 of 14 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 29, 2026.