What are the most common problems with the 2017 Audi S3?

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (5 complaints), followed by forward collision avoidance (1).

How many 2017 Audi S3 complaints mention a crash or fire?

0 of 9 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2017 Audi S3 recalls and problems

2 recalls and 9 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2017 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.

2017 Audi S3 recalls

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 17V196000 · reported March 22, 2017 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 11,618 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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."
The risk: If the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

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

Air bags5
Forward collision avoidance1
Power train1
Structure1
Unknown or other1
Visibility/wiper1

What owners report

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

Jun 12, 2024 · Forward collision avoidance
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

Sep 13, 2022 · Air bags
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

May 23, 2022 · Air bags
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 had been notified of…

May 9, 2022 · Air bags · 49,500 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Audi S3. The front passenger seat air bag warning light failed to illuminate whether there was a passenger seated in the seat or not. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that the part was not…

Feb 17, 2022 · Air bags · 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Audi S3. The contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The owner contacted a local dealer to set up a recall appointment. The contact set the appointment and was told by the dealer that the parts would be ordered and that the dealer would contact the owner. The owner waited…

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
2020	1	1	0

All Audi S3 years →

Questions

Does the 2017 Audi S3 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2017 Audi S3, the most recent reported on March 22, 2021 (Air bags: sensor, occupant classification, front passenger, Air bags: on-off switch assembly). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Audi S3?: Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (5 complaints), followed by forward collision avoidance (1).
How many 2017 Audi S3 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 0 of 9 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 June 12, 2024.