2017 Audi S3

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2017 Audi S3 has 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (50% of all complaints), specifically: seatpod sensor for passenger air bag fault messages. had this repaired done 4 times since purchased new. i don't feel save driving in this car. please help. bbb cant help me..

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

5 complaints

50%

• SEATPOD SENSOR FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG FAULT MESSAGES. HAD THIS REPAIRED DONE 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED NEW. I DON'T FEEL SAVE DRIVING IN THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP. BBB CANT HELP ME.
• 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 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 t

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“SEATPOD SENSOR FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG FAULT MESSAGES. HAD THIS REPAIRED DONE 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED NEW. I DON'T FEEL SAVE DRIVING IN THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP. BBB CANT HELP ME.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

1 complaints

10%

• I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT AS IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN HAD GONE OFF IN MY CAR. I SPOKE WITH MY INSURANCE AGENT AND HE TOLD ME TO CALL AUDI BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. AUDI DID FIX T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT AS IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN HAD GONE OFF IN MY CAR. I SPOKE WITH MY INSURANCE AGENT AND HE TOLD ME TO CALL AUDI BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. AUDI DID FIX T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

VISIBILITY

1 complaints

10%

• AFTER PURCHASING A 2017 AUDI S3 I IMMEDIATELY ENCOUNTERED HORRIBLE CHATTERING OF THE WIPER BLADES IN MY VERY FIRST DRIVE IN THE RAIN. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN MY CAR TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE 10+ OCCASIONS. THIS CHATTERING AND SKIPPING OF THE WIPER BLADES IS SO BAD THAT I AND M

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“AFTER PURCHASING A 2017 AUDI S3 I IMMEDIATELY ENCOUNTERED HORRIBLE CHATTERING OF THE WIPER BLADES IN MY VERY FIRST DRIVE IN THE RAIN. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN MY CAR TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE 10+ OCCASIONS. THIS CHATTERING AND SKIPPING OF THE WIPER BLADES IS SO BAD THAT I AND M”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

1 complaints

10%

• UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65-75, THE CAR VIBRATES. I ATTEMPTED TO REACH OUT TO OTHER DRIVES AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUES ALL ACROSS THE BOARD. NOT LOCAL AND NOT SELECT YEAR. UNDER FURTHER HOMEWORK, MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ONLINE. MANY OTHERS SHOW THE WO

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65-75, THE CAR VIBRATES. I ATTEMPTED TO REACH OUT TO OTHER DRIVES AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUES ALL ACROSS THE BOARD. NOT LOCAL AND NOT SELECT YEAR. UNDER FURTHER HOMEWORK, MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ONLINE. MANY OTHERS SHOW THE WO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

1 complaints

10%

• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 10 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: SEATPOD SENSOR FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG FAULT MESSAGES. HAD THIS REPAIRED DONE 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED NEW. I DON'T FEEL SAVE DRIVING IN THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP. BBB CANT HELP ME.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT AS IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN HAD GONE OFF IN MY CAR. I SPOKE WITH MY INSURANCE AGENT AND HE TOLD ME TO CALL AUDI BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. AUDI DID FIX T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: AFTER PURCHASING A 2017 AUDI S3 I IMMEDIATELY ENCOUNTERED HORRIBLE CHATTERING OF THE WIPER BLADES IN MY VERY FIRST DRIVE IN THE RAIN. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN MY CAR TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE 10+ OCCASIONS. THIS CHATTERING AND SKIPPING OF THE WIPER BLADES IS SO BAD THAT I AND M
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65-75, THE CAR VIBRATES. I ATTEMPTED TO REACH OUT TO OTHER DRIVES AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUES ALL ACROSS THE BOARD. NOT LOCAL AND NOT SELECT YEAR. UNDER FURTHER HOMEWORK, MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ONLINE. MANY OTHERS SHOW THE WO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)