2015 AUDI S3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
69
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
31
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2015 AUDI S3
The 2015 AUDI S3 has received a total of 69 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. 31 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (29 complaints), Electrical System (9 complaints), and Power Train (6 complaints).
Recalls for the 2015 AUDI S3
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2015 AUDI S3, potentially affecting up to 445,200 vehicles.
Recall 21V198000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
| 153,152 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 21V198000 — AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY
| 153,152 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 19V474000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
| 138,896 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2015 AUDI S3
69 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 AUDI S3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 29 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tiressidewall | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Unable to refuel car. Gas pump keeps clicking off and fuel backs up spilling out of fuel port. Mechanic tested fuel system and reported fuel tank has faulty jet pump seal. Mechanic says a recall was effected for certain audi models with this issue due emissions dangers and fire risk.
Gear Shift Micro Switch This is a documented issue recalled for VW and Audi vehicles between 2015-2019. VW recalled all and still is fixing the issue in cars from those years, yet AUDI decided to just offer an extended warranty to those cars for that specific issue. Who is responsible VW or AUDI. If Audi is owned by VW and the issue is in both types of cars made by them, why aren't AUDI vehicles included to the recall and repair.
Tail lights stopped working, the wire harness in the vehicle is known to get sheared due to a pinch point at the trunk hinge, this pinch point over a period of time will result in damage to the wire harness that controls the rear taillights as well as the opening and closing functions of the trunk. This is a known issue, with a TSB having been release, replacement is only offered if the damage is noticed during warranty period. This damage is hidden behind the trunk lining and can go unseen until the damage is done.
Gear Shift Micro Switch This is a documented issue recalled for VW and Audi vehicles between 2015-2019. VW recalled all and still is fixing the issue in cars from those years, yet AUDI decided to just offer an extended warranty to those cars for that specific issue. Who is responsible VW or AUDI. If Audi is owned by VW and the issue is in both types of cars made by them, why aren't AUDI vehicles included to the recall and repair.
When driving, without AND more importantly, WITH, a passenger in the front passenger seat, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) light goes on and indicates that the passenger air bag has been deactivated. I looked on line and saw that Audi has already recalled certain 2015-2019 Audi A3 Sedans but apparently my car is not part of the initial recall. I think the recall is BIGGER than Audi estimated and that my car should also be part of the recall. I plan to take to Audi to repair.
Safety Rating for the 2015 AUDI S3
The 2015 AUDI S3 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2015 AUDI S3
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 31 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2015 AUDI S3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
A0124392075010_1 — POWER TRAIN
This bulletin provides information when the engine warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster, and the vehicle has reduced power. DTCs P256300, P056E00, P00AF00.
A9124632044694_3 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
This bulletin provides information pertaining to MMI Navigation database concerns.
A6922762065720_1 — EQUIPMENT
This bulletin recommends installing a felt mat to mitigate noises caused by the front seat belt rubbing the seat cover.
A6921632061030_3 — AIR BAGS
This bulletin contains instructions for correcting DTC B12251B, B102229, and/or B102202 with airbag/seatbelt warning lamp or the PODs indicator light is displaying incorrectly.
A9121862062713_1 — EQUIPMENT
This bulletin contains repair instructions for when there is radio static when the rear heater is active.
A6920612061030_1 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
This bulletin contains instructions for correcting DTC B12251B and B102229 with airbag/seatbelt warning lamp or the PODs indicator light is displaying incorrectly.
A4020202047758_6 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This bulletin contains instructions for proper lubrication of the shock absorber to prevent cracking noises or spring jumps when steering.
A4219392042645_7 — SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
This bulletin provides information regarding the repair of rear shock mounting due to noises.
Dealer 24EC — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Undisclosed Engine Control Module (ECM) Software2015 S7, 2015-2016 S3 Sedan, 2016 A3 Sedan, A3 Cab, A6 Sedan, 2017 R8 Coupe, 2018 A5 Sportback, SQ5, R8 Spyder, A5 Coupe, A4 Sedan
A011906 2041261- — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin contains a software update to correct an EPC light with one or more of the following DTCs: P039B00, P03A500, P03AF00, P03B900, P030000, P030100, P030200, P030400, and P130A00.
Showing 10 of 31 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2015 AUDI S3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the AUDI S3
- 2015 AUDI S3 (current)
- 2016 AUDI S3 — 21 complaints
- 2017 AUDI S3 — 10 complaints
- 2018 AUDI S3 — 7 complaints
- 2019 AUDI S3 — 2 complaints
- 2020 AUDI S3 — 1 complaint