KnownCarProblems2015 Audi S3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Audi S3, most often about the air bags (55% of complaints, typically around 52,000 miles). It is the most complained-about S3 model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2015 Audi S3 problems
Air bags
29 complaints · 55%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles.
My car's passenger side front seat abruptly developed a sensor failure. The "passenger airbag off" light is lit, signaling the airbag won't deploy despite a passenger sitting in the seat. This is dangerous. There has been a recall issued in june 2018 on 140k Audi cars with similar problem, my model has yet to be…
I had the pods recall 19v47400 done and noticed about 2 months ago that the airbag light came on saying Audi pre sense system fault, and safety system: system fault, where the passenger seat will think someone is in it and then when someone is in it, the airbag will stay off and occasionally come on but turn back off…
Electrical
9 complaints · 17%My car's passenger side front seat abruptly developed a sensor failure. The "passenger airbag off" light is lit, signaling the airbag won't deploy despite a passenger sitting in the seat. This is dangerous. There has been a recall issued in june 2018 on 140k Audi cars with similar problem, my model has yet to be…
Audi recall 69z4 messed up my passenger airbag and seatbelt warning sign. Had no issue until after the recall, so I called Audi immediately after and they claimed I had to replace some sensor that had 'nothing' to do with the sensor they 'fixed' from the recall. When the car starts the passenger seatbelt warning sign…
Fuel system
7 complaints · 13%Transmission
6 complaints · 11%Highway driving and car felt as if it went into neutral. Several dash lights came on and car was only able to shift into first gear. I managed to safely get off the highway and avoid a disaster and / or accident. Had my vehicle towed to the dealership and they did nothing to the car after two days. Had my car towed to…
I am writing in regards to a safety issue I recently became aware of after visiting my Audi dealership. With approximately 47,000 miles on the odometer I noticed a beeping noise. I had my car inspected and there were no results at that time. Over the last several months the sound returned. I went to Audi tysons corner…
Seat belts
5 complaints · 9%Audi recall 69z4 messed up my passenger airbag and seatbelt warning sign. Had no issue until after the recall, so I called Audi immediately after and they claimed I had to replace some sensor that had 'nothing' to do with the sensor they 'fixed' from the recall. When the car starts the passenger seatbelt warning sign…
I got a passenger airbag off problem on the second year, and keep going back to dealership to check the problem until I got a recall notice. After having the passenger airbag sensor repaired recall, the car still comes up the same problem plus the passenger seatbelt off light up. The Audi dealership now tell me that…
Seats
4 complaints · 8%My car's passenger side front seat abruptly developed a sensor failure. The "passenger airbag off" light is lit, signaling the airbag won't deploy despite a passenger sitting in the seat. This is dangerous. There has been a recall issued in june 2018 on 140k Audi cars with similar problem, my model has yet to be…
Engine
4 complaints · 8%2015 Audi S3 water pump failed just after the warranty expired at 52k miles requiring $1500 in repairs. The water pump had been leaking through the weep hole for some time. Leak was discovered while car was stationary in garage. I would expect more from a quality perspective from a luxury brand like Audi. The mechanic…
Background: bought it used with 19,660 miles. The car was still under warranty for one year after purchase date. Multiple problems arise in the next few months: 1. Coolant leak due to failed water pump. (note: replaced under dealer's 4year/ 50k miles new vehicle limited warranty). 2. Multiple failed wheel bearing (one…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: sidewall.
Haldex pump failure, occurred slowly and existed for over a year. I finally searched for information on "front right wheel slip Audi S3" and discovered there is a well established community of people with haldex pumps that stop working.
Background: bought it used with 19,660 miles. The car was still under warranty for one year after purchase date. Multiple problems arise in the next few months: 1. Coolant leak due to failed water pump. (note: replaced under dealer's 4year/ 50k miles new vehicle limited warranty). 2. Multiple failed wheel bearing (one…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2015 Audi S3 recalls
Air bags: front passenger
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel leak due to suction jet pump failure within fuel tank (remedy effectiveness of recall 16v647)
Summary
On december 12, 2023, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened rq23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of volkswagen (vw) recall 16v-647. Recall 16v-647 was issued on september 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (sjp) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the sjp could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (my) 2015-2016 volkswagen golf and audi a3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced sjp version 1.0 with an improved version, version 1.1. The sjp is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (evap) system. Vwâs recall filing stated the sjp may have been damaged during assembly, which
Questions about the 2015 Audi S3
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Audi S3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (29 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles); electrical (9 complaints); fuel system (7 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2015 Audi S3 have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 22, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2015 a bad year for the Audi S3?
- It is the most complained-about S3 model year since 2000, with 53 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Audi S3 years
- 2015