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Audi S3Model year report

2016 Audi S3 Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
44,000miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
26 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 23 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Audi S3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2016 Audi S3. The part named most often is air bags, with 11 complaints (79% of the total), followed by seats (4) and other or unknown (2). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 44,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 630 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Seats complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “After bringing in my vehicle for service, the dealer informed me of a necessary recall repair that would prevent potential passenger airbag failure. I authorized the repair, although I had not encountered any issues prior. However about a month after the repair, I began to receive a flashing warning on the dash while driving and sometimes immediately after starting the car while stationary which read safety system: system fault! See owner's manual , passenger airbag off and Audi pre sense: system fault! . I now receive the warning every time I start the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11366890, filed 2020-10, 55,000 miles

Seats: “Dashboard warning lights indicating air bag is off even when passenger seat is occupied. Under warranty service was performed and failed to address the issue, was told by dealer that the repair would be $1400 despite safety recall and inadequate effort made to repair vehicle safety issue under warranty. Audi of grapevine, texas appear to be crooks.”

NHTSA complaint #11348678, filed 2020-08, 15,000 miles

Other or unknown: “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 vehicles door trim and stole money from my glove box(my fault for leaving money inside). Filed a complaint on the dealers website and was never reached out to. This is why safety recall remains open on my vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11582791, filed 2024-04

Back-over prevention (rear camera): “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 computer system they finally realized that the car third high-pressure fuel pump leaking was leaking fuel into the crank case causing a hard start and fuel trim codes we spent and this is just the warrants $911.67 another time my husband was backing out of our brand, new home and…”

NHTSA complaint #11505674, filed 2023-02

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36,000 and 55,000 miles.

0%0–1013%10–2538%25–5038%50–750%75–10013%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 44,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2019202072021202320242026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Audi S3. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
S3 · sedan AWD★★★★★4 / 5554 · 10.9% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2016 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 Audi S3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
S3 AWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic233126$3,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2016 Audi S3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 630 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 630 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi S3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201856,2501525—Not enough data
2017928,8592524—Not enough data
20161444,0003526—Not enough data
20155352,0002526Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling

All Audi S3 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Audi S3 have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2016 Audi S3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Audi S3 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 11 complaints (79% of the total), followed by seats with 4.

Has the 2016 Audi S3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2016 Audi S3 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Audi S3 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Audi S3 get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Audi S3 (S3, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Audi S3 reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 44,000 miles and the middle half falls between 36,000 and 55,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.