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SeatsPart report

2016 Audi S3 Seats Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
29%of 14 total for the year
Median mileage
38,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seats of the 2016 Audi S3, 29% of the 14 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“Car had no issues prior to recall 69z4. After Audi dealership performed work to satisfy recall 69z4 (NHTSA 19v474), the affected system (pods) now does not function at all. This renders the passenger seat airbag inoperable regardless of whether it is occupied. Audi will not cover the additional repair to the system that was perfectly functional until their recall repair was performed. This appears to be a widespread issue affecting similar a3/S3 model years.”

NHTSA complaint #11388170, filed 2021-01, 50,000 miles

“Front passenger airbag keeps shutting off and on when while driving and with a passenger sitting on the seat. Car was repaired once before for the same issue but the issue keeps showing again. A recall has been issued recently for this issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11287183, filed 2019-12, 38,000 miles

“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

Related service bulletins

Seats: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2016429%
201548%

Other parts of the 2016 Audi S3

Air bags
11 complaints
Other or unknown
2 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
Engine
1 complaints
Fuel system
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Audi S3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology