2017 Audi S3 Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 28,859miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 21 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Audi S3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2017 Audi S3. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (56% of the total), followed by forward collision avoidance (1) and other or unknown (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 28,859 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 620 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the front passenger and 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Forward collision avoidance complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins 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.
- Air bags5 56%
- Other or unknown1 11%
- Body and structure1 11%
Example complaints
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.”
NHTSA complaint #11320434, filed 2020-04, 22,718 milesForward collision avoidance: “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 #11594028, filed 2024-06Other or unknown: “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 work that has been done to fix this issue, with out being successful. Wheel bearings replaced, wheels balanced, check for wheel damage and even drive shafts have been checked. The cars still have vibration around 65-75 MPH. …”
NHTSA complaint #11270922, filed 2019-10, 44,000 milesBody and 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 the car which was had a ton of damage because the glass went everywhere when the sunroof exploded however I was told by a group of engineers that this could happen again and that they felt that it was a structural problem with the vehicle. I did not want the car at that point. …”
NHTSA complaint #11088634, filed 2018-04, 6,703 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 18,000 and 44,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S3 · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2017 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2016: same overall rating; 2018: 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 2017 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S3 AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 24 | $3,400 |
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
- 21V198000Mar 22, 2021Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passengerCovers: Audi S3 2015–2020, A3 2015–2020, RS 3 2017–2020 +1 more
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…
- 17V196000Mar 22, 2017Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classificationCovers: Audi S3 2017, A3 Cabriolet 2017
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is…
Recall details for the 2017 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. 620 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038130Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- 11038027Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- 11038042Sep 22, 2026Steering. This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
- 11038024Sep 22, 2026Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
- 11038056Sep 18, 2026Body and structure. This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.
- 11038025Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
- 11038033Sep 8, 2026Body and structure. This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
- 11038026Sep 8, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the App Store for Android and Apple phones.
- 11036917Aug 26, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
- 11036907Aug 24, 2026Suspension. This bulletin provides informaiotn when there are rattling/grinding noises reported from the front end.
Other model years of the Audi S3
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 6,250 | 1 | 5 | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 9 | 28,859 | 2 | 5 | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 14 | 44,000 | 3 | 5 | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 53 | 52,000 | 2 | 5 | 26 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Audi S3 have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2017 Audi S3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2017 Audi S3 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (56% of the total), followed by forward collision avoidance with 1.
Has the 2017 Audi S3 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2017 Audi S3 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 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 2017 Audi S3 get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Audi S3 (S3, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Audi S3 reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 28,859 miles and the middle half falls between 18,000 and 44,000 miles; 100% 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.