Avoid: 2015 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2020 (few owner reports)
7 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 7 model years, the Audi S3 has 86 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 17 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and power train. 2015 drew the most complaints (53), 2020 the fewest (1).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Audi S3 vehicles (US, public record).
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
Highest: 2015 (53 complaints). Lowest: 2020 (1).
Overall sentiment is positive, with the S3 consistently praised as an excellent all-around daily driver that blends performance, luxury, and practicality.
Noted as noticeable, especially when compared to sportier drive modes.
Cannot be fully disabled, only set to "subdued.".
The default setting is disliked, and turning it off is described as a "faff.".
Very frequent mentions of expensive routine services (e.g., $750 USD for 20k/40k mile service) and costly repairs for common failures.
A very common point of failure mentioned across multiple model years, often covered under warranty but expensive if not.
Owner insights cover all generations of the S3. Individual model years are broken down above.
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