2022 Audi S3: common problems and reliability
· 8YOne of the weaker S3 years.
2 owner complaints, most about power train. 7 recalls.
Should I buy a 2022 S3?The 2022 Audi S3 has 2 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system. Owners most often flag driver seat leather sagging and rippling after one year of daily use.
Safety record for the 2022 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2022 Audi S3 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other S3 years only. How we score it
Is 2022 a good year for the S3?
Across the 8 S3 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2020) to 53 (2015). With 2 complaints, the 2022 S3 sits about the same as the model's median of 5.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2022 S3
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 21V825000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
seat belts:rear/other:retractor
Campaign 21V606000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
child seat:vehicle latch anchor
Campaign 22V224000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 A3 Sedan and S3 Sedan vehicles. The child seat anchorage fitting sleeves are incorrectly marked with a different symbol than the one described in the owner's manual. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
seat belts:pretensioner
Campaign 22V515000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Audi S3 and A3 sedans. The retention force of the seat belt tensioner on the driver and front passenger seats may be inadequate to properly restrain the occupants during a crash.
Show 3 more recalls
air bags:frontal
Campaign 22V652000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Audi S3, A3, and RS3 vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been folded incorrectly.
equipment:electrical:infotainment:video (touch)screen/monitor/unit
Campaign 22V806000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
back over prevention:display function
Campaign 22V823000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Golf R A8, Audi S3, RS3 Sedan, Q4 E-Tron SUV, A3 Sedan, and 2022-2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI, and ID4 vehicles. The rearview camera image may be blank or unresponsive when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear or when the park function is manually activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
What owners report on the 8Y S3
Owners of the 8Y S3 largely describe it as an excellent do-it-all daily driver that is fun, responsive, and refined, with strong praise for its powertrain and handling in dynamic mode.
- RecurrentDriver seat leather sagging and rippling after one year of daily use
- RecurrentInfotainment user profile PIN-to-unlock feature being slow and unreliable
- IsolatedPaint clearcoat peeling/failure on a 2020 example
- IsolatedRear camera cable connector coming loose
- IsolatedDRL LED burning and leaving residue in the headlight
Owner insights for the 8Y S3. Read the full 8Y owner report.
Other S3 model years
Compare every S3 year side by side to see how 2022 ranks against the rest.
Compare the S3 against its rivals
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