RecallRepo

2016 Audi S3 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2016 Audi S3 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 293,264 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 22V543000 2022-07-27 1,216 affected
Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.

AIR BAGS 21V198000 2021-03-22 153,152 affected
Defect

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 passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.

Consequence

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.

AIR BAGS 19V474000 2019-06-19 138,896 affected
Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the…

Consequence

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS
11
SEATS
4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
1
ENGINE
1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1
SEAT BELTS
1
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1
Total complaints22

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Sunroof exploded while driving”

VISIBILITY/WIPER · reported 2026-03-29

“N/a”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2026-01-12

“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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2022-12-22

“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…”

SEATS · reported 2022-12-22

“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…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2022-12-22

“1. Passenger airbag has been off for 2 weeks. 2. On the information screen there has been a system malfunction ever since. 3. Car has been taken for repair to dealership for 3 times and the issue keeps coming back.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2021-08-31

“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…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2021-05-08

“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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2021-05-08

Defect investigations

Investigation RQ23007 Opened 2023-12-12 · closed 2024-07-01

Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a…

Investigation RQ23007 Opened 2023-12-12 · closed 2024-07-01

Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a…

Investigation RQ23007 Opened 2023-12-12 · closed 2024-07-01

Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 Audi S3 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.