repaired · 2024 Q2
Air bags: on-off switch assembly
Risk. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
2015 Audi S3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 53 owner complaints about the 2015 Audi S3, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-198 the manufacturer reports only 67% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 31, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2015 Audi S3 has problems
53 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
29Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
9Electrical system
7Fuel/propulsion system
6Power train
5Seat belts
4Seats
4Engine
2Wheels
1Service brakes
44 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 29 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 0 |
| Power train | 6 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 |
| 4 other systems | 4 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2015 Audi S3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Sensor: occupant classification
Risk. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.
Best & worst years
2015 vs. every other S3 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S3 median. How we score
'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2015 Audi S3 safety ratings
2015 Audi S3 4 DR AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: Optional
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2015 Audi S3, and the recalls they led to.
- Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)Led to recall 24V-110
In owners' words
What S3 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
When driving, without AND more importantly, WITH, a passenger in the front passenger seat, the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) light goes on and indicates that the passenger air bag has been deactivated. I looked on line and saw that Audi has already recalled certain 2015-2019 Audi A3…
I have had a passenger airbag recall since 2021, and I have tried to schedule the maintenance for that recall several times, but each of the 5 times that I’ve tried, the Audi dealership (in Glenwood Springs, CO) says they don’t have the parts in stock. Each time that happens, I’m told I’ve been put…
The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was…
Own a 2015 S3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.