VehicleVerdict

Audi S3 years to avoid

The Audi S3 years to avoid are 2015 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2023 is the cleanest year on record.

122

Total complaints

12

Recall campaigns

2015–2024

Years covered

1

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Audi S3 NHTSA complaints by model year71 complaints2015: 71 complaints2016: 22 complaints2017: 10 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 2 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 5 complaints2023: 0 complaints2024: 4 complaints
Audi S3 NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

S3 years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2015High complaint rate71

Every S3 year

YearComplaintsRecalls
202440
202301
202257
202101
202011
201921
201871
2017102
2016223
2015avoid712

Common questions

What are the worst Audi S3 years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the S3 years to avoid are 2015. The cleanest year on record is 2023.

What is the best year for the Audi S3?

By complaint volume, 2023 has the cleanest NHTSA record among S3 years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Audi S3 have?

Across all model years, the S3 has 12 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 122 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.