VehicleVerdict

2022 Audi S3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 2022 Audi S3 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

5

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2022 compare to other S3 years?

S3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted71 complaints2015: 71 complaints2016: 22 complaints2017: 10 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 2 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 5 complaints2023: 0 complaints2024: 4 complaints
S3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2022 Audi S3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags120%
Electrical System120%
Seat Belts120%
Speed Control120%
Transmission120%

Does the 2022 Audi S3 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V823000Driver AssistanceNovember 2, 2022 · 2,607 units

Defect

Volkswagen 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."

Consequence

An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners February 14, 2023. Volkswagen owners will receive an owner notification letter once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Volkswagen) 91EK and (Audi) 91EL.

22V806000Electrical SystemOctober 26, 2022 · 6,076 units

Defect

Volkswagen 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."

Consequence

An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.

22V652000AirbagsAugust 29, 2022 · 4,117 units

Defect

Volkswagen 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.

Consequence

An incorrectly folded air bag can tear, prohibiting it from deploying properly during a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69DZ.

22V515000Seat BeltsJuly 20, 2022 · 2,584 units

Defect

Volkswagen 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.

Consequence

Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 68i2.

22V224000Child SeatApril 6, 2022 · 466 units

Defect

Volkswagen 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."

Consequence

An incorrectly marked child restraint anchorage may cause confusion during child seat installation, resulting in a child seat being improperly secured and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace all four fitting sleeves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May24, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72M7.

21V825000Driver AssistanceOctober 20, 2021 · 2,857 units

Defect

Volkswagen 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."

Consequence

A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.

21V606000Seat BeltsAugust 5, 2021 · 45,496 units

Defect

Volkswagen 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."

Consequence

An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

The contact owns a 2022 AUDI S3. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V515000 (Seat Belts) and 22V652000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 28, 2022

2022 Audi S3 (8Y), ~35,000 miles. Vehicle developed “Gear selector malfunction. You may continue driving.” Dealer stated failure would eventually leave vehicle stranded. Gear selector replaced under partial goodwill. Immediately afterward, vehicle began experiencing communication faults U123100…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 12, 2026

2022 Audi S3 (8Y), ~35,000 miles. Vehicle developed “Gear selector malfunction. You may continue driving.” Dealer stated failure would eventually leave vehicle stranded. Gear selector replaced under partial goodwill. Immediately afterward, vehicle began experiencing communication faults U123100…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 AUDI S3. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V515000 (Seat Belts) and 22V652000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 28, 2022

2022 Audi S3 (8Y), ~35,000 miles. Vehicle developed “Gear selector malfunction. You may continue driving.” Dealer stated failure would eventually leave vehicle stranded. Gear selector replaced under partial goodwill. Immediately afterward, vehicle began experiencing communication faults U123100…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 12, 2026

2022 Audi S3 — common questions

Is the 2022 Audi S3 reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2022 Audi S3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2022 Audi S3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi S3 years should you avoid?

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

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.