Audi

S3

Subcompact Cars · model years 2015 to 2025

See all 10 S3 trims All Audi cars

The verdict

Best year: 2025. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 2; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 2016. complaints: 14, about 7x this model's typical 2; recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Audi S3
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2015	1Gas	26	$2,950	2	52	1	AIR BAGS 41%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 52, about 26x this model's typical 2 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 8 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	1Gas	26	$2,950	3	14	1	AIR BAGS 50%, SEATS 18%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9%
complaints: 14, about 7x this model's typical 2 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	1Gas	24	$3,200	2	9	1	AIR BAGS 50%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 10%, POWER TRAIN 10%
complaints: 9, about 4.5x this model's typical 2 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 Score: 10 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	1Gas	25	$3,100	1	5	1	FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 29%, POWER TRAIN 29%, AIR BAGS 14%
complaints: 5, about 2.5x this model's typical 2 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 30 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	1Gas	25	$3,100	1	2	1	AIR BAGS 100%
complaints: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 70 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	1Gas	25	$3,100	1	1	1	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 100%
complaints: 1, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 78 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	1Gas	27	$2,850	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	1Gas	26	$2,950	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	1Hybrid	26	$2,950	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	1Gas	26	$2,950	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2015: 26 to 2025: 26

Owner complaints2015: 52 to 2025: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Audi S3 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.