2015 Audi S3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
53 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
52,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 53 complaints (54.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 9.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 5.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 5.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 29 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Seat Belts | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Wheels | 2 |
Air Bags: 29; Electrical System: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Power Train: 6; Seat Belts: 5; Engine: 4; Seats: 4; Wheels: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 33 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 7; 2020: 15; 2021: 10; 2022: 8; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10983595 · 2017-05-04 (May 4, 2017)
HIGHWAY DRIVING AND CAR FELT AS IF IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL. SEVERAL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR WAS ONLY ABLE TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. I MANAGED TO SAFELY GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND AVOID A DISASTER AND / OR ACCIDENT. HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID NOTHING TO THE CAR AFTER TWO DAYS. HAD MY CAR TOWED TO ANOTHER AUDI DEALERSHIP AND THEY ALSO DID NOTHING. AUDI OF AMERICA WAS NO HELP AS WELL.
Owner-reported narrative. 56,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10983595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11328601 · 2020-06-12 (June 12, 2020)
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT OF GEAR COMPLETELY LEAVING ME SOMETIMES STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A MULTILANE HIGHWAY UNABLE TO EVEN MOVE THE CAR TO A SAFE AREA. SOMETIME WHEN I GO TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPOT THE REVERSE GEAR DOESN'T EVEN ENGAGE, LEAVING ME STUCK FOR MINUTES AT A TIME TRYING TO TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF UNTIL IT DECIDES TO GO INTO REVERSE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11328601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11363660 · 2020-10-10 (October 10, 2020)
THE PASSENGER BAG SAFETY LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, AND HAS DONE FOR SOME TIME. THE PROBLEM OCCURS SOMETIMES WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT, BUT MOSTLY IT WILL OCCUR WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED. THE YELLOW DASH LIGHT COMES ON NEAR THE PASSENGER AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATES. THE INFORMATION PANEL ON THE DASH WILL SIMULTANEOUSLY REPORT "SAFETY SYSTEM: SYSTEM FAULT! SEE OWNER'S MANUAL" AND "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" AND "AUDI PRE SENSE: SYSTEM FAULT!" THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN RIGHT AFTER THE RECALL F…
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11363660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11414483 · 2021-04-29 (April 29, 2021)
AUDI AS ISSUED TSB #2043968/1 FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES IN REAR TRUNK. THE WIRING HARNESS CAN BREAK WHEN TRUNK LID IS OPENED OR CLOSED, CAUSING IT TO PINCH AND SEVERE WIRES. CAUSING THE REAR LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION FLASHERS NOT WORKING BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING, REVERSE LIGHTS NOT WORKING. THIS TSB COVERS EVERY VIN FOR 2015-2016. THEY NOW WANT TO CHARGE $1,000 TO FIX A DEFECT THEY KNEW ABOUT, THIS SHOUL BE BE A RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11414483 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11719022 · 2026-02-19 (February 19, 2026)
Unable to refuel car. Gas pump keeps clicking off and fuel backs up spilling out of fuel port. Mechanic tested fuel system and reported fuel tank has faulty jet pump seal. Mechanic says a recall was effected for certain audi models with this issue due emissions dangers and fire risk.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11719022 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11727270 · 2026-03-26 (March 26, 2026)
I am reporting a Safety Remedy Denial by Audi of America (Case #[XXX]) regarding a failed suction jet pump and charcoal canister in my 2015 Audi S3. This failure resulted in a fuel leak and strong fuel odor near the exhaust, creating an immediate fire hazard. Although Audi issued a 15-year/150,000-mile warranty extension ([XXX]) for the 8V chassis A3 population, they are denying coverage for my S3 variant. This is in direct contradiction to Audi's own TSB 2068171/5, which explicitly states the A3 model group 'includes S and RS versions.' Th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11727270 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11338801 · 2020-07-11 (July 11, 2020)
THE CAR HAS ISSUES WITH PARK LOCK WILL NOT STAY LOCKED AND WILL ROLL WITHOUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEING USED ALSO THE CAR HAS DSG EMERGENCY MODE COME ON WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. THE CAR HAS TRANSMISSION FAULT CODES CLUTCH 1 STAYING OPEN THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND HAS HAD MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION FAULT CODES THE FIRST CODE WAS UNEXPECTED / IMPLAUSIBLE MECHANICAL GEAR DISENGAGEMENT P2711 00 [200] - THE CAR WAS THEN WORKED ON AND WHAT WAS FOUND WAS BURNED CLUTCH DISKS THE CLUTCH PACK WAS THEN REPLACED BUT NOW A CODE OF CL…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11338801 at NHTSA ↗