2016 Audi S3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
44,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 14 complaints (78.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.1% |
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 | 11 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 |
Air Bags: 11; Seats: 4; Unknown Or Other: 2; Back Over Prevention: Warnings: 1; Engine: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Visibility/Wiper: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2019: 1; 2020: 7; 2021: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 11298302 · 2020-01-09 (January 9, 2020)
VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECALL FOR THE 2017-2018 AUDI A3, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR. THE CAR STARTS NORMALLY, SHIFTS INTO GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE) ACCELERATES NORMALLY, BEFORE THE ENGINE DIES (RPM GAUGE DROPS TO 0). THE CAR FORCES ME TO PUT IT IN PARK BEFORE STARTING NORMALLY WHEN PUSHING THE START/STOP BUTTON. IT HAS HAPPENED 15+ TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC AND NO ERROR CODES APPEAR. WE HAVE TESTED TO SEE IF IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE GAS TANK IS BELO…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11298302 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11505674 · 2023-02-05 (February 5, 2023)
Where do I start? We have taken this car into the Audi dealership four times due to the engine. Overheating and being almost stranded in the middle of nowhere with it because oil was needing to be added to the engine all the time and after charging us hundreds and hundreds of dollars to do to plug in Their service computer system they finally realized that the car third high-pressure fuel pump leaking was leaking fuel into the crank case causing a hard start and fuel trim codes we spent and this is just the warrants $911.67 another time my husb…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11505674 at NHTSA ↗