4.7

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,429 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #7

May 212021

S3

  • miles
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" The component that malfunctioned was with the electrical system. It was the Shift Lever Microswitch. It is not available for inspection because the car has been repaired. 2. How was the safety or safety of others put at risk" There was a build-up of silicate on the Shift Lever Micro Switch contacts. This build up may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "P-?? Park position. My safety and the safety of any passengers was at risk because if the ignition key is removed without the shift lever being in "P" Park position, there is a risk that the vehicle may roll away, resulting in a crash that could injure people and damage property. I believe this may make the vehicle noncompliant with FMVSS 114; Theft protection and rollaway prevention. PLEASE NOTE VOLKWAGEN OF AMERICA RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 679,000 CARS FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000, VOLKSWAGEN RECALL CODE 37M2.) 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center" The problem was confirmed and diagnosed by the dealer, Audi Buffalo. 4.Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance r representatives or others? The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than the dealer. The dealer notified the manufacturer, Audi of America. 5.Was there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptons of the problem prior to the failure and when did they first appear" Prior to the malfunction, a message was displaying in the instrument cluster that said -??Vehicle Electrics Malfunction, Shift to P before leaving car, contact Service. This started to display in May, 2021. It did not display all the time, just occasionally.

- Niagara Falls, NY, USA

problem #6

Apr 012021

S3

  • 60,000 miles
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.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #5

Dec 102020

S3

  • miles
The passenger seat airbag sensor is faulty. I see everyone else has the same issue but when I type in my VIN it says it is not recalled? they wanted $1000 to fix it but it isn't my fault and I hope to see them own up to their mistake and fix our airbags. Online it says my vehicle should be covered and fixed for free but when I checked their site 2015 Audi S3 isn't covered, however, on this site, it will say it is but when I type in VIN nothing.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #4

Nov 022020

S3

  • miles
After having the passenger airbag sensor repaired per recall campaign 19V474000, I started getting passenger airbag warnings again. The Audi dealership now says the pods sensor in the seat itself is faulty, and requires a >$1,700 repair. Given the number of times this exactly problem - having the pods sensor fail after having the recall addressed - has been reported to the NHTSA and on Audi forums, it seems pretty clear this is a major safety issue likely either associated with or triggered by the recall itself. It looks like Audi is trying to get away with a "cheap" fix via the recall, when there is a broader more expensive issue going on.

- Tiburon, CA, USA

problem #3

Dec 162019

S3

  • 45,000 miles
Audi recall 69Z4 messed up my passenger airbag and seatbelt warning sign. Had no issue until after the recall, so I called Audi immediately after and they claimed I had to replace some sensor that had 'nothing' to do with the sensor they 'fixed' from the recall. When the car starts the passenger seatbelt warning sign keeps blinking with the airbag light on when there is no passenger. When there is a passenger and the car starts there is no seatbelt warning sign and the passenger airbag is turned off. These issues never existed until after the recall and Audi is charging $1200 to replace the sensor that should not be a wear-and-tear product.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #2

Nov 282018

S3

  • miles
Passenger seat occupancy sensor SRS airbag light warning comes up whether or not there is a seated passenger. Passenger is not being detected and airbag stays off. Happens when stationary or in motion. Vehicle is always giving warning sounds that seat belt is not fastened. Issue tested by dealer. Seems to be common known issue with recent Audi's. others to have reported same issue.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #1

Sep 052018

S3

  • 52,000 miles
My car's passenger side front seat abruptly developed a sensor failure. The "passenger airbag off" light is lit, signaling the airbag won't deploy despite a passenger sitting in the seat. This is dangerous. There has been a recall issued in June 2018 on 140K Audi cars with similar problem, my model has yet to be included, and there are likely more cars with similar malfunction.

- Langhorne, PA, USA