Audi S3, representative photo
Representative model. Photo: Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2016 Audi S3 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2016 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns
3
Park-it warnings
0
Complaints
14
Latest campaign
Jul 27, 2022

Recall summary by component3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
ComponentCampaignsLatestCampaign IDs
Air bags3Jul 27, 2022
22V54300021V19800019V474000

Safety recalls3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
0Park-it warnings
0Fixable over the air
Jul 27, 2022Latest campaign
Jul 27, 202222V543000

Air bags: frontal passenger side

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

DetailsHide details for campaign 22V543000
What's wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.
Campaign
NHTSA 22V543000 · Jul 27, 2022
Mar 22, 202121V198000

Air bags: sensor occupant classification

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 21V198000
What's wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
Risk
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.
Campaign
NHTSA 21V198000 · Mar 22, 2021
Jun 19, 201919V474000

Air bags: sensor occupant classification

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 19V474000
What's wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
Risk
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.
Campaign
NHTSA 19V474000 · Jun 19, 2019
To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Audi recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component14

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h
14Complaints filed
0Involving a crash
0Involving a fire
0Injuries reported
ComponentShareComplaints%CrashesFiresInjuries
Air bags1179000
Seats429000
Unknown or other214000
Visibility/wiper17000
Fuel/propulsion system17000
Back over prevention17000
Seat belts17000
Engine17000

An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

  • Visibility/wiper

    “Sunroof Exploded while driving”

    Filed 03/29/2026 · ODI 11727853
  • Unknown or other

    “N/A”

    Filed 01/12/2026 · ODI 11710500
  • Air bags

    “Received notice for safety recall to have PODs system repaired or replaced free of charge by Audi. Took my vehicle in for the recall.”

    Filed 04/13/2024 · ODI 11582791

Other Audi S3 model years

All years: 2022 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015

Other Audi models

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2016 Audi S3 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Audi S3 have?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Audi S3. The most recent, 22V543000 (reported July 27, 2022), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2016 Audi S3 recalls for?

The largest group is air bags, with 3 campaigns. Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Audi S3?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 11 complaints out of 14 filed with NHTSA (79%). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2016 Audi S3?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Audi recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Audi dealer.

Check a specific Audi by VIN

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