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2017 Audi S3: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Ratings

2Safety recalls
9Owner complaints
5★NHTSA overall
Quick answer

The 2017 Audi S3 has 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns and 9 owner complaints on file, with an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Check a specific VIN to confirm whether recalls apply, whether repairs were completed, and what to verify before you buy.

2017 Audi S3 safety record graphic showing 2 recalls, 9 owner complaints and 5-star overall NHTSA rating.
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2017 Audi S3 pages show model-level safety data. A Carchieve VIN report checks the exact car before you buy.

Safety record reviewed June 2026 · sourced from NHTSA

The 2017 Audi S3 has 2 safety recall campaigns and 9 owner complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it earned an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Below is the public model-level safety record. To see whether a specific S3 had applicable recalls repaired and what its decoded VIN says, run that car's VIN.

Safety recalls

1

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Campaign 21V198000 · 22/03/2021

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.

RiskA deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
RemedyDealers 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.
2

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Campaign 17V196000 · 22/03/2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi A3 and S3 Sedan vehicles. In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

RiskIf the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
RemedyAudi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q3.

What owners complain about

The systems 2017 Audi S3 owners report most often to federal regulators:

Air Bags5
Power Train1
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Unknown Or Other1
Visibility1
Wiper1

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frontal crash★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Overall★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2017 Audi S3 have any recalls?

Yes. The 2017 Audi S3 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns associated with this model year. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer when the exact VIN is affected. Check your specific VIN to confirm applicability and completion.

What problems do 2017 Audi S3 owners report?

Owners have filed 9 complaints with the NHTSA for the 2017 Audi S3, most often about the air bags, power train, forward collision avoidance.

How do I check a specific S3's history?

Enter the 17-character VIN into Carchieve. You get the recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings shown here for that exact vehicle, plus full decoded specifications and a guided title and odometer check.

Check a specific 2017 Audi S3

This page covers the model. For one exact car, run its 17-character VIN to confirm recalls, decoded specifications and buyer checks.

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