Audi S3 Reliability Problems

S3 owners have made 2 complaints over 6 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 5th in overall reliability out of 19 Audi models, with plenty of transmission concerns.

The Most Common S3 Problem

A list of some of the most common issues S3 owners have to deal with.

  1. Start-Stop Defects

    There are multiple problems with Audi's start-stop technology that outweigh the modest fuel efficiency gains. Owners complain that the system will shut off the power steering and brake systems at dangerous times and cause the accelerat The …

    Continue reading article "Start-Stop Defects" A tachometer with the red arrow pointing at the 'ready' position

  2. What Are We Missing?

    We know there's more problems than this. Let us know which one you'd like to see us cover next.

    Continue A tachometer with the red arrow pointing at the 'ready' position

What S3 Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

S3 Generations

Generations are groups of model years where few, if any, changes were made to the vehicle which means their model years tend to break in similar ways. The S3 has 1 generation available in North American markets.

S3 Key Numbers

  1. 2 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 376 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 2 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

S3 Class-Action Lawsuits

The S3 has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Dismissed

    Pitts, et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., et al.

    1. Dismissed

      The case was dismissed when a judge ruled Audi's owner's manuals clearly say the Start-Stop system "may turn off the engine before the car comes to a complete stop."

    2. Case Filed

      The lawsuit wanted refunds for the purchase price of the vehicles for class members, plus compensation for overpaying and for loss of values.

    Problem
    Start-Stop Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2017-2020 A3
    • 2017-2020 A4
    • 2017-2020 A5
    • 2017-2020 A6
    • 2017-2020 A7
    • 2017-2020 A8
    • 2017-2020 S3
    • 2017-2020 S4
    • 2017-2020 S6
    • 2017-2020 S8
    • 2017-2020 TT
    • 2017-2020 TTS
    • 2017-2020 Q5
    • 2017-2020 Q7
    • 2017-2020 Q8
    • 2017-2020 SQ5
    Location
    Virginia

  • Dusanjh v. Audi AG, et al.

    1. Case Filed

      The Audi Start-Stop system allegedly requires expensive repairs, car rentals, towing charges, time off work and other costs, while customers allegedly lose money as the vehicles lose their values.

    Problem
    Start-Stop Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2017-2020 A3
    • 2017-2020 A4
    • 2017-2020 A5
    • 2017-2020 A6
    • 2017-2020 A7
    • 2017-2020 A8
    • 2017-2020 S3
    • 2017-2020 S4
    • 2017-2020 S6
    • 2017-2020 S8
    • 2017-2020 Q5
    • 2017-2020 Q7
    • 2017-2020 Q8
    • 2017-2020 SQ5
    • 2017-2020 TT
    • 2017-2020 TTS
    Location
    British Columbia

Recent S3 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. More than 171,000 Audi sedans have been recalled for shutting off the airbag when there's a passenger in the front seat.

    This should give pause to anyone wanting to call "shotgun" on your next road tripl especially considering this is the second time the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) has been recalled in some of these vehicles over the last couple years. …

    keep reading article "Audi Recalls 171,000 Vehicles for Passenger Airbag System Shutoffs"

  2. Another Audi start-stop lawsuit has been dismissed

    after the judge ruled that the owner's manual clearly states the Start-Stop system may turn off the engine before the car comes to a complete stop. Is that all it takes to win in court? Be prepared for your next owner's manual to say "cars might catch on fire due to thermodynamics" just to cover all the bases.…

    keep reading article "A Judge Just Ruled That Audi's Start-System Operates As Intended"

  6. The lead plaintiff in Anzhelya Makaryan, et. al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. says a design defect in Audi's start-stop system allows vehicles to rollaway.

    The rollaways happen because the start-stop system won't deactivate if the driver takes off their seat belt for any reason while the vehicle is stopped.

    To make matters worse if that the system won't work even if the driver re-buckled their seat belts.

    keep reading article "Does Audi's Start-Stop Technology Allow Vehicles to Accidentally Roll Away?"

Other Audi Models