2019 Audi S3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (2)
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger 2021-03-22 · campaign 21V198000 · 153,152 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (659)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-22 · TSB_2020552_15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
Structure:body 2026-09-18 · TSB_2078648_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · TSB_2068573_6 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.
Showing the 6 most recent of 659 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-03-04 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2019 audi s3. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v198000 (air bags) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the repair would take two days. the contact took the vehicle back to his residence as the dealer declined to provide him with a…”
2019-11-22 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2019 audi s3. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v474000 (air bags); however, the parts for the recall remedy were not available. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to repair the vehicle. audi arlington (3200 columbia pike, arlington, va 22204, (703) 739-74…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.