Problems · NHTSA complaints
2017 Audi S3 problems
Owners filed 9 complaints about the 2017 Audi S3 with NHTSA between Apr 2018 and Jun 2024. The most-cited component is air bags (5).
Complaints
9
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags5
- Power train1
- Forward collision avoidance1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Structure1
- Other / unknown1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
2
1
0
4
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
5 reports2 related recalls
“I have contacted Audi dealerships in my area with regard to Manufacturer Recall Number 69BY NHTSA Recall Number 21V198. But they say they do not have the parts to fix the recall and have no idea when they can fix it”
Power train
1 report
“transmission failed after going over a small pothole at 20mph, after which engine revved up than slammed into high gear and jerked the car forward, car has been towed to dealership for inspection, transmission light came on”
Forward collision avoidance
1 report
Visibility/wiper
1 report
“AFTER PURCHASING A 2017 AUDI S3 I IMMEDIATELY ENCOUNTERED HORRIBLE CHATTERING OF THE WIPER BLADES IN MY VERY FIRST DRIVE IN THE RAIN. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN MY CAR TO THE AUDI DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE 10+ OCCASIONS. THIS CHATTERING AND SKIPPING OF THE WIPER BLADES IS SO BAD THAT I AND MANY OTHER A3 / S3 OWNERS NO LONGER USE OUR WIPERS IN THE RAIN AS THEY CAUSE MORE OF A DISTRACTION THAN GOOD. MOST OF US ARE NOW USING RAINX OR SOME OTHER REPELLENT TO EVACUATE THE WATER. I SENT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP VIDEO IN 2017 AND SO FAR THEY HAVE : POLISHED THE WINDOW, REPLACED THE BLADES TWICE, REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD, REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER ARM, AND NOW BACK TO POLISHING THE WINDOW AGAIN. I DECIDED TO ESCALATE TO AUDI USA AND RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING RESPONSE: WE UNDERSTAND WHEN PURCHASING A LUXURY VEHICLE YOU DON'T EXPECT CONCERNS TO ARISE. HOWEVER, OUR RESOURCES SHOW THE CHATTERING YOU'RE EXPERIENCING HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY MULTIPLE RESOURCES AND IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. WE REGRET TO LEARN THIS HAS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED YOUR AUDI EXPERIENCE AND WILL ENSURE THIS INFORMATION IS DOCUMENTED FOR OUR RECORDS. WHILE WE ARE UNABLE TO ASSIST WITH…”
Structure
1 report
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT AS IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN HAD GONE OFF IN MY CAR. I SPOKE WITH MY INSURANCE AGENT AND HE TOLD ME TO CALL AUDI BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. AUDI DID FIX THE CAR WHICH WAS HAD A TON OF DAMAGE BECAUSE THE GLASS WENT EVERYWHERE WHEN THE SUNROOF EXPLODED HOWEVER I WAS TOLD BY A GROUP OF ENGINEERS THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND THAT THEY FELT THAT IT WAS A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. I DID NOT WANT THE CAR AT THAT POINT. I SPOKE WITH AUDI OF AMERICA AND THEY RESPONDED THEY WERE DOING ME A FAVOR BY FIXING THE VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD NOT BUY IT BACK FROM ME BECAUSE ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE HAD OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM IT IS NOT A RECALL ISSUE YET.... THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR - IF I HAD WRECKED ON THE FREEWAY I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.