2017 Audi S3 Safety Report
2017 Audi S3 Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Audi S3
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Audi S3. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (9) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Air Bags | Compare air bags issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Audi S3 with 1 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Audi S3 before buying across this generation. |
Audi S3 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi S3 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Audi S3 | 5 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Audi S3 | 13 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Audi S3 | 2 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Audi S3 | 51 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Audi S3 | 1 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Audi S3 | 2 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Audi S3 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Audi S3, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Air Bags
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Audi onlyPower Train,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyUnknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlyVisibility/Wiper
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Audi onlyStructure
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Audi S3
Reliability Score
The 2017 Audi S3 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Audi S3
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Audi S3
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Audi S3:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bag Deployment Failure A recall has been issued for the front passenger seat air bag due to potential failure to deploy. This issue can lead to serious injury or death in the event of a collision. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Failure Transmission failures have been reported after encountering small potholes at low speeds, causing the engine to rev up and jerk the car forward. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Visibility And Wiper Issues The visibility and wiper system have experienced issues, including wiper blade chatter and sunroof explosions, which can affect driving safety. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance System There have been reports of issues with the forward collision avoidance system, which could impact the car's ability to prevent or mitigate collisions. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Audi S3:
23% of reported issues are related to air bag deployment failures.
20% of reported issues are related to transmission failures.
15% of reported issues are related to visibility and wiper system problems.
10% of reported issues are related to forward collision avoidance system malfunctions.
Recall Details for the 2017 Audi S3
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Audi S3 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Summary: 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."
Consequence: If the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Audi 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Audi S3
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Audi S3 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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
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
The contact owns a 2017 Audi S3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and the contact was notified that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable am...
The contact owns a 2017 Audi S3. The front passenger seat air bag warning light failed to illuminate whether there was a passenger seated in the seat or not. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that the part was not available. Several months later an appointment was scheduled; however, later the con...
The contact owns a 2017 Audi S3. The contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The owner contacted a local dealer to set up a recall appointment. The contact set the appointment and was told by the dealer that the parts would be ordered and that the dealer would contact the owner. The owner waited over one month and had to re-contact the dealer and was told that they no longer ...
SEATPOD SENSOR FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG FAULT MESSAGES. HAD THIS REPAIRED DONE 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED NEW. I DON'T FEEL SAVE DRIVING IN THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP. BBB CANT HELP ME.
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65-75, THE CAR VIBRATES. I ATTEMPTED TO REACH OUT TO OTHER DRIVES AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUES ALL ACROSS THE BOARD. NOT LOCAL AND NOT SELECT YEAR. UNDER FURTHER HOMEWORK, MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ONLINE. MANY OTHERS SHOW THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS ISSUE, WITH OUT BEING SUCCESSFUL. WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED, WHEELS...
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 TH...
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 HOW...
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2017 Audi S3
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Evaporative Emissions:Canister
Opened 2023-12-12 · Closed 2024-07-01
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Audi S3
Has the 2017 AUDI S3 been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 AUDI S3 has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 AUDI S3 have?
The 2017 AUDI S3 has 9 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 AUDI S3?
The 2017 AUDI S3 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 AUDI S3?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 AUDI S3 involve air bags (5 complaints), power train,forward collision avoidance (1 complaints), unknown or other (1 complaints). Other affected components include visibility/wiper, structure.
How many crash reports does the 2017 AUDI S3 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2017 AUDI S3 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2017 AUDI S3 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2017 AUDI S3 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 AUDI S3?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 AUDI S3.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 AUDI S3?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 AUDI S3.
Should I buy a 2017 AUDI S3?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 AUDI S3 is generally recommended. It has 9 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 AUDI S3?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 AUDI S3 are: 1. AIR BAGS (5 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints), 4. VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints), 5. STRUCTURE (1 complaints). AIR BAGS is the single most-reported problem area with 5 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 AUDI S3?
Be aware of the potential for air bag deployment failures and transmission issues. Regularly check the air bag system and have the transmission inspected if you encounter any problems. The 2017 AUDI S3 has 9 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2017 AUDI S3?
The 2017 AUDI S3 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 9 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Air Bag Deployment Failure and Transmission Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2017 AUDI S3?
Known issues with the 2017 AUDI S3 include: Air Bag Deployment Failure, Transmission Failure, Visibility and Wiper Issues, Forward Collision Avoidance System. These are based on patterns found across 9 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 Audi S3?
Yes, there have been recalls related to air bag deployment failures and transmission issues.
What are the most common issues reported for the 2017 Audi S3?
The most common issues are air bag deployment failures, transmission problems, and visibility and wiper system issues.
Is the forward collision avoidance system reliable?
There have been reports of issues with the forward collision avoidance system, so it's advisable to check its functionality regularly.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of the potential for air bag deployment failures and transmission issues. Regularly check the air bag system and have the transmission inspected if you encounter any problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Audi S3
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Audi S3. The data includes 9 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Audi S3 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13