2016 Audi s3
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2016 Audi s3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 26 on record.
2016 Audi s3 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2016 Audi s3 recalls 3
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.
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.
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2016 Audi s3 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2016 Audi s3 safety ratings
Rollover risk: 10.9% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2016 Audi S3 4 DR AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
2016 Audi s3 MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2016 Audi s3 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2016 Audi s3. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647) Closed
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 A…
NHTSA #RQ23007 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Dec 2023 · closed Jul 2024An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 631
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 631.
This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Bulletin TSB_2052680_2 · Sep 2026This 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.
Bulletin TSB_2083409_1 · Sep 2026This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
Bulletin TSB_2020552_15 · Visibility/wiper · Sep 2026This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Bulletin TSB_2074846_5 · Steering · Sep 2026This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Bulletin TSB_2030471_9 · Sep 2026This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the App Store for Android and Apple phones.
Bulletin TSB_2051095_12 · Sep 2026This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
Bulletin TSB_2068999_5 · Structure · Sep 2026This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
Bulletin TSB_2074436_3 · Aug 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn when there are rattling/grinding noises reported from the front end.
Bulletin TSB_2068629_3 · Suspension · Aug 2026This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
Bulletin TSB_2069904_3 · Service Brakes · Aug 2026Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the S3 AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2016 Audi s3. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the passenger-front airbag inflator could rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash. If this happens, the airbag may not inflate properly and small pieces of metal could be propelled toward vehicle occupants. Safety Risk: An airbag inflator that ruptures can create a risk of injury or death. Corrective Actions: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners…
Transport Canada #2022403 · Jul 2022Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may not work properly. This could cause the airbag system to turn off the passenger-front airbag even when a person is seated in the front passenger seat. Note: This problem would cause an error message to display on the instrument panel and a warning chime to sound. The airbag indicator light would also…
Transport Canada #2021169 · Mar 2021Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, there could be a loose wiring connection for the passenger occupant detection system (PODS). This could cause the airbag system to turn off the passenger-front airbag even though the seat may be occupied. Note: This problem would cause an error message to display on the instrument panel and a warning chime to sound. The airbag indicator light would a…
Transport Canada #2019308 · Jun 2019Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Audi s3
The Audi S3 is a performance version of the Audi A3 small family car, produced by German automaker Audi since 1999. S3 variants of have been produced from the first generation through the fourth generation of Audi A3.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
2016 Audi s3 trims & engines on record
2016 Audi s3 vehicles on record
2016 Audi s3 quattro Premium PlusWAUB1GFF5G1031286
2016 Audi s3 quattro Premium PlusWAUB1GFF3G1046417
2016 Audi s3 quattro Premium PlusWAUB1GFF1G1020673
2016 Audi s3 quattro Prestige, quattro Technik (Canada)WAUF1GFF7G1048303
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFF8G1085388
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFF0G1080301
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFF9H1034080
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFF5G1073280
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFFXH1012816
2016 Audi s3WAUZZZ8V4H1033569
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFF6H1027247
2016 Audi s3WAUZZZ8VXG1083164
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFF6G1052776
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFFXG1080869
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFF0H1013571
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFF3H1043082
2016 Audi s3WAUF1GFF5G1100365
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFF6G1102754
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFF0H1015935
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFF2G1076718
2016 Audi s3WAUZZZ8V4GA161602
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFF7G1063592
2016 Audi s3WAUB1GFF8H1028898
2016 Audi s3WAUF1GFF5H1038824