2019 Audi S3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
No verdictComplaint Index
33/100
#7 most-complained of 10 S3 years
The 2019 Audi S3 has a Complaint Index of 33, ranking 7th out of 10 model years, with 2 complaints and 1 recall on file — better than most other S3 years.
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 29 hwy
Top 2019 Audi S3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags2 (100%)
What owners report
- Owners report delays getting parts for the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) airbag recall repair.
- In one case a dealer said the recall repair would take two days and declined to provide a loaner or rental vehicle.
- Both sample complaints involve the airbag recall process rather than a random airbag failure in normal driving.
2019 Audi S3 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V198000Mar 22, 2021Airbags153,152 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
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.
2019 Audi S3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other S3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Audi S3 reliable?
- NHTSA lists a Complaint Index of 33 for the 2019 S3, which ranks 7th out of 10 model years — a comparatively low complaint level for this model.
- What problems does the 2019 Audi S3 have?
- NHTSA shows 2 complaints for the 2019 S3, both tied to the Airbags category, which makes up 100% of reported problem areas for this year.
- Does the 2019 Audi S3 have an airbag recall?
- Yes. Recall 21V198000 covers the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) sensor mat and control module on certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan and related Audi models; dealers replace the sensor mat and update the module free of charge.
- Should I avoid the 2019 Audi S3?
- No 'Avoid' verdict is listed for the 2019 S3. Years like 2015, 2016, and 2017 carry 'Avoid' verdicts with higher Complaint Index values of 100, 89, and 78.