DecodedCars2016 Audi S3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.
- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Body styles
- Sedan Tfsi Quattro
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 26 combined · 23 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 176 in
- Curb weight
- 3,450 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Audi S3 is a subcompact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 176 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,450 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (23 city / 31 highway), 10% better than the 2016 subcompact car average of 23.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,150 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2016
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 S3 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 S3 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan Tfsi Quattro | 176 in | 70.9 in | 55.9 in | 103.9 in | 61 / 60.2 in | 3,450 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S3 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | +10% | $3,150 | 340 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Audi S3.
Similar 2016 subcompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Audi S3 (this car) | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 BMW 3 Series | 35 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 Lexus IS | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 Audi A4 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Audi A3 | 39 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2016 Audi A5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 BMW i8 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jul 27, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V543000 · 1,216 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
- 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.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Mar 22, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V198000 · 153,152 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Jun 19, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V474000 · 138,896 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- 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.
Not every 2016 Audi S3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Audi S3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 11 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Seats — 4 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Engine — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 50,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Audi S3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S3 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 S3 | 26 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 S3 | 26 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 S3 | 26 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 S3 | 26 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 S3 | 26 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 S3 | 27 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 7 | 2 |
| 2020 S3 | 25 | 176 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 S3 | 25 | 176 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 2 |
| 2018 S3 | 25 | 176 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 5 |
| 2017 S3 | 24 | 176 in | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2015 S3 | 26 | 176 in | Not rated | 2 | 53 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →