DecodedCars2017 Audi S3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.
- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Body styles
- Sedan Tfsi Quattro
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 21 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 176 in
- Curb weight
- 3,450 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 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 24 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2017 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 24 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), 4% better than the 2017 subcompact car average of 23 MPG, for an estimated $3,400 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2017
- Best combined MPG down from 26 to 24
Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 S3 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan Tfsi Quattro | 176 in | 70.9 in | 54.7 in | 103.5 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 | 21 / 28 / 24 | +4% | $3,400 | 373 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 Audi S3.
Similar 2017 subcompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Audi S3 (this car) | 24 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2017 BMW 3 Series | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2017 Lexus IS | 26 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2017 Audi A3 | 34 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2017 Audi A5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2017 BMW i8 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2017 Volvo S60 | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
Recalls (2)
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 · Mar 22, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V196000 · 11,618 vehicles
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- If the air bag deploys with more force than intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2017 Audi S3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2017 Audi S3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 4 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Structure › Body — 1 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Visibility/Wiper — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 35,000 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 2017 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 |
| 2016 S3 | 26 | 176 in | Not rated | 3 | 14 |
| 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 →