Makes›Audi›S3›2022

2022 Audi S3

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2022 models.

Audi S3
Pictured: Audi S3 Sprintblau. Photo: Thomas doerfer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
Sedan Tfsi Quattro
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
27 combined · 23 city / 32 hwy
Length
177.2 in
Curb weight
3,483 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
7 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.
  • 7 recallsMore than similar models (about 0). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2022 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2022 Audi S3 is a subcompact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 177 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,483 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (23 city / 32 highway), 13% better than the 2022 subcompact car average of 23.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the seat belts.

What changed for 2022

  • Best combined MPG up from 25 to 27

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 S3 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Sedan Tfsi Quattro177.2 in71.7 in56.3 in103.5 in61 / 60.2 in3,483 lb

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S32.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive23 / 32 / 27+13%$3,050331
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.9 MPG2022 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2022 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2022 Audi S3.

Similar 2022 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2022 Audi S3 (this car)27 MPGNot rated7
2022 BMW 3 Series30 MPG★★★★★0
2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class29 MPGNot rated0
2022 Tesla Model 3358 mi★★★★★18
2022 Audi A332 MPGNot rated6
2022 Audi A529 MPGNot rated2
2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class28 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (7)

Back Over Prevention › Display Function · Nov 2, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V823000 · 2,607 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Golf R A8, Audi S3, RS3 Sedan, Q4 E-Tron SUV, A3 Sedan, and 2022-2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI, and ID4 vehicles. The rearview camera image may be blank or unresponsive when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear or when the park function is manually activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners February 14, 2023. Volkswagen owners will receive an owner notification letter once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Volkswagen) 91EK and (Audi) 91EL.
Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Video (Touch)Screen/Monitor/Unit · Oct 26, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V806000 · 6,076 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.
Air Bags › Frontal · Aug 29, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V652000 · 4,117 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Audi S3, A3, and RS3 vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been folded incorrectly.
Risk
An incorrectly folded air bag can tear, prohibiting it from deploying properly during a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69DZ.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Jul 20, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V515000 · 2,584 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Audi S3 and A3 sedans. The retention force of the seat belt tensioner on the driver and front passenger seats may be inadequate to properly restrain the occupants during a crash.
Risk
Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 68i2.
Child Seat › Vehicle Latch Anchor · Apr 6, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V224000 · 466 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 A3 Sedan and S3 Sedan vehicles. The child seat anchorage fitting sleeves are incorrectly marked with a different symbol than the one described in the owner's manual. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk
An incorrectly marked child restraint anchorage may cause confusion during child seat installation, resulting in a child seat being improperly secured and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace all four fitting sleeves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May24, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72M7.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Oct 20, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V825000 · 2,857 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.
Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor · Aug 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V606000 · 45,496 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2022 Audi S3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

2Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
Seat Belts1
Air Bags1
Electrical System1
Power Train1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/09: 126/02: 122/0926/02max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2022 Audi S3 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Seat Belts — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Air Bags — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Electrical System — 1 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2022 Audi S3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other S3 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 S326–Not rated00
2026 S326177.2 inNot rated00
2025 S326177.2 inNot rated00
2024 S326177.2 inNot rated02
2023 S326177.2 inNot rated10
2020 S325176 in★★★★★11
2019 S325176 in★★★★★12
2018 S325176 in★★★★★15
2017 S324176 inNot rated29
2016 S326176 inNot rated314
2015 S326176 inNot rated253

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →