2019 Audi S3 problems
The Audi S3 is a hot hatch version of the Audi A3 small family car, produced by German automaker Audi since 1999. S3 variants of both the first- and second-generation Audi A3 have been produced.
Like all Audi S models, it is only available with quattro four-wheel drive system.
First generation (Typ 8L, 1999-2003)
Overview
The first generation S3 is built on the same A platform of the Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf Mk4, Audi TT, SEAT León and Škoda Octavia.
The straight-4 20v 1.8 L turbocharged petrol engine comes in two versions of power output: 210 PS (154 kW; 207 hp) and 225 PS (165 kW; 222 hp). Early models (1999–2001) had 210 PS (154 kW; 207 hp) which is said to be a de-tuned Audi TT engine, and was said to be reduced to lessen brand competition with the more powerful TT. Later models (2001–2003) had variable valve timing and 225 PS (165 kW; 222 hp). The engine provides a maximum 280 N⋅m (210 ft⋅lbf) of torque, most of which is available from 2200 through to 5500 rpm. This is the first time a small five-valve engine has been used in an Audi S-series car..
Although dubbed "quattro", the S3 uses a different "on-demand" four-wheel drive system. The Haldex Traction coupling adjusts the bias of torque distribution from the front to rear axle as grip requirements change - most of the time it operates as a front-wheel drive.
The S3 was sold in the United Kingdom, Europe, Mexico, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, but was not officially marketed in the United States.
The S3 was facelifted in 2000, where it was given one-piece headlights/indicator units, different front wings, rear lights clusters, and some minor upgrades to interior trim. There had been minor changes to the design previous to this, including digital clock on the dash.
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Common 2019 Audi S3 problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 2019 Audi S3, several common problems have been reported:
- Engine Failure in Enthusiastic Driving: Driving the Audi S3 enthusiastically can accelerate the wear and tear of components, leading to potential engine failure. It is crucial to avoid aggressive driving to prevent costly engine damage.
- Fuel Cuts and Power Loss: Some owners have reported sudden loss of power due to a worn-out fuel pump cam follower. Failure to replace this component can result in damage to the camshaft, emphasizing the importance of prompt action to address this issue.
- Misfiring Engine: The oil breather valve on the front of the cam cover is prone to sticking, causing the engine to misfire. Regular replacement of this valve every 10,000 miles can help prevent misfiring issues.
- Window Malfunction: Plastic clips on the window regulator of the S3 can break easily, leading to window malfunction. Replacing these clips with metal ones can solve the window problem.
- Steering Wheel Vibration: Excessive steering wheel vibration accompanied by knocking or banging noises while turning may indicate a worn-out top strut bearing. Replacing this component can eliminate the vibration issue.
- Coolant Temperature Sensor Failure: Older models of the S3 may experience a black coolant temperature sensor failure, leading to engine power loss. Replacing this sensor with an upgraded green version can help maintain engine performance.
These common problems with the 2019 Audi S3 highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to issues to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of the vehicle.
What is the common engine problem in the Audi S3?
Engine-Related Issues
Oil Consumption: Some owners have reported higher than normal oil consumption, which can lead to more frequent top-ups and potential long-term engine damage if not monitored.
Is it worth it to buy an Audi S3?
Conclusion: it's a great starter performance car. On the road, where your surroundings don't sap speed quite like they do on track, it feels livelier. My other half, Sophie, took the wheel a fair few times and she always remarked on how much she liked driving it.
How many miles can an Audi S3 last?
Any reason why the S3 should not do well over 200k miles? Any modern mass-produced car should be good for 200k with the correct, regular servicing.
Is an Audi S3 a good daily?
The Audi S3 managed to come with all the luxury and performance you need. However, the S3 Sedan also includes enough practicality to seamlessly use the car as your daily driver. This makes it the perfect daily driver for gearheads that are looking for the best of both worlds.
What is the common engine problem in the Audi S3?
Engine-Related Issues
Oil Consumption: Some owners have reported higher than normal oil consumption, which can lead to more frequent top-ups and potential long-term engine damage if not monitored.
Is it worth it to buy an Audi S3?
Conclusion: it's a great starter performance car. On the road, where your surroundings don't sap speed quite like they do on track, it feels livelier. My other half, Sophie, took the wheel a fair few times and she always remarked on how much she liked driving it.
Is an Audi S3 a good daily?
The Audi S3 managed to come with all the luxury and performance you need. However, the S3 Sedan also includes enough practicality to seamlessly use the car as your daily driver. This makes it the perfect daily driver for gearheads that are looking for the best of both worlds.
Is an Audi S3 expensive to run?
Running costs are reasonable, but what makes the Audi S3 really attractive financially is its reputation for slow depreciation. Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
2019 Audi S3 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Audi S3 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2019 Audi S3 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2019 Audi S3 complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2019 Audi S3.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-03-04
- VIN: WAUB1GFF4KA
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2019 Audi S3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the repair would take two days. The contact took the vehicle back to his residence as the dealer declined to provide him with a rental. The contact later contacted the dealer who informed him that the next service availability date was 03/23/3022. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-09-12
- VIN: WAUB1GFF4KA
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 AUDI S3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. AUDI ARLINGTON (3200 COLUMBIA PIKE, ARLINGTON, VA 22204, (703) 739-7460) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
2019 Audi S3 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2019 Audi S3.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
Negative 2019 Audi S3 car reviews
Positive 2019 Audi S3 car reviews
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I have the actual electronic track times for my S3: 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds and 1/4 mile in 12.9 seconds. While the S3 may not be a Bugatti Veyron 16.4, it is still a great value for the money. When launching, everyone does it a bit differently. Personally, I took it easy when I tested my S3 for the first time, as it only had 100 miles on it. I did not notice any turbo lag, which some have mentioned. The Mercedes CLA 45 AMG is also a great car, but it will cost you an extra 15Gs to beat the S3's times by only 0.3 seconds in the 0 to 60 and 1/4 mile. Both cars have a top speed of 155mph. It would be interesting to see them both on the track!
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I must say, I was really impressed with the entry level 2015 Audi A3 2.0T that I purchased. In fact, I was so impressed that I also bought a 2016 S3 and now I'm happy to have both in my driveway. The S3 is incredibly versatile, it's comfortable in stop and go traffic but with just the push of a button or two, it goes into beast mode and leaves a near permanent grin on your face. The 292 horsepower and 280 lb's of torque literally launches you down the road, but hopefully there's no police officer nearby with a radar gun! The S3 is pretty much set up for the track in factory form with two auxiliary radiators for the coolant and the Transmission oil cooler, huge 340 mm vented rotors and the rear vented brake rotors are also larger than the A3's. The adjustable magnetic ride suspension keeps it on the ground like it's on rails in dynamic mode, or switch to comfort for A3 like dampening for city driving. The 2.0T EA888 engine family is almost bullet proof and built for longevity. The only significant issue are the factory water pump/thermostat housing's that like to crack and leak. Most thermostat housing fail within warranty coverage but won't break the bank if you have to pay for the repair out of pocket. Just find a good local independent Audi/VW shop and you will generally get way better pricing compared to the dealer, and I know that from experience. Fuel economy is as advertised by Audi or a little better. I'm looking forward to putting lots of miles on my S3 and once it's paid off, I'll either purchase a Q7 or Q8. Go Audi!
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I really love this car! It's exactly what I wanted and I got everything I expected. If you need more space, you can always opt for a 4, 5, or 6 model. However, if you're looking for a small sedan with enough room for your passenger and their friend in the rear, the S3 is perfect. The trunk is spacious enough for groceries and other essentials. When people criticize the car for being small and having limited cargo space, they're just nitpicking. After all, nobody buys an S3 for trunk space or to haul a bunch of people. I bought this car because I love to drive, and it's pretty quick, handles very well, and is very light and responsive. The steering is precise, and the brakes are very effective. It's a quick car, and while it may not be the fastest car in the world, it's definitely one of the quickest in its class. The seats are comfortable, and the infotainment system is good. It may take some time to get used to, but once you do, it's very easy to use. I opted for the 19The 0litre 290+hp 4cyl engine is truly impressive and powerful. Even those who are not familiar with Audi's often mistake it for a 6cyl. Personally, I am considering upgrading to the 5cyl RS3, and I would happily choose a 2019 model over a 2021 model due to its styling. The only issues I have had with my car were maintenance-related, which were caused by the previous owner neglecting to perform any maintenance at all. After purchasing the car, I had to change the plugs and coilpacks, oil, trans fluid, O2 sensor, and replaced the Haldex pump and changed the fluid for it. Audi issued a service bulletin to address this, but it was ignored. It is important to check this because if the pump fails, your car will easily spin the front wheels under medium acceleration, and you may think it is a major issue because your AWD is acting like FWD. However, it is a $200 fix, and you can easily do it yourself. Although, it is recommended to have it done under warranty through Audi for free. Since catching up on the maintenance, the car runs great. I just need to walnut blast the intake valves and runners, as this is necessary for all direct injection engines between 30k-60k miles. Other than the maintenance that should have been done, I would have to say the car is solid and runs strong. It is comfortable when needed, and you can stiffen up the ride and have some fun on the back roads with confidence when you want, as the car feels so secure and planted at all times. I have never owned a car that felt so quick while also feeling so safe. It is a well-built car. As I said before, if you bought an S3 and expected rear legroom and the ability to haul a flat-screen TV in the trunk, that is your fault. This car was never meant for that. It was meant to be fun without the extra nonsense that other cars have. It is important to know what you want.
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It all starts under the hood! We have a heavily modified version of the A3's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, boasting an impressive 292 horsepower. That's an increase of 72 hp over the A3! This power is applied to all four wheels through a standard six-speed automated manual transmission. According to Audi, this is good enough to fire you off to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds!
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I traded my 2017 Mustang GT for a 2015 S3 with 34,000 miles, about 2 months ago. Let's start with the things I don't love about it: 1. I wish it had a 7th gear for cruising on the interstate. 2. There's almost no interior storage. 3. It only has 1 grocery hook, whereas my 2012 A4 had 24. Additionally, the back-up camera should have been standard or part of the $2,600 nav package. However, don't let those minor complaints deter you from this amazing car! Even though it's barely different from the A3, it turns a lot of heads. I cut off the resonator and now it's just enough noise to have fun with but still suitable for daily use. The handling is superb straight from the factory, and Audi quality speaks for itself. I love the understatedness of this car. I honestly can't say enough good things about it for $28,000. If you can find a used one with relatively low miles, jump on it!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2019 Audi S3 problems:
THE AUDI S3 (8V) BUYERS GUIDE | AVOID Buying until watching ...
Jan 31, 2022 ... Audi S3 8v common problems explained to make sure you get the best car possible with your hard earned money! Considering Subscribing?
2019 Audi s3 reliability? : r/Audi
Oct 14, 2022 ... An Audi can be as reliable as you want it to be. So long as you stay on top of regular maintenance, an S3 can run 80k+ without much issue.
Audi S3 Long Term Review & Issues - 30K Mile Update - YouTube
May 3, 2019 ... Be sure to check out my favorite detailing & tech products that I use on my Audi S3 and YouTube Channel.
8V Audi S3 reliability and common issues? : r/Audi
Nov 29, 2018 ... ... 2019. I personally like the G70 more on paper, especially because of the 3.3t engine and the fact that people have been getting them to ...
S3 8V common faults? | Audi-Sport.net
Jun 14, 2017 ... I'm looking at getting an 8V S3, more than likely a 5 door. Just wondering if there's any common problems / problems with certain options ...
Other years of Audi S3
Are you having problems with your 2019 Audi S3?
Alek Thiel 2024-04-16
I waited for the motor to be fully broken in before I measured its performance. After 18 months of ownership, I can honestly say that this S3 looks very nice, but it didn't have the acceleration or reliability I was hoping for. Additionally, the magnetic ride is a farce, and I get a banging noise on the rear passenger side strut, which bothers my passengers as well as me. The dealership says they don't hear anything, and this noise is normal, but other forum posters say it's not normal, as they are in the same predicament. Looks like I should have accepted the legal route after all. I think I'm going to have to look at a Lexus for my next purchase. Well, I've had the car for four years now, and after Audi fixed the rear shocks, the noise subsided. I'm happy to say that there have been no further problems. The mileage is about 27Mpg at 75MPH. It would be greater if it had an extra gear (which the 2018s and above have), but I didn't buy it for mileage. Still, it's a fast and fun car, and I can get another 75hp out of the motor with minimum modifications.