2020 Audi S3 problems

General information about Audi-S3
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list
Negative car reviews
Positive car reviews

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 2020 Audi S3 problems

The Audi S3 2020 is a high-performance compact sedan known for its powerful engine, luxurious interior, and advanced technology features. However, like any vehicle, it is not immune to certain issues and problems that have been reported by some owners. Here are some of the common problems with the Audi S3 2020 based on complaints from owners:

Engine hesitation at high revs: Some Audi S3 2020 owners have reported engine hesitation at high revs, which can be caused by faulty coil packs, spark plugs, or injectors. It is recommended to check these components and replace them if necessary. If the coil packs are fine, then the spark plugs and injectors should be inspected and replaced as necessary.

Window malfunction: The windows of the Audi S3 2020 can have issues with the plastic clips that run up and down on the window regulator, which can break easily. Replacing the plastic clips with metal ones can solve the problem. It is also recommended to check the engine oil breather valve, which can stick and cause misfiring and boost issues. Changing the cam cover every 10,000 miles can prevent this problem .

Fuel cuts and loss of power: Some Audi S3 2020 owners have reported that the fuel keeps cutting out, causing a sudden loss of power. This problem can be caused by a worn-out fuel pump cam follower, which can damage the camshaft if not replaced. Replacing the fuel pump cam follower is a simple and easy solution to this problem.

Excessive steering wheel vibration: Some Audi S3 2020 owners have reported excessive steering wheel vibration, which can be caused by a worn-out top strut bearing. Replacing the top strut bearing is a simple and easy solution to this problem.

Transmission issues: Some Audi S3 2020 owners have reported transmission issues, such as rough downshifts, coolant leaks at the thermostat housing, and reverse not engaging. These issues can be caused by worn-out clutch plates, damaged seals, or faulty solenoids. It is recommended to check these components and replace them if necessary.

Start-stop technology issues: Some Audi S3 2020 owners have reported issues with the start-stop technology, which can shut off the engine at dangerous times and cause the accelerator to malfunction. This problem can be caused by a design defect in the start-stop system, which allows vehicles to roll away. It is recommended to seek legal advice if this problem occurs.

Airbag issues: Some Audi S3 2020 owners have reported airbag issues, which can deploy incorrectly during low-speed crashes. This problem can be caused by a software bug and can be solved by updating the software. It is recommended to check the airbag system and update the software if necessary.

In summary, the Audi S3 2020 is a high-performance compact sedan with some common problems related to the water pump, engine hesitation, window malfunction, fuel cuts, excessive steering wheel vibration, transmission issues, start-stop technology, and airbag issues. It is essential to address these problems promptly to ensure the safety and reliability 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.

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 problem with Audi A3?

Audi A3 owners have encountered issues with the air conditioning and heating systems, such as inadequate cooling or heating, strange odors and noisy operation. These problems may result from faulty compressor units, refrigerant leaks or sensor failures.

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?

Is an Audi S3 a good daily?

What year Audi A3 is most reliable 2020?

Most Reliable Years For The Audi A3

Here are the best years so far for the Audi A3: 2013 Audi A3. 2019 Audi A3. 2020 Audi A3.

2020 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:

Unknown or other problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2020 Audi S3 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2020 Audi S3 complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2020 Audi S3.

2021-06-23

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2021-06-22
VIN: WAUE1GFFXLA
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: 1) Sunroof exploded while merging onto highway from a rest stop (I believe I was still on the on ramp at the time) - Vehicle in the process of being fixed so probably not available for inspection but the collision shop has pictures 2) Fortunate I didn't freak out and was able to process the situation and not get into a collision. 3) not sure 4) The collision shop is inspecting the sun roof, but probably just to figure out what needs to be fixed. 5) Nope, just an explosion. Luckily I had the Sun curtain closed so none of the glass rained down on me.

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2020 Audi S3 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2020 Audi S3.

2021-03-22

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.

Positive 2020 Audi S3 car reviews

Seth Kiehn 2025-01-05

I'm really enjoying this car! I didn't expect to like it as much as I do, especially coming from driving a 2012 E93 BMW M3 convertible, which was an excellent car in its own right. I expected to enjoy the S3 after test driving it, but I never imagined that I would like driving it more than the M3. The M3 felt powerful and fast, while the S3 feels quick and nimble. It's difficult to explain, but for me, driving the S3 is more relaxing and controlled at the same time. The S3's steering and brakes are excellent, and I like the power delivery better than the M3's. In S mode, there's no turbo/transmission lag, and D mode is perfect for everyday driving. The Magnetic/Active damping makes the car more comfortable, and it's stiff, but not nearly as harsh as the M3 was. One thing I'm having a slight trouble with is the Bluetooth connection. I'm using it with my Nexus 6P, and streaming music gets muted very shortly after the car starts and Bluetooth gets connected. The music is still streamed, but sound is not coming through the car or the phone. I need to turn off Bluetooth on my phone and turn it back on to fix it. After that, all is well. Also, if I use Waze and Audible through Bluetooth, Waze interrupts the audiobook, but there is no sound coming from Waze, so I know that it was trying to tell me something, but not what it was trying to say.
Fredrick Goldner 2024-09-27

The car is easy to drive and own. With nearly 90k miles on mine, I have very few complaints. Even with all the modifications I've made, the base car still has all the goodness, and the A3 Quattro with the s-line package is just as good. It would be great if it was available with a manual transmission and without a sunroof that impinges for tall occupants. The car is fast, handles well, and looks good. Even the stock brakes perform surprisingly well on the race track. However, it is disappointing that there is no homelink in a car this expensive. Additionally, there is some kind of annoying suspension rattle in the front that is common and hard to pin down. It doesn't affect driving but can be annoying. The common vent director motor failure is also a minor issue to replace but can be annoying (center vents stopped working). As a racer, and despite many mods, the handling is resolutely understeer at the limit unless you suddenly lift off. It's not slow, but there isn't a lot of joy at the race track unless you do minor mods and go drag racing instead of road racing, in which case it's an easy 11-second car.
Martin Padberg 2024-09-24

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 didn't 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 both 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!
Ron Kassulke 2024-09-01

Buying this vehicle was a bit of a challenge for me as I already had two cars, an older BMW M3 which I used as a 'summer toy' and a daily driver sedan for winter and family trips. However, I needed a car that could be used all year round and could fit my young boys in the back seat if needed. I am a big driving enthusiast and this car is really great. I compared it to Audi's S4, Mercedes C450/C43, BMW 340i, and a few others, but this little machine spoke to me. It is a very nimble and well-balanced car with plenty of power. The car has all the options I wanted, except for the RS seats which are not power-operated, and I like that I got a loaded one. The 'standard' seats are great, supportive but not rock hard like my old M3. The powertrain, brakes, magnetic dampers, dual-clutch transmission, selectable driving profiles, advanced safety/technology features really make this car a blast to drive. The LED headlights are amazing, really impressed. Adaptive cruise control is awesome, highly recommend that option (part of the tech package). The infotainment system is not bad but there are better systems out there, however, the Bang & Olafsen stereo sounds fantastic. If you are a large person or have teenagers, need a large trunk, this car may not be for you. I'm 5'10' with an average build and fit great. The fuel economy isn't great for a 2.0L turbo 4 cylinder, but I didn't buy it to save on gas. I was a bit disappointed that a car with an MSRP of $52k did not include memory seats, homelink buttons, but I think I'll live. Some people report that they do not have a USB port, but my car does have one. This is a sweet little car, and I was fortunate to find a CPO one with every bell and whistle I wanted that was clearly loved by its previous owner.I'm excited about the many fun years ahead with this little rocket!
Isaiah Harber 2024-08-24

This is a high-quality German-engineered rocketship that some people may mistake for a small, sexy sedan. It's more powerful and fun to drive than my 2001 911. It can also be driven conservatively. I would definitely buy this car again and again.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2020 Audi S3 problems:

THE AUDI S3 (8V) BUYERS GUIDE | AVOID Buying until watching ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VUyg0D6fvM

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?

8V Audi S3 reliability and common issues? : r/Audi

https://www.reddit.com/r/Audi/comments/a1hq0i/8v_audi_s3_reliability_and_common_issues/

Nov 29, 2018 ... Are there any reliability issues either electrical or mechanical for the 8V S3? Is the sport package/magnetic ride worth it? I'm definitely ...