Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Registered new in Europe in 2021
3,203 new Audi S3 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2021; the largest markets were Germany (1,857), Poland (400), France (280).
- Average mass
- 1,577 kg
- Average CO₂
- 184 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 228 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 100%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Real-world fuel consumption
736 Audi S3 cars first registered in Europe in 2021 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Petrol versions use 9.9 l/100 km on the road against 8.0 in the WLTP test (+23%).
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 736 | 9.9 | 8.0 | +23% |
Litres per 100 km from the cars' own fuel meters (OBFCM), collected in 2024; the year is the year of first registration. All years together · European Environment Agency · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
263 first registered in 2021 are on Dutch roads; 92% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €77,301.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde35
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld24
- Band beschadigd18
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm16
- Band onvoldoende profiel13
- Bandenspanning op 1 as niet gelijk4
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage4
- Drager/bevestigingsmiddel van remvoering raakt trommel/schij2
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,452 cars built in 2021 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 18 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 140 of these cars first registered in 2021 took their annual MOT test. 94% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2021 the figure was 91%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 4.3% | 3.3% |
| Brakes | 0.7% | 1.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 0.7% | 2.9% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
25 of these cars first registered in 2021 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 48,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
24 2021 cars are on the New Zealand register; 33% arrived as used imports, 67% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2021 Audi S3.
| 2021486 4 Aug 2021 | Seats And Restraints Issue: On certain vehicles, the passenger seat belt assemblies may contain defective automatic locking retractors (ALR). As a result, the seat belts may not p… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Audi told its dealers about the 2021 Audi S3: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10253292 | This bulletin provides information for when there is noise when steering. |
| 10251661 | This bulletin provides information when there is a warning for the 3rd brake light; DTC B12C615. |
| 10251657 | This bulletin provides information on visual concerns with the headlight lens. |
| 10251023 | Steering wheel shimmy, vibration and/or oscillation |
| 10250322 | This bulletin provides information pertaining to MMI Navigation database concerns. |
| 10249151 | This bulletin provides information for when DTC C101AF1, C101BF1, C101CF1, C101DF1 are stored in the ABS control unit with the message "magnetic field too low". |
| 10249054 | Due to new Minnesota state regulations regarding biofuels, biodiesel blends of B5 or less may not be available in the State of Minnesota. |
| 10243938 | This bulletin provides details on the VIN-4-PIN program. |
| 10243930 | This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries. |
| 10242930 | This bulletin provides information for when DTC P0A7D00 is stored. |
| 10239678 | This bulletin provides information for a loose engine oil filler cap is loose, DTCs P06800, P227900, P050700. |
| 10238314 | This bulletin provides information for when a cracking noise is heard from the front end when changing direction. |
| 10236628 | This bulletin provides information for when the starter battery is discharged, and the vehicle cannot be started due to the front adjustment seat switch becoming jammed. |
| 10236377 | This bulletin provides instructions for instances where squeaking or creaking noises are heard when the vehicle is driven on uneven roads. |
| 10236372 | Noise from front door trim panel while driving Noise from front door trim panel while driving Low coolant warning in cluster, coolant level is correct Check engine lamp is illuminated and DTC P05A000: Active Grille Air Shutter "A" Stuck is stored in the ECM. Check engine lamp is on, DTC (s) P010600, P023600, P023700, P023800 Belt noise from starter generator Leak from oil pan USB Trim detached from center console Airbag light on: DTC B100A1B or B100B1B 3.0L engine water pump leaking 3.0L engine sound generator malfunctioning |
| 10235122 | This bulletin provides information related to maintaining the 12V Lead-acid or AGM battery when a vehicle is parked for a prolonged period of time. |
| 10234547 | This bulletin provides repair instructions for instances where creaking/squeaking noises are heard from the left front or right front area of the vehicle when being driven on uneven roads. |
| 10233636 | This bulletin provides information for when the virtual cockpit is distorted due a broken screen caused by outside influence. |
| 10230850 | Support for Customers Affected by Alternator Back-order |
| 10228815 | Support for Customers Affected by Alternator Back-order |
| 10228803 | SAFETY RECALLS, COMPLIANCE RECALLS and STOP SALES |
| 10227012 | This bulletin states that due to a software malfunction in Apple iOS Version 16.0.x there are restrictions with bluetooth connection. |
| 10218600 | This bulletin contains information for diagnosing the Start/Stop system. |
| 10216047 | This bulletin provides instructions for repairing a vehicle with a washer solvent light on but the level is correct. |
| 10216043 | This bulletin advises that the window washer pump may become blocked due to frozen washer fluid; one more more DTCs may be present: DTCs B126101, B126111, or B126113. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)