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2020 Audi S3

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 S3.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S7)

The 2020 Audi S3 runs a 7-speed AM-S7 automatic transmission and requires 6.0 quarts of 0W-30 engine oil, with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Across the 2015–2024 model span, this year stands at the low point with exactly one owner complaint—filed under "Unknown Or Other"—and one recall. That makes it the lowest-complaint year in the dataset. For researchers, that standing frames the 2020 S3 as the cleanest reliability reference in the model’s recorded history.

Model year202620252024202320222020

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/28/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 06L115562B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP225/40R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rimNS inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06L115562B
Engine air filter5Q0129620B
Spark plug06K905601L
Battery000915089E alt 000915089BC
Front wiper blades8V1998002A
Cabin air filter5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.4 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height55.1 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3505 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 28 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume86 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the S3 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.4–4.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.40 sec — 2016 Premium Plus Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Prestige Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-44.60 sec13.30 sec292 hpAWD
2016Premium Plus Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-44.40 sec13.00 sec292 hpAWD
20152.0T Premium Plus Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-44.40 sec12.90 sec292 hpAWD
20152.0T Prestige Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-44.70 sec13.40 sec292 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 0W-30 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil0W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
145.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°45 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 40,000 mi.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire Repair Kit Sealant (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBody Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 40,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 80,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record indicates a sharp downward trend in consumer complaints for this generation, dropping from 52 in 2015 to just 1 in the 2020 model year. While Technical Service Bulletins remained consistently high between 595 and 667 from 2015 through 2020, the 2020 S3 specifically logged only one complaint categorized as "Unknown Or Other," with zero crash or fire reports. This places the 2020 model at the tail end of a stabilizing arc, immediately preceding the 2021 model year which recorded zero complaints. Although one investigation is listed for this year, the recall count holds steady at one, matching the low-volume years of 2018 and 2019. The data indicates that reported problems diminished significantly as the generation matured toward the 2021 model year. Consequently, the 2020 Audi S3 represents a lower-risk option within this generation based on its minimal reported federal complaints.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
607
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’24

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V198000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front PassengerReported 22/03/2021

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 607 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_2074640_32026-06-26EngineThis bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2074729_32026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2059335_72026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…
TSB_2064983_152026-06-22Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when there are pixel faults on the virtual cockpit.
TSB_2082323_12026-06-10EngineThis bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific S3. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 6.0 qtEngine oil filter 06L115562BEngine air filter 5Q0129620BSpark plug 06K905601LBattery 000915089E

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2020 S3 take?

6.0 qt of 0W-30 VW 504 00 Audi High Performance Genuine Engine Oil., per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 S3 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the S3 get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.