2018 Audi A3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other A3 years
- More complaints than other years 11th of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Audi A3. That ranks 11th out of 23 A3 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (17 complaints, 52%), typically at around 16,500 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 2 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
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- 33owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2018 Audi A3 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 17 | 52% | 16,500 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 15% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 4 | 12% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 4 | 12% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 4 | 12% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 12% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2018 Audi A3 recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger; air bags:on-off switch assembly
Problem: 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.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647) (RQ23007) — opened Dec 12, 2023, closed Jul 1, 2024, led to recall 24V110.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Coolant Water Pump and Thermostat -- Coolant temperature indicator gauge runs from normal to high after about 10-15 miles drive. Coolant levels are good and no signs of leak. Engine light is activated along with warning messages. Engine Warning: Drive System Malfunction. Please call for service…
225/45-R18 DOT(17/22) On September 6, 2025, I purchased a 2018 Audi A3 (VIN [VIN], 56,634 miles) delivered by Carvana. Within days, I had the vehicle inspected at multiple independent repair shops. Each shop documented that all four tires showed dry rot and cracking and advised immediate…
Hello, I dropped my car off at Audi and Dominion in San Antonio Texas on Thursday July 10th for a repair this was a recall for the fuel pump system in something in the mechatronic controls. They had my car until Saturday I was informed that the repairs were done under warranty. Then on Saturday…
Audi had a recall on my 2018 A3 for a Passenger Occupant Detection System. in July 2023, Audi replaced the PODS Sensor mat. Recently, the same car has encountered the same issue. The PODS light indicates the airbag is off even if a passenger is sitting in the seat. There has been not repair work…
My 2018 Audi A3 began having fuel-related issues after receiving the recall service for campaign 20YF (Suction Jet Pump Seal) at an authorized Audi dealership. I first took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, because the check engine light came on, and there was a strong fuel smell. Most…
Other Audi A3 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 A3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 A3 | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 A3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 A3 | 7 | 2 |
| 2022 A3 | 9 | 6 |
| 2020 A3 | 16 | 3 |
| 2019 A3 | 10 | 3 |
| 2018 | 33 | 2 |
| 2017 A3 | 44 | 2 |
| 2016 A3 | 83 | 3 |
| 2015 A3 | 93 | 2 |
| 2013 A3 | 20 | 3 |
| 2012 A3 | 43 | 4 |
| 2011 A3 | 43 | 4 |
| 2010 A3 | 50 | 5 |
| 2009 A3 | 47 | 5 |
| 2008 A3 | 43 | 3 |
| 2007 A3 | 52 | 3 |
| 2006 A3 | 123 | 4 |
| 2005 A3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2004 A3 | 6 | 0 |
| 2003 A3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2001 A3 | 1 | 0 |
See all Audi A3 problems by year, every Audi model, or the Audi VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi A3?
Owners most often report air bags, fuel/propulsion system, electrical system problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 17 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Audi A3?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2018 Audi A3 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other A3 model years, the 2018 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.