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2018 Audi RS 3 recalls & problems

The 2018 Audi RS 3 has 4 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (5 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints13filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsMar 22, 2021

Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

Recall 21V198000153,152 vehicles

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.

Components: Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger; Air bags › On-off switch assembly

Air bagsJun 19, 2019

Sensor › Occupant classification

Recall 19V474000138,896 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
Risk
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.
SeatsFeb 13, 2019

Mid/rear assembly

Recall 19V0950003,326 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A3 sedan and RS3 vehicles. The latching pins for the center rear seat head restraint may be missing.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the head restraint may detach and cause injury to the vehicle occupants.
Fix
Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, replacing any that are missing pins, free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72I8.
SeatsNov 14, 2018

Mid/rear assembly

Recall 18V803000169 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.
Risk
If the guide sleeves are incorrectly welded, in the event of a crash, the rear seat head restraints may have reduced stability, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. 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 72H8 (VW) and 72H9(Audi).

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2018 Audi RS3 4 DR AWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.9%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

RS 3

22mpg combined
City / highway19 / 28 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic (AM-S7) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Air bags5000—
Fuel/propulsion system4000—
Engine2000—
Lane departureBlind spot detection2000—
Electrical system2000—
Forward collision avoidanceAutomatic emergency braking; Warnings2000—
Unknown or other2000—
Seats1000—
Power train1000—
Vehicle speed control1000—
Back over preventionWarnings1000—
Seat belts1000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations