2018 AUDI A3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

5/5

★★★★★

Safety Rating

46

Owner Complaints

1 Crash

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

24

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2018 AUDI A3

The 2018 AUDI A3 has received a total of 46 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY. 24 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (17 complaints), Fuelpropulsion System (5 complaints), and Electrical System (4 complaints).

Recalls for the 2018 AUDI A3

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2018 AUDI A3, potentially affecting up to 567,561 vehicles.

Recall 24V110000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

| 261,257 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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...

View full details →

Recall 21V198000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

| 153,152 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

View full details →

Recall 21V198000 — AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY

| 153,152 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 2018 AUDI A3

46 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 AUDI A3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11688724 | TIRES | | N/A miles
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 replacement due to risk of tire failure. On September 10, 2025, I contacted Carvana and followed their warranty claim process. After escalation, on September 18, 2025, I was informed that Carvana determined “the tires are not bad enough” and denied replacement. The vehicle was delivered with unsafe tires that pose a serious risk of blowout or loss of vehicle control, endangering both the driver and others on the road. DOT date codes and photos of the cracks confirm the condition of the tires at the time of delivery. This complaint is being filed so NHTSA is aware of the issue and to request investigation into Carvana’s sale of vehicles with dry-rotted, unsafe tires.
#11675534 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
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 July 19th as I began to drive the vehicle a alert for my transmission malfunction appeared on my dashboard and I Lost first gear. I had my car taken to Audi on Dominion where I was informed by several service staff that this is a common malfunction after the last software update that was done the week prior and that it could take up to 48 hours to do the repair and recall warranty work on my vehicle. Audi on Dominion has had my vehicle for 5 days and has not given me an answer as to know whether or not the repairs will be approved as this is covered under my extended warranty. My car was working perfectly fine until I was forced to take it in for this recall of which Audi has failed to provide a loaner vehicle or give accurate information as to whether or not the repairs will be covered. I have been informed that I will be responsible for the cost of the repairs. These repairs are only brought upon due to Audis forcing me to bring the car in for the recall repair as it would have voided out the rest of my vehicles warranty. As of today I am still without a vehicle and without an answer from Audi. I have tried reaching out to Audi of America without any response.
#11675534 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | N/A miles
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 July 19th as I began to drive the vehicle a alert for my transmission malfunction appeared on my dashboard and I Lost first gear. I had my car taken to Audi on Dominion where I was informed by several service staff that this is a common malfunction after the last software update that was done the week prior and that it could take up to 48 hours to do the repair and recall warranty work on my vehicle. Audi on Dominion has had my vehicle for 5 days and has not given me an answer as to know whether or not the repairs will be approved as this is covered under my extended warranty. My car was working perfectly fine until I was forced to take it in for this recall of which Audi has failed to provide a loaner vehicle or give accurate information as to whether or not the repairs will be covered. I have been informed that I will be responsible for the cost of the repairs. These repairs are only brought upon due to Audis forcing me to bring the car in for the recall repair as it would have voided out the rest of my vehicles warranty. As of today I am still without a vehicle and without an answer from Audi. I have tried reaching out to Audi of America without any response.
#11668621 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
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 since July 2023, that would impact the PODS. And the warning lights reappeared after a period of normalcy. I feel this is an incomplete recall remedy and Audi is now wanting to charge me for the repair
#11668621 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
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 since July 2023, that would impact the PODS. And the warning lights reappeared after a period of normalcy. I feel this is an incomplete recall remedy and Audi is now wanting to charge me for the repair

View all Air Bags complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2018 AUDI A3

The 2018 AUDI A3 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Test Category Rating
Overall Rating ★★★★★ (5/5)
Frontal Crash ★★★★ (4/5)
Side Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Rollover ★★★★ (4/5)

Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2018 AUDI A3

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 24 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2018 AUDI A3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

TSB_2077475_1 — POWER TRAIN

This TSB provides information when the earbox warning light is on; event memory entry P0174A00/P174E00.

TSB_2050723_7 — POWER TRAIN

This bulletin provides information when there is a gearbox malfunction warning; DTC P0C2900 in the TCM.

A3524482050723_5 — STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

This bulletin provides information when there is a Gearbox Malfunction Warning, DTC P0C2900 in the TCM.

Dealer 34L4 Rev2 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Transmission Control Module (TCM) Software - Updated parts and claiming information

Circ34L4_REV1 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Transmission Control Module (TCM) Software - Updated repair steps after software update is completed. Added example photos of transmission damage.

A3523462050723_4 — POWER TRAIN

This bulletin provides information for when there is a Gearbox Malfunction warning stored in the TCM; DTCs P176F00, P176E00, P175E00, P175D00, P189900, P060700, P081000.

A3523432050723_3 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

This bulletin provides information for when Gearbox Malfunction Warning, DTC P0C2900, P176F00, P176E00 or P175E00 stored in the TCM.

A4022432061464_3 — STRUCTURE

This bulletin addresses a cracking noise from the front end when changing direction.

AWA 22-06 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

This Document informs dealers on the new Mechatronic warranty extension for 2017-2018 A3 & A3 Cabriolet vehicles

A4822322063526_2 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

This bulletin contains instructions for when DTC B116831 is stored in the ABS module with several warning lamps.

Showing 10 of 24 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2018 AUDI A3

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the AUDI A3

View all AUDI A3 model years →

Other AUDI Models

View all AUDI models →

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report