2018 AUDI S3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
7
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
20
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2018 AUDI S3
The 2018 AUDI S3 has received a total of 7 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 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY. 20 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuelpropulsion System (2 complaints), Power Train (2 complaints), and Air Bags (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2018 AUDI S3
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2018 AUDI S3, potentially affecting up to 306,304 vehicles.
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 S3
7 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 AUDI S3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Having the same issue as the NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report, 24V-110. And, similar to NHTSA 16V647 associated with the Audi Safety Recall 20Y5 - Suction Pump. Apparently there is no recall for my S3, only the A3. Dealer has determined the suction pump and gas tank are faulty. (Inherit defect by manufacture?). Audi is not acknowledging any upcoming recall but may try to help through their assistance program.
The car was put in Drive "D". As I roll out into traffic and start to accelerate, the car "bang" out of gear like it's in neutral, the revs climb, but the car doesn't accelerate and the "D" display disappeared from the instrument panel. The gear selector display on the instrument panel is now blank (instead of "D" if it was in gear or "N" if it was out of gear). I have to pull to the side of the road and stop and the "D" reappeared and then all seems to be fine again. This has happened twice in the last two months. I had a local mechanic scan the vehicle for transmission fault, but found nothing was stored.
A) AUDI OF CENTRAL HOUSTON SOLD US 2018 S3 ON AUG13, 2018 WITH: 1) DELAMINATING WINDSHIELD CREATING A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD 2) DEFECTIVE WIPER FUNCTION NB: WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACEMENT ON DEC 31, 2019 WHEN WE HAD ACTUALLY REQUESTED REPLACEMENT OF THE VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER BRAND NEW VEHICLE B) AUDI OF NORTH AMERICA (THROUGH ITS DEALER) HAS: 1) SOLD US A BRAND NEW CAR WITH FIRE HAZARD IN ITS FUEL LINES ON AUG 13, 2018 2) FAILED TO NOTIFY US TO DATE (JAN 09, 2019) REGARDING RECALL CODE 20BK DEALING WITH FAULTY FUEL LINES
A) AUDI OF CENTRAL HOUSTON SOLD US 2018 S3 ON AUG13, 2018 WITH: 1) DELAMINATING WINDSHIELD CREATING A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD 2) DEFECTIVE WIPER FUNCTION NB: WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACEMENT ON DEC 31, 2019 WHEN WE HAD ACTUALLY REQUESTED REPLACEMENT OF THE VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER BRAND NEW VEHICLE B) AUDI OF NORTH AMERICA (THROUGH ITS DEALER) HAS: 1) SOLD US A BRAND NEW CAR WITH FIRE HAZARD IN ITS FUEL LINES ON AUG 13, 2018 2) FAILED TO NOTIFY US TO DATE (JAN 09, 2019) REGARDING RECALL CODE 20BK DEALING WITH FAULTY FUEL LINES
Safety Rating for the 2018 AUDI S3
The 2018 AUDI S3 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 S3
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 20 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2018 AUDI S3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
A3524512050723_6 — POWER TRAIN
This bulletin provides information when there is a gearbox malfunction warning; DTC P0C2900 in the TCM.
A3524482050723_5 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This bulletin provides information when there is a Gearbox Malfunction Warning, DTC P0C2900 in the TCM.
Circular34L4Rev2 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Transmission Control Module (TCM) Software - Updated parts and claiming information
Dealer34L4_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.
AWA 23-08 — EQUIPMENT
This Document informs dealers on the Auxiliary Hydraulic Pump Limited Warranty Extension
Circular 34L4 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Audi is providing updated transmission control module (TCM) software to enhance an in-vehicle alert should a problem arise within the auxiliary hydraulic pump. Additionally, if a specific fault is found after the software is updated, a repair will be made to the transmission.
Circular 34L4 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Audi is providing updated transmission control module (TCM) software to enhance an in-vehicle alert should a problem arise within the auxiliary hydraulic pump. Additionally, if a specific fault is found after the software is updated, a repair will be made to the transmission.
Dealer 34L4 — POWER TRAIN
Dealer Letter to announce Repair Available - Service Action 34L4 / TCM Software
A3723082060146_3 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This bulletin contains a software update that addresses a brief but sudden increase in engine speed without DTCs or leaks.
A3422572066784_1 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This bulletin advises to install a damper weight on the shaft of the front driver's side axle to address a concern of a whining/howling noise that may be heard in the engine compartment.
Showing 10 of 20 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2018 AUDI S3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the AUDI S3
- 2015 AUDI S3 — 69 complaints
- 2016 AUDI S3 — 21 complaints
- 2017 AUDI S3 — 10 complaints
- 2018 AUDI S3 (current)
- 2019 AUDI S3 — 2 complaints
- 2020 AUDI S3 — 1 complaint
- 2021 AUDI S3 — 0 complaints
- 2022 AUDI S3 — 5 complaints
- 2023 AUDI S3 — 0 complaints