2018 Audi A3: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
33 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
23,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 33 complaints (51.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 15.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 12.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 17 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
Air Bags: 17; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Electrical System: 4; Engine: 4; Power Train: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Seats: 2; Tires: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2020: 1; 2021: 13; 2022: 6; 2023: 4; 2024: 3; 2025: 5; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11317829 · 2020-03-13 (March 13, 2020)
SAFETY RECALL 69Z4 PASSENGER OCCUPANT SECTION SYSTEM (PODS) FOR AUDI A3S. I RECEIVED NOTICE OF THIS RECALL FROM AUDI IN AUGUST 2019 AND AT THE TIME THERE WAS NO REPAIR AVAILABLE. I WAS RECEIVING THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND AUDIO WARNING SIGNALS INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THE RECALL REPAIR BECAME AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER AND I HAD THE RECALL COMPLETED IN LATE SEPTEMBER 2019 AT THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM BRAND NEW. IN OCTOBER OF 2019 THE SAFETY WARNINGS AND AUDIO WARNINGS ABOUT MY SAFETY SYSTEMS AND MY AIR …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11317829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11396648 · 2021-02-17 (February 17, 2021)
ON INITIAL START, OCCASIONALLY THE CAR WILL BECOME INACTIVE WHILE DRIVING (SOMETIMES STALLS/SPUTTERS & SOMETIMES JUST DOESN'T ADVANCE EVEN WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL). OFTEN THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY RESPONDS WITHIN SECONDS IF IT HAS NOT STALLED, BUT RECENTLY NOW IT STALLS AND SPUTTERS, THEN NEEDS TO BE RESTARTED. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT INTO TRAFFIC WITH SAFE DISTANCE, WHEN THE CAR BECAME "DORMANT" AND STALLED. LUCKILY, THERE WAS A CENTER LANE THAT I COULD COAST INTO TO AVOID CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE,…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11396648 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11414080 · 2021-04-27 (April 27, 2021)
AUDI IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE PODS RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER MAKING MY AUDI A3 UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11414080 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11414765 · 2021-05-01 (May 1, 2021)
I'VE BEEN WAITING SINCE MARCH FOR AUDI NJ TO REPAIR MY AIRBAG (PODS) AND IT'S ALREADY MAY 1ST THIS IS ABSURD AND COMPLETELY ON THE HANDS OF AUDI AND AUDI ONLY. I DON'T WANT TO RISK HAVING ANYONE IN MY PASSENGER SEAT AND GOD FORBID GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND IT WOULD BE ON MY HANDS. AUDI HAS TO STEP IT UP BECAUSE I'M MORE THAN SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WAITING FOR THIS TO BE AVAILABLE TO SERVICE OUR CARS.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,280 miles reported. Look up ODI 11414765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423516 · 2021-07-06 (July 6, 2021)
Audi has not come up with a repair for the PODS recall. This is the second time they have needed to repair the PODS system. Users could run into an issue where if an accident were to occur with a passenger the airbag may not deploy. NO TIME FRAME GIVEN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426592 · 2021-07-27 (July 27, 2021)
During a trip the tire blew and separated at the sidewall. The vehicles tire pressure was correct and only had approximately 30,000 miles. The tires are the manufacturer installed Continental ProContact 225/40R18.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429357 · 2021-08-16 (August 16, 2021)
There are six recall warnings associated with this car and tons of information that I am not including as I am sure you have all of the documentation. I am adding my vin # above to the complaints. I would like to know what VW corp is doing about this. Thank you very much for keeping us safe on the road best, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429405 · 2021-08-17 (August 17, 2021)
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2018 Audi A3. The contact received notification for NHTSA Recall Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage w…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11429405 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V198000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | Air Bags:On-Off Switch Assembly
Reported: 2021-03-22 (March 22, 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 (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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V110000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Reported: 2024-02-14 (February 14, 2024)
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.
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 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗