2018 Audi S3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (2) · Visibility/Wiper (1) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger 2021-03-22 · campaign 21V198000 · 153,152 vehicles
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.
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.
Service bulletins (655)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-22 · TSB_2020552_15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
Structure:body 2026-09-18 · TSB_2078648_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · TSB_2030471_9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Showing the 6 most recent of 655 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-10-25 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 u…”
2022-06-08 · Power Train“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 w…”
2022-06-07 · Air Bags“audi will not fix the problem. …”
2019-01-09 · Visibility/Wiper · 2,000 mi“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) so…”
2018-12-27 · Power Train · 10,500 mi“car doesn't engage gear or "jumps" when reverse (r) is selected.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.