2019 Audi Rs 3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (1) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1) · Engine (1)
Safety recalls (2)
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.
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification 2019-06-19 · campaign 19V474000 · 138,896 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (592)
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.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · TSB_2068573_6 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.
Showing the 6 most recent of 592 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-09-03 · Engine“the water pump has failed twice in under 46,000 miles, first was at 3000 miles 2nd was at 46000 miles…”
2025-03-26 · Unknown Or Other“i first began noticing symptoms of a cooling system issue on may 23, 2024, including engine temperature fluctuations and loss of coolant, on my 2019 audi rs3. over time, the issue worsened, eventually requiring a full replacement of both the water pump and thermostat on january 10, 2025, at 53,981 miles. this resulted in a total out-of-pocket repa…”
2024-10-16 · Fuel/Propulsion System“[xxx] unable to fill the vehicle with fuel normally, with the nozzle clicking off repeatedly, required trickle of fuel to partially fill tank. same day system failure under normal driving conditions with fuel leak spraying fuel from the gas tank and overflowing under excessive pressure creating serious risk of injury or death due to fire or explo…”
2021-11-19 · Air Bags“my vehicle has the audi recall 69by that came out on march 22, 2021. there is currently still no remedy and its november 19th, 2021. its been nearly 8 months. the pre-sense warning light and the airbag light are glaring on the dash at all times. nobody can sit in the passenger seat as the airbag would not deploy in the event of a crash. i have to…”
2021-03-09 · Power Train · 5 mi“my car keeps throwing drive errors, system malfunctions, and throws no trouble codes? i brought this to the attention of audi, and got no answer. can you investigate a hacked tcu/ecu? i don't have the gear.*dt consumer stated electronic oil sensor might have never worked. dipstick was low, the only light is drive train malfunction light.*jb…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.