Menu

2018 Audi S3Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints about the 2018 Audi S3, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 21V-198 the manufacturer reports only 67% of affected cars repaired.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 67%Owner complaints50 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage2kFuel/propulsion system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 25, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2018 Audi S3 has problems

5 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel/propulsion system20
Power train20
Air bags10
Visibility/wiper10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2018 Audi S3 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

67%repaired · 2024 Q2

Air bags: on-off switch assembly

Recall 21V-198 · Mar 22, 2021 · 153,152 vehicles · 102,216 repaired

Risk. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.

Best & worst years

2018 vs. every other S3 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S3 median. How we score

'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2018 Audi S3 safety ratings

2018 Audi S3 4 DR AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
  • Rollover: 4 stars (10.9% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Standard
  • Lane departure warning: Optional
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2018 Audi S3, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)RQ23007 · closed Jul 1, 2024
    Led to recall 24V-110
In owners' words

What S3 owners report

Recent fuel/propulsion system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11622004 · Oct 25, 2024
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…
Complaint 11166151 · Jan 9, 2019 · 2,000 miles

Own a 2018 S3?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.