2018 Audi A3 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 12%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Audi A3, 12% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11396648, filed 2021-02, 40,000 miles“Audi had a recall on my 2018 A3 for a Passenger Occupant Detection System. in July 2023, Audi replaced the PODS Sensor mat. Recently, the same car has encountered the same issue. The PODS light indicates the airbag is off even if a passenger is sitting in the seat. There has been not repair work since July 2023, that would impact the PODS. And the warning lights reappeared after a period of normalcy. I feel this is an incomplete recall remedy and Audi is now wanting to charge me for the repair”
NHTSA complaint #11668621, filed 2025-06“appointment Aug2022 to take car for recall work of the PODS sensor mat & to update the PODS control module but was told the part was out of stock due to logistics. Why they scheduled appointment without confirming the part was in stock. I was then told before I left that there was a couple hundred cars needing this recall and that there would be a waiting list for recall work and that I would get a call to be put on a waiting list, never received a call. Then 6 months later in Feb 2023, I received another letter from Audi informing me again of the recall 69BY & a new recall item 24Wi. …”
NHTSA complaint #11539014, filed 2023-08“The vehicle pre-sense stopped the vehicle due to the detection of an object however, there was no object. This happened going forward and in reverse multiple times, causing the car to come to a sudden, abrupt stop even at speeds in excess of 30mph. This resulting in my teen daughter having bruising from the seat belt. The car was taken to the dealership and the dealership recalibrated the control unit. The vehicle continues to unnecessarily activate pre-sense when in reverse, and causes the car to come to an abrupt halt despite there being no object. The system may be responding to shadows. …”
NHTSA complaint #11582606, filed 2024-04Related service bulletins
- 11035810Jul 9, 2026This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.
- 11034643Jun 23, 2026This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.
- 11034634Jun 23, 2026This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.
- 11033492May 22, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
- 11032165Apr 30, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
- 11031053Mar 26, 2026This bulletin provides informaiton regarding the Universal Traffic Recorder.
- 11031051Mar 20, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn about various infortainment system complaints.
- 11030985Mar 17, 2026This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance gives false warnings.
- 11031040Mar 4, 2026This bulletin provides informaito when Apple CarPlay/Android Auto does not react to touch inputs.
- 11030984Mar 2, 2026This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance gives false warnings.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 20% |
| 2023 | 4 | 57% |
| 2022 | 4 | 44% |
| 2020 | 1 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 10% |
| 2018 | 4 | 12% |
| 2017 | 12 | 27% |
| 2016 | 16 | 19% |
| 2015 | 17 | 18% |
| 2012 | 6 | 14% |
| 2011 | 4 | 9% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 5 | 11% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2018 Audi A3
17 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsTires
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Audi A3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology