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EnginePart report

2018 Audi A3 Engine 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 engine 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

“Hello, I dropped my car off at Audi and Dominion in San Antonio Texas on Thursday July 10th for a repair this was a recall for the fuel pump system in something in the mechatronic controls. They had my car until Saturday I was informed that the repairs were done under warranty. Then on Saturday July 19th as I began to drive the vehicle a alert for my transmission malfunction appeared on my dashboard and I Lost first gear. …”

NHTSA complaint #11675534, filed 2025-07

“Coolant Water Pump and Thermostat -- Coolant temperature indicator gauge runs from normal to high after about 10-15 miles drive. Coolant levels are good and no signs of leak. Engine light is activated along with warning messages. Engine Warning: Drive System Malfunction. Please call for service. The vehicle goes into Limp Mode and warns to not exceed 4,000 rpm. I am in the process of having this repaired by a mechanic. FYI--- There was a previous RECALL for this in 2017. Clearly the problem still occurs.”

NHTSA complaint #11745097, filed 2026-06

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023114%
2022111%
202016%
2018412%
2017920%
2016911%
2015910%
2013315%
2011614%
201048%
2009511%
200748%
200632%

Other parts of the 2018 Audi A3

Air bags
17 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Tires
3 complaints
Seats
2 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
1 complaints
Seat 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