2018 Audi A3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 12%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Audi A3, 12% of the 33 complaints for this model year.
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 February 19, 2022, I drove from my home in San Francisco to the Home Depot in Colma/Daly City. This is a 7 Mile drive one way on the freeway. When I was leaving the parking lot at the Home Depot, I put the car in reverse and all of a sudden it would not move. The car stopped. I turned the ignition off. Then on. There were NO warning lights. I put the car in reverse again, and now it was bucking and stopped. It would not move. I had the car towed to my house on Saturday February 19, and again on Monday February 21 to the Audi Of San Francisco service department. …”
NHTSA complaint #11486315, filed 2022-09Related service bulletins
- 11033484May 8, 2026This TSB provides information when the gearbox warning light is on; event memory entry P0174A00/P174E00.
- 11033475May 6, 2026The high-voltage batteries in electric vehicles are subject to various ageing effects which could lead to the energy content (energy density) being reduced. This reduction in the…
- 11028399Jan 5, 2026This bulletin provides information when there is an oil leak near the transmission cooler.
- 11027358Dec 11, 2025This bulletin provides additoinal information to assist in determining the energy content of lithium-ion high-voltage batteries.
- 11025324Oct 17, 2025This bulletin provides information when there is a gearbox malfunction warning; DTC P0C2900 in the TCM.
- 11021441Jul 30, 2025This bulletin providesi nformation when various DTCs are stored; high maximum temperature recorded for clutch K1.
- 11017610Apr 2, 2025This TSB provides information when the earbox warning light is on; event memory entry P0174A00/P174E00.
- 11016508Mar 21, 2025This bulletin provides information when there is a gearbox malfunction warning; DTC P0C2900 in the TCM.
- 11013693Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information when a cracking noise can be heard from the vehicle front or rear end while changing direction.
- 11011241Nov 25, 2024This bulletin provides information when the engine warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster, and the vehicle has reduced power. DTCs P256300, P056E00, P00AF00.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 14% |
| 2022 | 2 | 22% |
| 2020 | 2 | 13% |
| 2019 | 1 | 10% |
| 2018 | 4 | 12% |
| 2017 | 6 | 14% |
| 2016 | 6 | 7% |
| 2015 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 2 | 10% |
| 2011 | 3 | 7% |
| 2010 | 11 | 22% |
| 2009 | 15 | 32% |
| 2008 | 13 | 30% |
| 2007 | 16 | 31% |
| 2006 | 37 | 30% |
| 2004 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2018 Audi A3
17 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsOther or unknown
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 29, 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