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Audi RS 3Model year report

2018 Audi RS 3 Problems

Complaints
13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
13,338miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.5L 5-cyl AWD · 19 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Audi RS 3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2018 Audi RS 3. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system (4) and electrical system (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 13,338 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 551 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the front passenger and 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 16 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “In may of 2018 the vehicle was brought in for the pods recall, only prompting safety system and airbag malfunctions to happen with increased occurrence. From may of 2019 to april of 2020 the vehicle was brought in something like four times to address the issue, again only making the issue worse. Over the last 6 months the vehicle has gotten to the point where it almost always has safety system malfunction pre sense: currently restricted and an airbag dash light whenever there is a passenger in the car. The cars airbags and other safety systems do not work. …”

NHTSA complaint #11373622, filed 2020-11, 13,338 miles

Fuel system: “For several months each time I refuel my vehicle, I experience fuel spit back and refueling shutoff at any rate of fuel delivery. I have also experienced a strong fuel odor in my garage immediately after refueling which persists for a week or more. I am concerned that a fuel leak near a hot exhaust pipe could cause a fire or an explosion. At home, such an event could cause the complete loss of the structure, loss of life to the occupants therein, and loss of the vehicle. Also adjacent homes are vulnerable to a spreading fire. …”

NHTSA complaint #11566348, filed 2024-01

Electrical system: “The vehicle has frequent intermittent failure of the airbag systems, safety systems, and blind spot monitoring systems. I receive frequent Safety system: malfunction! See owner's manual. as-well as Audi pre sense: currently restricted. See owner's manual. messages appear on my dashboard. I have contacted Audi Service departments numerous times and have been told that they wont take a look at the issue and while knowing it exists, have said they cant do anything to help. I have been advised that my airbags do not work and as such I should not have any passengers in the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11437552, filed 2021-10

Engine: “I was driving my car from 800 ft above sea level to over 5000 ft above sea level, this drive is about 40 mins on a 30% incline. The car jerked and there was also a power loss. At the top of the mountain, the car smelled hot because the car is under a lot of load pulling it up the hill for that amount of time, change in weather, pressure etc etc. This car is turbo charged and has a wastegate to regulate the amount of boost (power). The plastic tube that supplies vacuum pressure does not have any heat protection. It got pliable, and the vacuum pressure caused the tube to collapse. …”

NHTSA complaint #11054885, filed 2017-12, 2,900 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,900 and 42,000 miles.

33%0–1033%10–2533%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 13,338 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

201720202021202242023202420252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Audi RS 3. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
RS3 · sedan AWDnot rated———4 · 10.9% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 Audi RS 3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
RS 3 AWD2.5L 5-cyl7-speed automatic192822$3,750

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2018 Audi RS 3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 551 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 551 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi RS 3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019552—22—Not enough data
20181313,3384—22—Not enough data

All Audi RS 3 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Audi RS 3 have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2018 Audi RS 3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Audi RS 3 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system with 4.

Has the 2018 Audi RS 3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi RS 3 get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Audi RS 3 (RS 3, 2.5L 5-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Audi RS 3 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 13,338 miles and the middle half falls between 2,900 and 42,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.