2018 Audi S3 Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 6,250miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 22 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Audi S3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2018 Audi S3. The part named most often is fuel system, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and air bags (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 6,250 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 655 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 17 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 40 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.
- Fuel system2 40%
- Air bags1 20%
- Other or unknown1 20%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “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 by manufacture?). Audi is not acknowledging any upcoming recall but may try to help through their assistance program.”
NHTSA complaint #11622004, filed 2024-10Transmission and drivetrain: “The car was put in Drive D . As I roll out into traffic and start to accelerate, the car bang out of gear like it's in neutral, the revs climb, but the car doesn't accelerate and the D display disappeared from the instrument panel. The gear selector display on the instrument panel is now blank (instead of D if it was in gear or N if it was out of gear). I have to pull to the side of the road and stop and the D reappeared and then all seems to be fine again. This has happened twice in the last two months. …”
NHTSA complaint #11468314, filed 2022-06Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,000 and 10,500 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Audi S3. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S3 · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating; 2019: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2018 Audi S3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S3 AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 22 | 28 | 25 | $3,300 |
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
- 21V198000Mar 22, 2021Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passengerCovers: Audi S3 2015–2020, A3 2015–2020, RS 3 2017–2020 +1 more
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the…
Recall details for the 2018 Audi S3 → · 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. 655 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038130Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- 11038027Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- 11038042Sep 22, 2026Steering. This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
- 11038024Sep 22, 2026Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
- 11038056Sep 18, 2026Body and structure. This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.
- 11038025Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
- 11038033Sep 8, 2026Body and structure. This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
- 11038026Sep 8, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the App Store for Android and Apple phones.
- 11036917Aug 26, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
- 11036907Aug 24, 2026Suspension. This bulletin provides informaiotn when there are rattling/grinding noises reported from the front end.
Other model years of the Audi S3
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 6,250 | 1 | 5 | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 9 | 28,859 | 2 | 5 | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 14 | 44,000 | 3 | 5 | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 53 | 52,000 | 2 | 5 | 26 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Audi S3 have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2018 Audi S3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2018 Audi S3 is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.
Has the 2018 Audi S3 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2018 Audi S3 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Audi S3 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi S3 get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Audi S3 (S3, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Audi S3 reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 6,250 miles and the middle half falls between 2,000 and 10,500 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.