2018 Audi RS 3

13 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

1. Filed Jun 13, 2026Failure Jun 5, 2025Tucson, AZFuel/propulsion system, Unknown or other

   Fuel tank may fail or charcoal canister within. Causing you not to be able to fill up the car and if it overflows it’ll spill. Coolant will also miraculously evaporate, even while car is sitting due to [XXX] water pump. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint 11743909
2. Filed Nov 5, 2025Failure Oct 29, 2025Naples, FLFuel/propulsion system

   I attempted to add gas to a 3/4 full fuel tank (given that I had a long drive that day and needed a full tank). Fuel would not enter the tank, no matter how slow I seemed to pump the gas. I had filled up a few days prior and driven the car about 100 miles since. After calling the dealer and taking the car in for service the next day, the dealer noted that the car needed a new fuel tank because components in the fuel system had failed. The service advisor stated that there was a recall on a different model, but same platform of Audi, but that recall did not apply to my car. I have since read that there is an investigation on fuel issues on my model by the NHTSA. I have also seen recall information about VW and Audi vehicles and models similar to my car. This appears to be a major and frequent safety issue. If not quickly remedied, fuel can leak and/or evaporate out of the tank or into the charcoal canister and fill an area with gas fumes. In addition, not being able to add fuel to a car is a major problem which can leave a driver stranded or incapable of using their vehicle. There were no warning lights or fault codes.

   NHTSA complaint 11697603
3. Filed Jan 18, 2024Failure Jan 11, 2024San Antonio, TXFuel/propulsion system, Unknown or other

   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. I have not yet had the vehicle inspected by the vehicle manufacturer, Audi, but will soon. There were no indicator lights or any warning of a failure until the issue evidenced several months ago. I had hoped this would turn out to be a temporary problem due to an issue with a specific refueling station pump, but this has not turned out to be the case.

   NHTSA complaint 11566348
4. Filed Dec 22, 2023Failure Sep 13, 2023Fort myers, FLEngine

   Water pump failure at 27,500 miles. Causing coolant leak that progressively got worse. The seal or pump itself failed and is letting coolant escape

   NHTSA complaint 11561433
5. Filed Nov 1, 2022Failure Oct 23, 2022San Antonio, TXFuel/propulsion system

   The suction pump located in the fuel tank failed, causing fuel to back up into the evaporation canister and out of the vent tube in the rear passenger wheel well, which is a potential fire hazard. This is the exact same part a recall was issued for in NHTSA campaign numbers 16V647 VW and 16V647 Audi

   NHTSA complaint 11491839
6. Filed Oct 20, 2022Failure Mar 16, 2022allen, TXAir bags, Electrical system

   Unknown if passenger airbag actually works. Airbag warning light on, passenger seat belt warning on. "Passenger airbag off" illuminated constantly. Causes every electrical system to occasionally report failure.

   NHTSA complaint 11490118
7. Filed Sep 1, 2022Failure Mar 1, 202242,000 milesAlpharetta, GAAir bags

   The contact owns a 2018 Audi RS3. The contact stated that the passenger air bag off warning light had remained illuminated with an occupant seated in the passenger’s side seat. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags). The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact then received another notification that stating that the recall was placed on hold due to a shortage of parts. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

   NHTSA complaint 11482415
8. Filed Mar 4, 2022Failure Mar 4, 2022Baldwin, NYAutomatic emergency braking, Warnings, Seat belts

   Audi pre sence kicked in on an empty street at 30mph. It was daylight on a straight road. The seat belts tightened up with no warning and the car applied hard breaks. Luckily there was no one behind me at the time or I would have definitely been rear ended.

   NHTSA complaint 11455233
9. Filed Oct 20, 2021Failure Oct 15, 2021Lewiston, MEAir bags, Electrical system, Blind spot detection

   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. This is not just dangerous, but insulting and comical for spending so much money on a vehicle, with the purpose of transporting multiple individuals. I fear for my safety all whilst having no viable options for a fix or any recourse. This has been going on for years now.

   NHTSA complaint 11437552
10. Filed Jun 18, 2021Failure Mar 22, 2021Denver, COAir bags

    The Passenger Occupant Detection System does not work correctly, and it fails to activate when detecting a passenger in the passenger front seat. This problem has been on going through Audi since 2018, and they have yet to remedy it. No fixes or remedies have been available and this round of recalls was issued March 22, 2021 but no remedy has been made which is a failure on the manufacturer.

    NHTSA complaint 11421367
11. Filed Nov 7, 2020Failure Oct 28, 202013,338 milesNEW Canaan, CTAir bags, Warnings, Blind spot detection

    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. AUDI HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. ALL DESPITE COUNTLESS SERVICE VISITS, AND COUNTLESS TIMES BEING TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG OR IT HAS BEEN FIXED. EVERY-TIME I HAVE GOTTEN THE VEHICLE BACK IT IS EVEN WORSE, AND MORE UNSAFE. THE LAST ATTEMPT TO FIX IT (10/27/2020), UPON GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK THE MOMENT A PASSENGER SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ALL THE AIRBAGS BECAME DISABLED AND THE DASH LIT UP. THE ISSUE HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONARY. IT HAPPENS BOTH WITH JUST THE DRIVER AS-WELL AS WITH PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES IT IS INTERMITTENT, WHILE OTHER TIMES IT PERSISTS THROUGHOUT THE DRIVE.

    NHTSA complaint 11373622
12. Filed Dec 15, 2017Failure Nov 26, 20172,900 milesGreensboro, NCEngine, Power train, Vehicle speed control

    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. THIS CAUSED THE POWER LOSS AND CHANGE IS BOOST. I AM NOT SURE IF ANY OTHER DAMAGE HAPPENED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PLASTIC TUBE. I CONTACTED AUDI, THERE IS NO TSB OR RECALL AT THIS TIME. THIS MOVEMENT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE SURPRISE AND THE JERK FEELING AS IF THE CAR WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. I BELIEVE BOOST CUT OFF, THEN 1/10 OF A SEC. IT WAS BACK ON. HERE ARE PCS OF THE DAMAGED TUBE.

    NHTSA complaint 11054885
13. Filed Nov 7, 2017Failure Nov 1, 2017Greensboro, NCSeats

    I HAVE A 5YR OLD DAUGHTER WHO SITS IN THE BACKSEAT ON A BOOSTER. THE BOOSTER MEETS ALL SAFETY STANDARDS, AND IS ONE WITHOUT A BACK OR HEAD SUPPORT. THE TYPICAL BOOSTER SEAT THAT MANY PARENTS HAVE FOR THIS HEIGHT AND WEIGHT OF THEIR CHILD. IF YOU LOOK AT THE DIAGRAM, THERE IS NO LOCKING POSITION AT THE NORMAL POSITION OF THE HEADREST. MANY OTHER MANUFACTURES LIKE SUBARU, PORSCHE, ETC HAVE A LOCKING POSITION IN THE NORMAL POSITION FOR THE HEADREST. JUST WITH NORMAL SITTING AND BEING A KID, THE HEADREST POPS UP INTO THE FIRST LOCKING POSITION. HAPPENS EVERY DAY. THIS CAUSES THE BACK OF HER HEAD TO REST IN A "POCKET" BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE SEAT AND THE BOTTOM OF THE HEADREST. I BELIEVE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WHERE FORCE COMES UP AND OUTWARDS (LIKE A BAD REAR COLLISION), FRICTION WOULD CAUSE HER HEAD TO WANT TO STAY IN THIS POCKET CAUSING HER NECK GREAT PAIN AND EVEN DAMAGING HER NECK.

    NHTSA complaint 11044149