2018 Audi S3 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2018 Audi S3, and owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2018 Audi S3
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Air bags: front passenger and on-off switch assembly (air bags)
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 passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for…
5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2018 Audi S3 have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 6,250 miles. Complaints peaked in 2022 with 2 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 25, 2024 · Fuel/propulsion system
“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 di”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 8, 2022 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2018 Audi S3. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 22 / 28 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S7) |
Compare Audi S3 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Audi S3 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Audi S3 | 2 | 53 |
| 2016 Audi S3 | 3 | 14 |
| 2017 Audi S3 | 2 | 9 |
| 2018 Audi S3 | 1 | 5 |
| 2019 Audi S3 | 1 | 2 |
| 2020 Audi S3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 Audi S3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 Audi S3 | 7 | 2 |
| 2023 Audi S3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 Audi S3 | 0 | 2 |
Checking a specific 2018 Audi S3
How do I know if my 2018 Audi S3 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2018 Audi S3; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Audi dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 21V198000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Audi models
- A42,895 complaints
- A61,658 complaints
- Q51,342 complaints
- Q71,047 complaints
- A3731 complaints
- S4588 complaints
- A5325 complaints
- TT319 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.