2018 Audi Rs 3: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Audi Rs 3: 4 recalls, 13 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #18V803000 · 2018 · 169 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-golf and golf r vehicles, and Audi a3 sedan and rs3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves May be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.
Why it matters: If the guide sleeves are incorrectly welded, in the event of a crash, the rear seat head restraints May have reduced stability, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018.
Seats Vehicle recall #19V095000 · 2019 · 3,326 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi a3 sedan and rs3 vehicles. The latching pins for the center rear seat head restraint May be missing.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the head restraint May detach and cause injury to the vehicle occupants.
The fix: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, replacing any that are missing pins, free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V474000 · 2019 · 138,896 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi s3 sedan, 2015-2019 a3 sedan and a3 cabriolet, 2016-2018 a3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 rs3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact May cause the passenger occupant detection system (pods) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
Why it matters: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V198000 · 2021 · 153,152 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the pods sensor mat and update the pods control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (5): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
- Fuel & propulsion (4): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2), leaks (2).
- Engine (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Lane departure (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2018 Audi Rs 3 has 13 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 8 Rs 3 model years for complaints (4.7× the average Rs 3 year). Complaints peaked in 2022 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 13,338 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (1 complaints, 2 recalls), 2019 (5 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Audi Rs 3.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Audi Rs 3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Audi Rs 3. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Audi Rs 3 problems?
Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (5), fuel & propulsion (4), engine (2).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi Rs 3 get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (AM-S7)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Audi Rs 3 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.