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2018 Audi S3 problems

The most common problem on the 2018 Audi S3 is fuel and propulsion system. Its complaint count is close to a typical S3 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
665
Worst area
Fuel system

The worst 2018 Audi S3 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Fuel system
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Fuel system
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 1

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passengerReported March 22, 2021 · 153,152 vehicles affected
What is 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.
Risk
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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 this recall is 69BY.

Recall number 21V198000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2018 Audi S3

Defect investigations

Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)Opened December 12, 2023, closed July 1, 2024

On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V‑647. Recall 16V‑647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. VW’s recall filing stated the SJP may have been damaged during assembly, which could potentially allow fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system. Over time, the fuel could accumulate in, and cause a leak from, the charcoal canister filter element. ODI received consumer complaints of SJP failure leading to a fuel leak, refueling spit back, refueling shutoff, and/or fuel odor in vehicles previously repaired under recall 16V‑647. Additional complaints alleging SJP failure leading to the previously stated outcomes were received in vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V‑647, including MY 2016-2020 VW Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. VW issued recall 24V‑110 on February 14, 2024, to address issues with SJPs Versions 1.0 and 1.1. The recall remedy replaces the SJP Version 1.0 or 1.1 with an improved version, Version 2.0. Recall 24V‑110 covers certain MY 2015-2020 VW Golf (including Golf GTI), 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2019-2020 VW Jetta GLI vehicles, including vehicle previously repaired under 16V‑647. Vehicle owners were notified of this recall in April 2024 and VW’s projected date for owner notification of recall remedy availability is August 2024. In view of the recall being conducted by VW, ODI is closing this Recall Query (RQ). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to

RQ23007

Technical service bulletins for the 2018 Audi S3 665

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 665 bulletins for the 2018 Audi S3

What 2018 Audi S3 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 25, 2024 · Fuel system · FL

Having the same issue as the federal safety agency Part 573 Safety Recall Report, 24V‑110. And, similar to the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jun 8, 2022 · Transmission · CA

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. I had a local mechanic scan the vehicle for transmission fault, but found nothing was stored.

Filed Jun 7, 2022 · Airbags · CA

Audi will not fix the problem.

Filed Jan 9, 2019 · Fuel system, Visibility · 2,000 miles · TX

A) audi of central houston sold us 2018 s3 on aug13, 2018 with: 1) delaminating windshield creating a major safety hazard 2) defective wiper function nb: windshield was replacement on dec 31, 2019 when we had actually requested replacement of the vehicle with another brand new vehicle b) audi of north america (through its dealer) has: 1) sold us a brand new car with fire hazard in its fuel lines on aug 13, 2018 2) failed to notify us to date (jan 09, 2019) regarding recall code 20bk dealing with faulty fuel lines

Filed Dec 27, 2018 · Transmission · 10,500 miles · CA

Car doesn't engage gear or "jumps" when reverse (r) is selected.

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Compare the 2018 Audi S3

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Questions about the 2018 Audi S3

Is the 2018 Audi S3 reliable?

Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2018 Audi S3, close to a typical S3 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Audi S3?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 2 complaints. Next is transmission (2).

How many recalls does the 2018 Audi S3 have?

1 recall, covering air bags.

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