NHTSA vehicle safety data

2019 Audi RS 3 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2019 Audi RS 3 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2019 Audi RS 3, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2019 Audi RS 3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Audi RS 3, describing incidents dated May 23, 2024 to September 1, 2025.

Most-cited components

Engine 2 complaints
Back Over Prevention 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11684862 · Filed September 3, 2025
The water pump has failed twice in under 46,000 miles, first was at 3000 miles 2nd was at 46000 miles
ODI #11650727 · Filed March 26, 2025
I first began noticing symptoms of a cooling system issue on May 23, 2024, including engine temperature fluctuations and loss of coolant, on my 2019 Audi RS3. Over time, the issue worsened, eventually requiring a full replacement of both the water pump and thermostat on January 10, 2025, at 53,981…
ODI #11620220 · Filed October 16, 2024
[XXX] Unable to fill the vehicle with fuel normally, with the nozzle clicking off repeatedly, required trickle of fuel to partially fill tank. Same day system failure under normal driving conditions with fuel leak spraying fuel from the gas tank and overflowing under excessive pressure creating…

Read all 3 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2019 Audi RS 3 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Recall Query RQ23-007: Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
Closed July 1, 2024
- Recall 24V-110

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Passenger Air Bag May Deactivate

NHTSA #21V198000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger · NHTSA notice

Reported March 22, 2021 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 153,152 vehicles

Repair completion: 74.77% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 69BY · Owners notified December 23, 2021

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Air Bag May Deactivate

NHTSA #19V474000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported June 19, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 138,896 vehicles

Repair completion: 82.12% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 69Z4 · Owners notified September 12, 2019 · Vehicles built March 8, 2019 – April 30, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2019 Audi RS3 4 DR AWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

11% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

1 investigation

3 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Audi RS 3.

Engine

ODI #11684862

Incident: September 1, 2025 · Filed: September 3, 2025

The water pump has failed twice in under 46,000 miles, first was at 3000 miles 2nd was at 46000 miles

Unknown or Other; Engine; Back Over Prevention

ODI #11650727

Incident: May 23, 2024 · Filed: March 26, 2025

I first began noticing symptoms of a cooling system issue on May 23, 2024, including engine temperature fluctuations and loss of coolant, on my 2019 Audi RS3. Over time, the issue worsened, eventually requiring a full replacement of both the water pump and thermostat on January 10, 2025, at 53,981 miles. This resulted in a total out-of-pocket repair cost of $2,809.95. The symptoms included engine overheating and loss of coolant. The issue required full replacement of the water pump assembly, thermostat, coolant, and associated components. Below is a summary of the repair work performed: Thermostat replacement: $847.20 Water pump replacement: $1,725.20 Additional fluids, shop fees, taxes: $237.55 Total paid: $2,809.95 I later learned that Audi had issued a recall (NHTSA Recall No. 18V229000) for water pump failures in other Audi models with similar cooling system components and symptoms. However, my model — the 2019 RS3 — was not included in that recall, despite sharing common parts and failure patterns. Given the widespread nature of this issue and the significant cost and safety risks (overheating, possible engine failure), I believe this defect warrants investigation and possible expansion of the existing recall to include the RS3 model. Documentation and a detailed invoice are available upon request.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11620220

Incident: October 14, 2024 · Filed: October 16, 2024

[XXX] Unable to fill the vehicle with fuel normally, with the nozzle clicking off repeatedly, required trickle of fuel to partially fill tank. Same day system failure under normal driving conditions with fuel leak spraying fuel from the gas tank and overflowing under excessive pressure creating serious risk of injury or death due to fire or explosion. Removal of the cap revealed excessive tank pressure causing fuel to spew from the fill opening, creating an additional safety risk in addition to fire and explosion, including eye, skin, and clothing contamination and/or damage. Audi dealer in Lakeland, Florida evaluated the defect and recommended replacement of the tank and entire fuel system. Audi factory service number provided by dealer to report the defect and request covered repair on 10/16/2024 with investigation in process. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Other Audi RS 3 model years

Check your 2019 Audi RS 3 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi RS 3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check an Audi VIN