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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 Audi S3 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2018 Audi S3 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 5 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 2018 Audi S3, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2018 Audi S3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Audi S3, describing incidents dated December 1, 2018 to September 27, 2024.

Most-cited components

  • Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
  • Power Train 2 complaints
  • Air Bags 1 complaint
  • Unknown or Other 1 complaint
  • Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11622004 · Filed

    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 S3, only the A3. Dealer has determined the suction pump and gas tank are faulty. (Inherit defect by…

  • ODI #11468314 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11468028 · Filed

    Audi will not fix the problem.

Read all 5 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2018 Audi S3 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.

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.

Other Audi S3 model years

Check your 2018 Audi S3 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi S3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check an Audi VIN