Reliability & cost of ownership
Audi RS 3 Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Audi RS 3? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Audi RS 3 problems by model year
12 recall entries across 6 model years and 7 owner complaints across 8 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 2 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 RS 3 | Not confirmed | 1 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2025 RS 3 | Not confirmed | 1 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2023 RS 3 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2022 RS 3 | 2 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2020 RS 3 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2019 RS 3 | 2 | 3 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2018 RS 3 | 4 | 2 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2017 RS 3 | 2 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Audi RS 3, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- fuel/propulsion system3 complaints
- unknown or other2 complaints
- engine2 complaints
- back over prevention1 complaint
- electrical system1 complaint
- service brakes1 complaint
- forward collision avoidance1 complaint
- wheels1 complaint