2018 Audi A3: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Audi A3: 2 recalls, 33 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
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.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #24V110000 · 2024 · 261,257 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi a3 sedan, 2015-2019 Audi a3 cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen jetta gli, 2018 golf sportwagen gp, 2018-2019 golf sportwagen a7, 2015-2017 golf sportwagen, 2015-2020 golf gti, and 2015-2020 golf a7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel May flow into the evaporative emissions…
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for vw owners were mailed on August 13, 2024.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (17): the most common themes are warning light on (3), fails to deploy (2).
- Fuel & propulsion (5): the most common themes are warning light on (3), stalls / loses power (2).
- Electrical (4): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
- Engine (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2018 Audi A3 has 33 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 23 A3 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 32). Complaints peaked in 2021 (13 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 23,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (44 complaints, 2 recalls), 2019 (10 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 35 | 29 | Regular |
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 A3.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Audi A3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Audi A3. 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 A3 problems?
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (17), fuel & propulsion (5), electrical (4).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi A3 get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (AM-S7)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Audi A3 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.