2018 Audi A3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 17 of 33 complaints (52%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 44 in 2017 to 33 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,000–2,400 | 2,150–2,500 | 2,150–2,500 | 2,150–2,500 | 2,100–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–39 | 25–34 | 25–36 | 25–29 | 25–30 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–37 / 32–41 | 22–33 / 30–36 | 22–34 / 30–39 | 22–26 / 30–35 | 22–27 / 30–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 314–334 | 303–359 | 303–359 | 303–362 | 293–359 | |
| Complaints filed | 81 | 44 | 33 | 10 | 16 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Audi A3 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Audi A3?
Airbags & Restraints: 17 of 33 NHTSA complaints (52%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi A3 get?
EPA rates it 25–36 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Audi A3?
EPA estimates $2,150–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 26 mpg | 35 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 (low) | 303 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 25 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 315 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 359 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 24 mpg | 31 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 330 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium and Electricity | Compact Cars | 34 mpg (high) | 39 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 150 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 24V110000 · Feb 15, 2024
Defect: 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 (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY; AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER · Campaign 21V198000 · Mar 23, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.