CarBrief

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints for the 2018 Audi A3, and air bags is the group named most often[1][2]. The car also has 7 recalls on file, so check that each one has been done before you buy or keep it[3].

45owner complaints[1]
7recalls[3]
25–29MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash, none mention a fire, two mention injuries and none mention deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Tires, engine and unknown or other each have 4 complaints, and exterior lighting has 2[9][10][11][12]. With counts this small, we do not treat any of these as a pattern.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year[3]. Many of them also cover other Audi and Volkswagen models and other model years[13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Newest first.

Fuel economy

EPA lists five 2018 A3 versions[4][20][21][22][23]. The four gasoline versions below use regular fuel and a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine[4][20][21][22].

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
A3, front-wheel drive[4] 26 / 35 / 29 $2,300
A3 Cabriolet, front-wheel drive[20] 25 / 33 / 28 $2,400
A3 quattro, all-wheel drive[22] 24 / 31 / 27 $2,500
A3 Cabriolet quattro, all-wheel drive[21] 22 / 30 / 25 $2,700

The A3 e-tron has a 1.4L 4-cylinder turbo, uses premium fuel and electricity, and is rated 36 MPGe combined with 400 miles of range[23]. EPA's fuel costs use its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

The 4 DR versions, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, both earned 5 stars overall from NHTSA[5][24]. Both got 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash and 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 10.9%[5][24]. NHTSA lists the C AWD, C FWD and 5 HB FWD versions as not rated[25][26][27].

Engine and size

EPA test cars list two engines. The 1.4L 4-cylinder is rated 150 hp[28]. The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated 186 to 220 hp depending on version[29].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
A3 Cabriolet[30] 175 in 71 in 54 in 102 in 3,583 lb
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI[31] 176 in 71 in 56 in 104 in 3,175 lb
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI quattro[32] 176 in 71 in 56 in 104 in 3,362 lb
A3 Sportback e-tron[33] 170 in 70 in 56 in 104 in 3,616 lb

How 2018 compares with other years

2006: 123 complaints, 4 recalls20062007: 52 complaints, 3 recalls2008: 43 complaints, 3 recalls20082009: 48 complaints, 5 recalls2010: 50 complaints, 5 recalls20102011: 43 complaints, 4 recalls2012: 43 complaints, 4 recalls20122013: 20 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 180 complaints, 7 recalls20152016: 121 complaints, 6 recalls2017: 71 complaints, 5 recalls20172018: 45 complaints, 7 recalls4520182019: 15 complaints, 4 recalls20192020: 17 complaints, 3 recalls2022: 9 complaints, 6 recalls20222023: 7 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 2 complaints, 0 recalls20242025: 5 complaints, 0 recalls2026: 2 complaints, 0 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each A3 model year. The 2018 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20061234
2007523
2008433
2009485
2010505
2011434
2012434
2013203
20151807
20161216
2017715
2018457
2019154
2020173
202296
202372
202420
202550
202620

NHTSA lists 45 complaints and 7 recalls for 2018[3]. Only 2015 also has 7 recalls, and no listed year has more[3]. On complaints, 2015 has 180, 2016 has 121 and 2017 has 71, all higher than 2018[3]. The 2019 model year has 15 complaints and 4 recalls[3].

These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide within the A3 line only[3].

Should you buy a used 2018 Audi A3?

The complaint count is lower than for the 2015 to 2017 model years, but the recall count is as high as any year listed[3]. The passenger air bag sensor, fuel leak and engine stall recalls touch safety, so confirm by VIN that each has been completed[13][14][15][17][19]. In complaints we read, some owners describe waits for parts and problems after repair on the air bag recall[2]. Ask for service records that show the recall work. Our data does not cover repair costs or reliability scores, so a pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi A3?
Air bags is the group named most often in NHTSA complaints, with 24 of 45[1][2]. Electrical and fuel/propulsion follow with 5 each[6][7].
Does the 2018 Audi A3 have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7, covering the passenger air bag sensor, fuel system, rear seat head restraints and engine stall software[3][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].
What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Audi A3?
EPA rates the front-wheel drive A3 at 29 MPG combined and the A3 Cabriolet quattro at 25 MPG combined[4][21]. The e-tron is rated 36 MPGe combined[23].
How safe is the 2018 Audi A3?
The 4 DR versions earned 5 stars overall from NHTSA[5][24]. Some other versions are listed as not rated[25][26][27].
Is the 2018 Audi A3 better than other years?
It has fewer complaints than 2015, 2016 and 2017 but more than 2019, and its 7 recalls match 2015[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Audi A3 (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 24 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A3 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for A3, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 35 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 5 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 5 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 4 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 4 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 4 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 4 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 2 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 24V110, filed February 14, 2024: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 21V198, filed March 22, 2021: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V474, filed June 19, 2019: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 19V095, filed February 13, 2019: Seats › Mid / Rear Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 18V863, filed December 5, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 18V803, filed November 14, 2018: Seats › Mid / Rear Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 17V508, filed August 16, 2017: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
  20. EPA rating for A3 Cabriolet, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for A3 Cabriolet quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for A3 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for A3 e-tron, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S6), Premium and Electricity: 36 MPGe combined, 400 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  25. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  26. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  27. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  28. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Audi A3 with 1.4L 4-cylinder: rated 150 hp. www.epa.gov
  29. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Audi A3 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 186 to 220 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A3 CABRIOLET: length 175 in, width 71 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,583 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A3 SEDAN 2.0 TFSI: length 176 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,175 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A3 SEDAN 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO: length 176 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,362 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  33. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A3 SPORTBACK e-tron: length 170 in, width 70 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,616 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.