AI Damage2020 Audi RS 3: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Audi RS 3 filed 1 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine. The maker issued 577 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 577
What fails most often
- Engine: 1 complaints (100% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 130 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 113 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 57 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 37 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 29 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 8 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Water pump failure could cause motor to seize Dealer confirmed water pump leak Warning message in the dash cluster warned of low coolant Searching the internet, there is a very large problem dozens of owners of Audi RS3 cars having water pump issues. Attached video from the dealer [link]
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,964 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 7% least complained about).
On average one model year of the RS 3 has 0 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 1, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided
- This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has…
This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel
- This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations
- This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases
- This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking…
This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.
- This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer
- This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the…
This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the App Store for Android and Apple phones.
- This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped
- This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning
- This bulletin provides general information about the current tpp issues for Audi connect
- This bulletin provides information when there is a paint issue on alloy wheels
NHTSA lists 577 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Audi RS 3?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine. Total complaints: 1. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (100%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Audi RS 3?
NHTSA lists 577 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2020 Audi RS 3 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2020 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.