AI Damage2018 Audi S3: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Audi S3 filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and fuel/propulsion system. The maker issued 594 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 594
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 40% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 40% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 20% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 20% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (40% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 39.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (40% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Visibility: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed
Drive: AWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 39 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 29 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 142 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 121 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 52 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 39 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 10 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Having the same issue as the NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report, 24V-110. And, similar to NHTSA 16V647 associated with the Audi Safety Recall 20Y5 - Suction Pump. Apparently there is no recall for my S3, only the A3. Dealer has determined the suction pump and gas tank are faulty. (Inherit defect by manufacture?).
The car was put in Drive "D". As I roll out into traffic and start to accelerate, the car "bang" out of gear like it's in neutral, the revs climb, but the car doesn't accelerate and the "D" display disappeared from the instrument panel.
A) audi of central houston sold us 2018 s3 on aug13, 2018 with: 1) delaminating windshield creating a major safety hazard 2) defective wiper function nb: windshield was replacement on dec 31, 2019 when we had actually requested replacement of the vehicle with another brand new vehicle b) audi of north america (through…
Car doesn't engage gear or "jumps" when reverse (r) is selected.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,688 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 20% least complained about).
On average one model year of the S3 has 3 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 5, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 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 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 information when there is a paint issue on alloy wheels
- This service information TSB provides warranty coverage information for vehicles with a broken sunroof panel
- This bulletin provides information about leather care and seat repair
- This bulletin provides information about the general approach for brake vibration concerns
NHTSA lists 594 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 2018 Audi S3?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, fuel/propulsion system, visibility. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Audi S3?
NHTSA lists 594 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 2018 Audi S3 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 2018 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.