The Lemon Index
20172019Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,305 in the U.S. in 2018 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 30 complaints in its first 3 years.
30 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–36 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 BMW 3 Series 262018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 542018 Audi A4 45
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 11 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 24V110000 (fuel system, gasoline), 21V198000 (airbags) and 19V474000 (airbags) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Audi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 30 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Transmission problems in every Audi A3 year →
Check engine light on? Codes owners of the Audi A3 (2016–2020) name most: P0301 Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected · P0172 System Too Rich (Bank 1) · P0302 Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected · P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected · P0087 Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too Low. Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 23K miles (5K to 37K km) on the car (11 of all 30 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Audi is unable to provide a remedy for the pods recall in a timely manner making my Audi a3 unsafe for passengers sitting in the front passenger seat.
2018 Audi A3 owner · NHTSA complaint 11414080
What repairs cost
Repair bills owners named in their complaints to the government (NHTSA), 2015–2020 Audi A3, in U.S. dollars.
- Airbagsone repair bill$1,200–$1,300middle $1,300 · 9 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 11309055, 11320398, 11377483
Not enough reports yet for a number: Cooling (3), Electrical (3), Engine (2), Fuel system (2), Brakes (1), Exhaust & emissions (1). We show a range once 5 owners name a bill.
Each range is the middle half of the bills owners wrote down (one repair, parts and labor as they said it), not a yearly or total cost. Owners who complain often had expensive repairs, so typical bills can be lower. Prices depend on the shop, the miles and where you live.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 196 YouTube videos · 45.8M views · 2015–2020 Audi A3
Prices people quote
- Price when new$36,00013 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service1.2M views
How To: Audi A3 8V MMI ResetAdvanced In-Car Technologies · 501K views · 7 videos - Cooling system425K views
Audi S3 Water Pump & Thermostat Replacement DIY (2015-2021 Audi 8V A3, S3, TT, TTS)FCP Euro · 189K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical169K views
Audi A3 Battery Replacement DIY (2015-2020 MQB Audi 8V A3 & S3)FCP Euro · 107K views · 2 videos - Timing chain & engine152K views
2016 Audi A3 Carlinkit Apple Carplay Install GuideTech Round Up · 78K views · 2 videos
Show 1 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door140K views
Audi A3 Cabin Air Filter Replacement ( 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 )Undercar Experts · 140K views
Before you buy, watch
Audi A3 vs Volkswagen Golf 2018 review - which should you buy? | Head-to-Headcarwow · 1.7M views
Audi A3 e-tron plug-in 2018 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 260K views
THE AUDI S3 (8V) BUYERS GUIDE | AVOID Buying until watching this!Scottish Car Clan · 104K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2018 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 5
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2024
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
Show all 5 recalls
- Seats · recall issued 2019
The latching pins for the center rear seat head restraint may be missing.
- Seats · recall issued 2018
The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A3 C AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Audi A3 C FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Audi A3 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Audi A3 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Audi A3 Sportback e-tron FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,200–$2,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Audi A3 year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Audi A3 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/audi-a3/?y=2018" title="Audi A3 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/audi-a3/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Audi A3 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Audi A3 reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,305 were sold in the U.S. in 2018 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2018 Audi A3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (67%), fuel system (10%) and tires (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Audi A3 have?
5 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi A3 get?
25 to 36 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Audi A3 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2018 Audi A3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2018 Audi A3 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,200 to $2,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Audi A3 have?
1.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Audi A3 year is better than the 2018?
Nearby, the 2016 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works