Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet with NHTSA between 2018 and 2024.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 12
Against the median year of the Audi A3 Cabriolet. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2018 compares with every other Audi A3 Cabriolet
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
758.3%
Wheels
18.3%
Tires
18.3%
Median failure at 8,101 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
18.3%
Median failure at 62,000 miles
Lights
18.3%
Median failure at 2,400 miles
Electrical System
18.3%
Median failure at 60,000 miles
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2018peak 2Apr 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ23007Opened 12 Dec 2023Closed 1 Jul 2024FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened RQ23-007 to investigate the remedy repair effectiveness and scope of Volkswagen (VW) recall 16V-647. Recall 16V-647 was issued on September 2, 2016, for a defective suction jet pump (SJP) inside the fuel tank. Failure of the SJP could lead to a fuel leak from the vehicle. This recall covered certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 passenger car vehicles. The recall remedy repair replaced SJP Version 1.0 with an improved version, Version 1.1. The SJP is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emiss...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 62,000 milesPompano Beach, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2018 Audi A3. The contact stated after parking the vehicle, a bystander alerted the contact that there was fuel leaking from the rear passenger's side near the fuel tank. The contact drove the vehicle to a gas station and was unable to refuel the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the charcoal canister was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11583078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesHigh Springs, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 Audi A3. The contact stated while driving in a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the battery was drained, and the vehicle failed to restart. The contact jumpstarted the vehicle. The battery was replaced. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was called, but there was no response. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #11555311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chino Hills, CA
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2018 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11471685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Carlos, CA
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2018 Audi A3. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
NHTSA complaint #11440624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake City, UT
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2018 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
NHTSA complaint #11440693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Antonio, TX
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2018 Audi A3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the remedy was not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11423157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Keller, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT AUDI GRAPEVINE (LOCATED AT 1260 E STATE HWY 114, GRAPEVINE, TX 76051, (817) 354-2834) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11257353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER (AUDI OF TYSON, 8598 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA) AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11253122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI A3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V474000 (AIR BAGS). CIRCLE AUDI (LOCATED AT 1919 N LAKEWOOD BLVD, LONG BEACH, CA 90815, (562) 597-3663) STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DEALER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *AS
NHTSA complaint #11241293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,101 milesLyndhurst, NJ
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI A3 EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TX TIRES, SIZE: 225/40R18 92HXL (NA). WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE THREAD SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PAUL MILLER AUDI (179 US-46, PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054, (973) 575-7750) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED; HOWEVER, THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DEALER COULD SEND THE TIRE BACK TO THEM FOR REVIEW AND INSPECTION. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,101. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11180268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shelby Township, MI
WHEELS
HI, I BOUGHT AN AUDI A3 2018 ON NOVEMBER 2017 FROM AUDI OF ROCHESTER HILLS, MICHIGAN.SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ORIGINAL PIRELLI TIRES IN THE CAR. TWO INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITHIN A SPAN OF 1 YEAR WHERE THE TIRE WAS DAMAGED ON THE SIDE WALL AND AND IT WAS IRREPLACEABLE SO I HAD TO GET A NEW TIRE WITHIN FEW MONTHS OF BUYING THE CAR. ON DEC 15, 2018 I LOST TIRE PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING IN SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN AND WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS SIDEWALL DAMAGE. ON MAY 31, 2018 I WENT OVER A POTHOLE AT THE INTERSECTION OF HURONTARIO & EGLINTON IN MISSISSAUGA ONTARIO, WHERE ONE OF THE TIRE GOT PUNCTURED (COMPLAINT FILED WITH CITY OF MISSISSAUGA, TRANSPORT CANADA AND PICTURE ATTACHED). I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT I'LL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRE AS THEY COULDN'T FIX THE TIRE BECAUSE THE SIDE WALL WAS DAMAGED. ONCE I GOT BACK TO MICHIGAN I GOT A NEW TIRE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I ASKED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND PIRELLI ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE TIRES BUT WAS TOLD THIS IS WHAT THE SUPPLIER (PIRELLI) SUGGESTED FOR THE A3. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE LOW PROFILE TIRES ON THE AUDI CARS. IF THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE ISSUES THEN THIS SHOULD BE COMMUNICATED BACK TO THE OEM AS WELL AS THE SUPPLIER. THIS IS PART OF THE QUALITY AND SAFETY STANDARDS THAT DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE PROVIDING TO THE CUSTOMERS. WITHIN A YEAR I HAD TO PAY FOR TIRES BECAUSE THE QUALITY IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO HANDLE POTHOLES? THE ISSUE HAPPENED IN LOW SPEED FOR ME SO I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
NHTSA complaint #11163237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,400 milesMiami Lakes, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DUE TO CONDENSATION/FOGGING, FRONT HEADLIGHT PROJECTION IS REDUCED TO LESS THAN HALF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DRIVING AT NIGHT TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11102917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.