Model year guide

2018 Audi s3

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2018 Audi s3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

2018 Audi s3 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2018 Audi s3 at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints5
Combined25 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2018 Audi s3 recalls 1

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger NHTSA Campaign #21V198000 · 22/03/2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.

Fix: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BY.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2018 Audi s3 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2018 Audi s3 MPG & running costs

Combined25 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,300
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S7)
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume86 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2018 Audi s3 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,500
Fuel only$16,500
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2018 Audi s3 trims & engines on record

Trims
quattro Premium Plus
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 292 hp

2018 Audi s3 vehicles on record

2018 Audi s3 2018 Audi s3 quattro Premium PlusWAUB1GFF0J1027007

Other Audi s3 model years

2017 2016 2015

2018 Audi s3 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Audi s3 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2018 Audi s3. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi s3?

Across all 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel/propulsion system, power train, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi s3 get?

The 2018 Audi s3 has a U.S. EPA estimate of 25 mpg combined (22 city / 28 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.