2019 Audi RS 3

Routine

Owners filed 5 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000
Engine1
000
Electrical System1
000
Back Over Prevention › Warnings1
000
Air Bags1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger21V198000
Filed Mar 22, 2021153,152 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy. 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.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification19V474000
Filed Jun 19, 2019138,896 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.

Risk. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69Z4.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Sep 3, 2025AZ

The water pump has failed twice in under 46,000 miles, first was at 3000 miles 2nd was at 46000 miles

Back Over Prevention › Warnings
Filed Mar 26, 2025TX

I first began noticing symptoms of a cooling system issue on May 23, 2024, including engine temperature fluctuations and loss of coolant, on my 2019 Audi RS3. Over time, the issue worsened, eventually requiring a full replacement of both the water pump and thermostat on January 10, 2025, at 53,981 miles. This resulted in a total out-of-pocket repair cost of $2,809.95. The symptoms included engine overheating and loss of coolant. The issue required full replacement of the water pump assembly, thermostat, coolant, and associated components. Below is a summary of the repair work performed: Thermostat replacement: $847.20 Water pump replacement: $1,725.20 Additional fluids, shop fees, taxes: $237.55 Total paid: $2,809.95 I later learned that Audi had issued a recall (NHTSA Recall No. 18V229000) for water pump failures in other Audi models with similar cooling system components and symptoms. However, my model — the 2019 RS3 — was not included in that recall, despite sharing common parts and failure patterns. Given the widespread nature of this issue and the significant cost and safety risks (overheating, possible engine failure), I believe this defect warrants investigation and possible expansion of the existing recall to include the RS3 model. Documentation and a detailed invoice are available upon request.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 16, 2024FL

[XXX] Unable to fill the vehicle with fuel normally, with the nozzle clicking off repeatedly, required trickle of fuel to partially fill tank. Same day system failure under normal driving conditions with fuel leak spraying fuel from the gas tank and overflowing under excessive pressure creating serious risk of injury or death due to fire or explosion. Removal of the cap revealed excessive tank pressure causing fuel to spew from the fill opening, creating an additional safety risk in addition to fire and explosion, including eye, skin, and clothing contamination and/or damage. Audi dealer in Lakeland, Florida evaluated the defect and recommended replacement of the tank and entire fuel system. Audi factory service number provided by dealer to report the defect and request covered repair on 10/16/2024 with investigation in process. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags
Filed Nov 19, 2021NY

My vehicle has the Audi recall 69BY that came out on March 22, 2021. There is currently still no remedy and its November 19th, 2021. Its been nearly 8 months. The pre-sense warning light and the airbag light are glaring on the dash at all times. Nobody can sit in the passenger seat as the airbag would not deploy in the event of a crash. I have to keep the passenger seatbelt fastened at all times with nobody sitting in the seat or else it dings nonstop. I am expecting my first child in Feb 2022 and would like to trade in my car for a more appropriate family sized car. But, with this open recall with no remedy, i cannot do that. I am stuck with no insight or timeframe for any solution. And its been nearly 8 months. This is unacceptable. Audi customer service has a 2-4 hour wait time every time i call, and the only option is for a call back, which i have yet to receive one. This issue would be minor if there was a timely fix, but with nearly 8 months passing and no remedy yet, this has turned into a major inconvenience in my life and its difficult to deal with knowing i cant do anything. and nobody has any information on when this will be fixed.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 9, 20215 milesCA

MY CAR KEEPS THROWING DRIVE ERRORS, SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, AND THROWS NO TROUBLE CODES? I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF AUDI, AND GOT NO ANSWER. CAN YOU INVESTIGATE A HACKED TCU/ECU? I DON'T HAVE THE GEAR.*DT CONSUMER STATED ELECTRONIC OIL SENSOR MIGHT HAVE NEVER WORKED. DIPSTICK WAS LOW, THE ONLY LIGHT IS DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION LIGHT.*JB

5 of 5 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2018
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261000Routine
20251000Routine
20230100Routine
20220200Routine
20201100Routine
2019 — this page5200Routine
201813400Routine
20171200Routine

Compare every RS 3 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 22, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.