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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2017–2026

Audi RS 3 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 22 owner complaints for the Audi RS 3, covering model years 2017 to 2026. The 2018 model year drew the most complaints (13), and Air Bags is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Audi RS 3 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 7 recall campaigns on file
  • 22 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 8 model years with data (2017–2026)
  • most complaints: 2018 (13 for that model year)
  • top component: Air Bags (6 complaints)
  • latest recall 22V901000 (reported Dec 7, 2022)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Audi RS 3 complaints by model year

6 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2018 model year has the most complaints: 13 of 22, or 59.1%. Next come 2019 (5) and 2017 (1). The fewest are for 2026, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Audi RS 3 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2017–2026Column chart of 22 complaints across 10 model years. The highest is 2018 with 13. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2017: 1 complaint120172018: 13 complaints1320182019: 5 complaints520192020: 1 complaint120202021: 0 complaints20212022: 0 complaints20222023: 0 complaints20232024: 0 complaints20242025: 1 complaint120252026: 1 complaint12026
Audi RS 3 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Audi RS 3 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
201710000
2018130000
201950000
202010000
202510000
202610000
All model years220000

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Audi RS 3 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Air Bags is the component named most often, in 6 complaints (27.3% of all 22), followed by Engine (6) and Fuel/Propulsion System (5).

Components named most often in Audi RS 3 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Audi RS 3 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Air Bags627.3%
Engine627.3%
Fuel/Propulsion System522.7%
Electrical System418.2%
Unknown or Other313.6%
Back Over Prevention29.1%
Forward Collision Avoidance29.1%
Lane Departure29.1%
Power Train29.1%
Seat Belts14.5%
Seats14.5%
Service Brakes14.5%
Vehicle Speed Control14.5%
Visibility/Wiper14.5%
Wheels14.5%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Audi RS 3 recalls

7 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name RS 3, newest first. The 7 campaigns cover model years 2017 to 2023. The 2018 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

  • 7 recall campaigns
Audi RS 3 recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2017: 2 campaigns2018: 4 campaigns2019: 2 campaigns
2020: 1 campaign2021: no campaigns2022: 2 campaigns2023: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 22V901000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Labels

    Model year 2023

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S3, RS3, and A3 vehicles. The Safety Certification label on the B-pillar is missing weight capacity information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

    Consequence:
    Missing weight information may result in unintentional overloading of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Audi dealers will install an overlay label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 50ZZ.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 22V823000

    Reported

    Back Over Prevention › Display Function

    Model year 2022

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Golf R A8, Audi S3, RS3 Sedan, Q4 E-Tron SUV, A3 Sedan, and 2022-2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI, and ID4 vehicles. The rearview camera image may be blank or unresponsive when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear or when the park function is manually activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Consequence:
    An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners February 14, 2023. Volkswagen owners will receive an owner notification letter once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Volkswagen) 91EK and (Audi) 91EL.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 22V652000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal

    Model year 2022

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Audi S3, A3, and RS3 vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been folded incorrectly.

    Consequence:
    An incorrectly folded air bag can tear, prohibiting it from deploying properly during a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69DZ.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 21V198000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger; Air Bags › On-Off Switch Assembly

    Model years 2017–2020

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  5. NHTSA campaign 19V474000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification

    Model years 2017–2019

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  6. NHTSA campaign 19V095000

    Reported

    Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly

    Model year 2018

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A3 sedan and RS3 vehicles. The latching pins for the center rear seat head restraint may be missing.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash, the head restraint may detach and cause injury to the vehicle occupants.
    Remedy:
    Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, replacing any that are missing pins, free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72I8.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  7. NHTSA campaign 18V803000

    Reported

    Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly

    Model year 2018

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.

    Consequence:
    If the guide sleeves are incorrectly welded, in the event of a crash, the rear seat head restraints may have reduced stability, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72H8 (VW) and 72H9(Audi).

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Audi RS 3 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Audi RS 3 have?

NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recall campaigns for the Audi RS 3, covering model years 2017 to 2026. The most recent, 22V901000, was reported on December 7, 2022 and is filed under “Equipment”. The 2018 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which Audi RS 3 model year has the most complaints?

The 2018 model year, with 13 of the 22 complaints in NHTSA’s file (59.1%). The next are 2019 (5) and 2017 (1). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Audi RS 3 complaint?

Air Bags is the component named most often: 6 complaints, or 27.3% of all 22. Engine (6) and Fuel/Propulsion System (5) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Audi RS 3?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Audi dealer.

How many Audi RS 3 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 22 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Audi models

8 models · most complaints first

The Audi models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Audi VIN decoder with every Audi model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Audi A4 1995–2024 · 27 recalls · 2,893 complaints
  • Audi A6 1995–2026 · 54 recalls · 1,656 complaints
  • Audi Q5 2008–2026 · 33 recalls · 1,337 complaints
  • Audi Q7 2007–2026 · 32 recalls · 1,042 complaints
  • Audi A3 2001–2025 · 20 recalls · 728 complaints
  • Audi S4 1995–2022 · 15 recalls · 560 complaints
  • Audi A5 2008–2026 · 19 recalls · 325 complaints
  • Audi TT 2000–2023 · 12 recalls · 319 complaints

All Audi models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.