Audi RS 3 Recalls (2017-2023)
The Audi RS 3 has been the subject of 7 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2017 to 2023 model years. They cluster mostly around the air bags, seats, and equipment.
The Audi RS 3 scores 97 out of 100 (grade A), one of the cleaner recall records among the vehicles we track. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 43% involve a critical safety system, none carried a do-not-drive warning, and 0% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 7 campaigns span 6 model years of the Audi RS 3. The single largest affected 153,152 vehicles, over air bags. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common RS 3 problems owners report.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Audi RS 3 may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
Audi RS 3 recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
Audi RS 3 recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2022 Audi RS 3 Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2022 Audi RS 3, involving the back over prevention and air bags.
2019 Audi RS 3 Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2019 Audi RS 3, involving the air bags.
2018 Audi RS 3 Recalls
4 recalls affect the 2018 Audi RS 3, involving the air bags and seats.
Every Audi RS 3 recall in detail
Equipment
- Affected years
- 2023 Audi RS 3
- Vehicles in this recall
- 297
- Reported
- Dec 7, 2022
- Owners notified
- Feb 24, 2023
Defect: 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."
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 22V901000.
Back Over Prevention
- Affected years
- 2022 Audi RS 3
- Vehicles in this recall
- 2,607
- Reported
- Nov 2, 2022
- Owners notified
- Feb 14, 2023
Defect: 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."
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 22V823000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2022 Audi RS 3
- Vehicles in this recall
- 4,117
- Reported
- Aug 29, 2022
- Owners notified
- Dec 13, 2022
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 22V652000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2017-2020 Audi RS 3
- Vehicles in this recall
- 153,152
- Reported
- Mar 22, 2021
- Owners notified
- Dec 23, 2021
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.
NHTSA campaign number 21V198000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2017-2019 Audi RS 3
- Vehicles in this recall
- 138,896
- Reported
- Jun 19, 2019
- Owners notified
- Sep 12, 2019
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.
NHTSA campaign number 19V474000.
Seats
- Affected years
- 2018 Audi RS 3
- Vehicles in this recall
- 3,326
- Reported
- Feb 13, 2019
- Owners notified
- Mar 7, 2019
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 19V095000.
Seats
- Affected years
- 2018 Audi RS 3
- Vehicles in this recall
- 169
- Reported
- Nov 14, 2018
- Owners notified
- Dec 28, 2018
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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).
NHTSA campaign number 18V803000.
Common questions about Audi RS 3 recalls
- Does the Audi RS 3 have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 7 recall campaigns on record for the Audi RS 3 across the 2017 to 2023 model years. The most common areas are the air bags, seats, and equipment.
- How many times has the Audi RS 3 been recalled?
- The Audi RS 3 has 7 recall campaigns from the 2017 to 2023 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious Audi RS 3 recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the air bags, affecting 153,152 vehicles. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Which Audi RS 3 model year has the most recalls?
- The 2018 Audi RS 3 has the most, with 4 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my Audi RS 3 has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.