Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags7
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Exterior lighting1
- Wheels1
- Tires1
- Electrical system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Registered new in Europe in 2018
5,257 new Audi A3 Cabriolet cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2018; the largest markets were Germany (3,399), Italy (521), France (518).
- Average mass
- 1,500 kg
- Average CO₂
- 155 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 107 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 76% · Diesel 24%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet cars on Dutch roads are the 1.5 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp) and 1.4 petrol (85 kW, 114 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 139 |
| 1.4 petrol | 85 kW 114 hp | 70 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
238 first registered in 2018 are on Dutch roads; 65% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €50,119.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde117
- Band onvoldoende profiel38
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld27
- Band beschadigd20
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm16
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage14
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht7
- Retroreflector vertoont gebrek6
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 9.5 L/100 km (about 25 mpg US), CO₂ 223 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| A3 Cabriolet quattro · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 10.8 | 8.0 | 9.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The fuel hose quick connector may detach from the fuel supply line in the engine bay, resulting in a fuel leak.
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet and A3 Sedan vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may misinterpret the flywheel rotation on engine start-up as a "knocking" condition, and the adjusted air/fuel mixture may result in an engine stall.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Audi told its dealers about the 2018 Audi A3 Cabriolet: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011310 | This TSB provides information when the message "High beam assist and/or traffic sign recognition currently unavailable - camera view restricted due to surroundings". |
| 11011303 | This bulletin provides information when the anti-theft alarm activates for no reason, or when the anti-theft alarm does not activate. |
| 11011296 | This bulletin provides service-info relating to lithium-ion high-voltage batteries; determining energy content. |
| 11011285 | This TSB Provides information when parking assistance provides false warnings. |
| 11011282 | This bulletin provides information when speaker rattles, vibrations, or audio interference is noted. |
| 11011263 | This bulletin provides information regarding cleaning exterior glass. |
| 11011241 | This bulletin provides information when the engine warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster, and the vehicle has reduced power. DTCs P256300, P056E00, P00AF00. |
| 11011240 | This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool |
| 11009983 | Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available |
| 11009941 | This bulletin provides diagnostic information regarding the locking system. |
| 11009939 | This bulletin provides information when a cracking noise is heard fron the front or rear end of the vehicle when changing direction. |
| 11009928 | This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds. |
| 11009375 | This bulletin provides information pertaining to the GFF test plan required for A/C compressore replacements, regardless of the concern. |
| 11009372 | This bulletin provides informaiton when the exterior black optic trim is discolored. |
| 11009365 | This bulletin provides information when there is visible corrosion at the joint between the roof and roof side member. |
| 11009362 | This bulletin provides information when there is a prompt to take over steering; hands off detection. |
| 11009361 | This bulletin provides information regarding steering wheel visual damage. |
| 11009356 | This bulletin provides informaion regarding zirconium inserts in the bake piston for vehicle equipped with ceramic brakes. |
| 11009355 | This bulletin provides information when there are rattling/grindingn oises from the front end/brake system. |
| 11009354 | This bulletin provides information on frequency analysis. |
| 11009351 | This bulletin provides information regarding the general approach to brakes rubbing. |
| 11009348 | This bulleitn provides information when there is an implausible signal in the ABS/ESC speed sensor. |
| 11009347 | This bulletin provides information when there are vibrations and rotational steering wheel vibrations. |
| 11009333 | This bulletin provides information when there is a cracking noise from the front end when changing direction. |
| 11009327 | This bulletin provides information when ther is an Engine: start/stop system fault shown and start/stop system not is working; mileage below 50 km/32 miles. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation