What are the most common problems with the 2019 Audi RS 3?

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (3 complaints), followed by air bags (1).

How many 2019 Audi RS 3 complaints mention a crash or fire?

0 of 5 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2019 Audi RS 3 recalls and problems

2 recalls and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2019 Audi RS 3.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2019 Audi RS 3 recalls

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification, front passenger · Air bags: on-off switch assembly

NHTSA campaign 21V198000 · reported March 22, 2021 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 153,152 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The 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.

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification

NHTSA campaign 19V474000 · reported June 19, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 138,896 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Engine3
Air bags1
Back over prevention1
Electrical system1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Power train1
Unknown or other1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 3, 2025 · Engine
The water pump has failed twice in under 46,000 miles, first was at 3000 miles 2nd was at 46000 miles

Mar 26, 2025 · Back over prevention
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…

Oct 16, 2024 · Fuel/propulsion system
[…] 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…

Nov 19, 2021 · Air bags
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…

Mar 9, 2021 · Electrical system · 5 miles
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. CONSUMER STATED ELECTRONIC OIL SENSOR MIGHT HAVE NEVER WORKED. DIPSTICK WAS LOW, THE ONLY LIGHT IS DRIVE TRAIN…

RS 3 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2017	2	1
2018	4	13
2019	2	5
2020	1	1
2022	2	0

All Audi RS 3 years →

Questions

Does the 2019 Audi RS 3 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2019 Audi RS 3, the most recent reported on March 22, 2021 (Air bags: sensor, occupant classification, front passenger, Air bags: on-off switch assembly). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Audi RS 3?: Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (3 complaints), followed by air bags (1).
How many 2019 Audi RS 3 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 0 of 5 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 3, 2025.