BestCarRank
Audi

2019 Audi RS 3

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2019 Audi RS 3 has 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: 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 on.

9

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

3 complaints
33%
  • • 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 ON
  • • 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 m
  • • The water pump has failed twice in under 46,000 miles, first was at 3000 miles 2nd was at 46000 miles
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 ON”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

1 complaints
11%
  • • 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 ON
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 ON”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

1 complaints
11%
  • • 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 ON
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 ON”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

1 complaints
11%
  • • 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 w
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 w”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

1 complaints
11%
  • • [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 se
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“[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 se”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 9 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ENGINE: 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 ON

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: 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 ON

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: 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 ON

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    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 w

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Audi RS 3 — Year Comparison

How does 2019 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2019
9Excellent Reliability
2018
24Above Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2019 Audi RS 3

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