Used Car Checklists

2018 Audi e-tron: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the airbags. The 4 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

Audi e-tron2018
Owner complaints
12
Recalls
6
Crashes reported
0
Reliability
Mixed
50/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Run the VIN before you go

A history report shows accidents, title brands, odometer readings, and open recalls for this 2018 Audi e-tron. Ask the seller for the VIN; it is also on the dash at the base of the windshield.

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.

Reported on neighboring e-tron years

Nearby years usually share most parts, so their problems are worth checking on this car too.

2019 e-tron

71 owner complaints
  • Electrical 27
  • Transmission 9
  • Fuel system 6

Worth adding to your 2018 checks

  • Run the VIN for open recalls and get written proof of whether the high-voltage battery recall work is complete.
  • Check whether charging is software-capped below full and compare the displayed range at full charge against what the seller claims.
  • Ask for service records showing any front or rear motor replacement for coolant intrusion or electrical malfunction warnings.
Open the 2019 checklist

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Audi e-tron, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

  • Airbags7No crashes

    No air bag failures are described. All 7 complaints concern open recall notices that dealers cannot complete because the replacement parts are not available. Owners say the wait has run longer than is reasonable, and both dealers and the manufacturer confirm the shortage when asked. Every report says the car has not had a failure, so these filings describe no crash, fire, or loss-of-control event. The problem is a recall repair that has not been done, not a part that broke.

How the 2018 compares with other e-tron years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2018 ranks seventh for owner complaints among 8 e-tron years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2018 Average of other years
  • Airbags70

Recalls to confirm (6)

Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

  1. 21V198000AirbagsMar 2021

    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.

    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.

  2. 19V474000AirbagsJun 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.

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

    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.

  3. 19V095000SeatsFeb 2019

    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.

    Fix: 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.

  4. 18V863000Fuel systemDec 2018

    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.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the engine compartment can increase the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the fuel line connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BK.

  5. 18V803000SeatsNov 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.

    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.

    Fix: 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).

  6. 17V508000EngineAug 2017

    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.

    Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24DF.

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