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What 44 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Audi A3

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (44)Crash / fire / injury (2)Airbags (24)Fuel system (6)Electrical system (5)Engine (4)Tires (4)Transmission & drivetrain (4)Lights (2)Seats (2)Backup camera & sensors (1)Driver assistance (1)

4 of 44 complaints match · Tires · clear filters

Sep 21, 2025Tires

225/45-R18 DOT(17/22) On September 6, 2025, I purchased a 2018 Audi A3 (VIN [VIN], 56,634 miles) delivered by Carvana. Within days, I had the vehicle inspected at multiple independent repair shops. Each shop documented that all four tires showed dry rot and cracking and advised immediate replacement due to risk of tire failure. On September 10, 2025, I contacted Carvana and followed their warranty claim process. After escalation, on September 18, 2025, I was informed that Carvana determined “the tires are not bad enough” and denied replacement. The vehicle was delivered with unsafe tires that pose a serious risk of blowout or loss of vehicle control, endangering both the driver and others on the road. DOT date codes and photos of the cracks confirm the condition of the tires at the time of delivery. This complaint is being filed so NHTSA is aware of the issue and to request investigation into Carvana’s sale of vehicles with dry-rotted, unsafe tires.

NHTSA ODI 11688724

Oct 1, 2021Tires

Wife was driving and the tire suddenly lost pressure and she almost lost control. The tire sidewall had blown out and this is the second tire with the same problem.

NHTSA ODI 11435163

Jul 27, 2021Tires

During a trip the tire blew and separated at the sidewall. The vehicles tire pressure was correct and only had approximately 30,000 miles. The tires are the manufacturer installed Continental ProContact 225/40R18.

NHTSA ODI 11426592

Feb 15, 2019Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI A3 EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TX TIRES, SIZE: 225/40R18 92HXL (NA). WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE THREAD SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PAUL MILLER AUDI (179 US-46, PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054, (973) 575-7750) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED; HOWEVER, THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DEALER COULD SEND THE TIRE BACK TO THEM FOR REVIEW AND INSPECTION. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,101. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11180268

Working with the data? Download all 44 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2018 Audi A3 verdict →