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Audi RS3 quattro common faults.

2021–2024, saloon, petrol, 400 HP.

The fault list covers: DNWC engine.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

2 fault write-ups. 1 important. 4 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

1 important faults

expensive1

The crankcase breather of the five-cylinder 2.5 TFSI leads the oil vapour into the intake, and the stub of the diverter valve sits directly next to it. When the diverter valve opens on lifting off, it carries the oil vapour along, and the vapour condenses in the air filter housing, because the stub is right in front of the housing. The oil therefore collects on the filter element and in the bottom of the housing, the amount grows with use, and under load oil mist comes out of the intake pipe as well. The consequence is twofold: measurable oil consumption, and oil reaching the intake speeds up the carbon build-up on the intake valves, which is already heavy here because of the direct injection. This is not a broken part but where the line runs, so it shows up around 40,000 km already, and earlier on a car used hard. The repair is rerouting the breather or fitting a catch can, 200 to 600 euro.

above 40,000 km200–600 EUR

What to check

  • Take the air filter housing lid off and look at the filter element and the bottom of the housing
  • Wipe the inside of the intake pipe with a finger: an oily film belongs here
  • Ask whether a catch can has been fitted or the breather has been rerouted
2 more steps in the write-up

comfort1

On the MQB evo generation the MIB3 touchscreen freezes, restarts on its own, and sometimes stays black. In the What Car? survey, 59 per cent of 8Y A3 owners reported a fault, and 44 per cent of those concerned the infotainment. Volume and temperature are set on touch sliders instead of physical buttons, and if the system hangs you cannot adjust them while driving either.

Show the rest

The maker released several software updates. Many cases are resolved by them, but not all. The update is free and fault finding is not, so before you buy, check whether the latest version has been installed.

What to check

  • Switch the system on and let it run for at least 10 to 15 minutes during the test drive
  • Try everything: navigation, Bluetooth, phone mirroring, reversing camera, radio
  • Set the volume and the climate with the slider: does it hang, is the response delayed
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Audi RS3 quattro

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall4 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 10 September 2021

A12/01389/21Safety recallInjuries10 September 2021 · EU Safety Gate

The bolt of the pressure-input shaft situated between the electromechanical brake servo and the brake pedal may come loose. As a result, the mechanical connection between the brake pedal and the brake servo would no longer be guaranteed, increasing the risk of an accident. In the event of an emergency, the vehicle can be immobilised by activating the electronic parking brake. The product does not meet the requirements set out in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 10/09/2021

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00667/22Safety recallFire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The fuse in the high-voltage (HV) system may have been produced with an insufficient amount of extinguishing sand. In the event of a short circuit in the high-voltage system, a voltage flashover could occur inside the vehicle and subsequently pose a risk of fire and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/01247/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Deviations in the manufacturing process may result in either of the front seat belt reels not achieving full restraint, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/01381/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Improper folding of the airbag may impede the deployment of the passenger side airbag in the event of an accident. A rip could occur in the airbag leading to insufficient protection, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

DNWC

294 kW (400 HP) · petrol

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
quattro
Body
saloon
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
2480 cc
Power
294 kW (400 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2021–2024

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years
  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years
  • Engine oil and oil filter

    • LongLife30,000 km or 2 years(valid only with LongLife-approved oil)
    • 15,000 km or 1 year
  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)
  • Coolant (antifreeze) change

    • first: 193,000 km or 10 years, then 97,000 km or 5 years(G13 / G12++: first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles or 5 years)
  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 years

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms