This informational bulletin explains how the temporary/collapsible spare wheel inflates.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Audi A3 tires problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Audi A3 have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the tires at roughly $150 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See tires across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$150
| Model year | tires complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 A3 | 4 |
| 2018 A3 (this page) | 4 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA tires complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering tires on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Added new graphic to reflect where to find MY 21 information
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains information on why the TPMS message 'Tire pressure: malfunction!' appears without DTCs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗New document 2004-2020 A4 allroad, A6 allroad, A8L, R8 Spyder
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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.
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…
Had tires trouble with your 2018 Audi A3?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the tires problem on the 2018 Audi A3?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $150 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the tires typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, tires issues most often appear around 8,101 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $150 for tires repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to tires?
No active recalls currently cover tires issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Audi/A3.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.