The 2018 Audi A3 e-Tron isn’t known for having a lot of problems, but some customers experience issues with the car’s infotainment system and the passenger-side airbag.

With all the luxuries and comforts of a larger sedan, the A3 e-Tron hatchback also offers car buyers some serious savings in terms of fuel costs. Getting a generous 83 mpg-e, it only has one rival in its class—the pricier

BMW 330e

. It’s hard to beat the convenience of good fuel efficiency in a compact vehicle, but before you buy a used Audi A3 e-Tron—it has a few problems you should know about.

Here to break down Audi A3 e-Tron issues is

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. Keep reading to learn about the common complaints reported by drivers and manufacturer recalls that apply to the A3 e-Tron. If you're also looking for the best

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The most common 2018 Audi A3 e-Tron problems

Let’s get the good news out of the way first—in contrast with other cars from the same model year, the 2018 Audi A3 e-Tron has comparatively few issues. While this means that most drivers are satisfied with the vehicle, Audi has issued six recalls for the plug-in hatchback since its release. Fortunately, when a vehicle is recalled, you can bring it to a dealership to have it repaired at no cost to you.

The biggest problem with the A3 e-Tron has to do with its passenger-side airbag. Due to electrical issues, the car’s occupant detection system may switch itself off even when the seat is occupied.

This is incredibly dangerous for anyone riding in the car’s passenger seat since it means that the airbag may not deploy in the event of an accident—but Audi took responsibility for this manufacturing error and issued two recalls to resolve the problem. If you own a 2018 Audi A3 e-Tron and weren’t aware of these recalls, simply bring your car to your local Audi dealership to have it fixed for free.

Here are the four other recalls that apply to the 2018 Audi A3 e-Tron:

An issue with the car’s engine control unit software may misinterpret the engine’s flywheel rotation, causing the car to stall.

The rear seat guide sleeves were incorrectly welded, increasing the risk of injury in an accident.

A problem with how the fuel hose was installed can cause a leak in the car’s engine compartment that may lead to a fire.

The rear center seat headrest may be missing its latch pins, making it likely to detach in the event of an accident.

While these are all serious issues that should be addressed as soon as possible, keep in mind that because the manufacturer acknowledged them by issuing recalls—you can get them fixed free of charge as long as you bring your vehicle to a qualified Audi service center.

Major recalls aside, here are some of the 2018 Audi A3 e-Tron’s minor problems you should be aware of:

The infotainment system can be unintuitive compared to other cars.

Using the heated seats slightly reduces the car’s electric-only mileage.

These problems are more annoyances rather than serious mechanical issues, but it’s good to be aware of them—especially if you’re considering buying a used Audi A3 e-Tron in 2022.

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Is the 2018 Audi A3 e-Tron reliable?

Although the 2018 Audi A3 e-Tron has some issues, it’s generally considered a dependable car. Edmunds.com considers the A3 e-Tron above-average in terms of reliability, and J.D Power gave it a rating of 86/100. You should be aware, however, that the J.D. Power rating applies to all

Audi A3

models, not the e-Tron specifically. YourMechanic.com offers the most impressive reliability rating for the A3 e-Tron, awarding it a score of 4.8/5.

It’s also worth noting that CarComplaints.com only recorded 25 complaints for the 2018 Audi A3. That’s pretty respectable, especially when compared with the

Honda Accord

, and its whopping 1,185 complaints for the 2018 model year.

MORE:

The top 10 cheapest luxury cars to insure

How to simplify car insurance shopping

If you own a 2018 Audi A3 e-Tron, you probably appreciate the considerable fuel efficiency and savings you get from driving a plug-in hybrid. And while hybrid vehicles can cut costs at the fuel pump,

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