MODEL
Audi Rs3 Safety
NHTSA safety across every Audi Rs3 model year we cover.
Across the 1 model year of the Audi Rs3 we cover (2019 to 2019), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2019 at 79 on the NHTSA Safety Index. 1 recall have been issued across those years.
The Audi RS3 is a high-performance compact sedan slotting into the competitive sport sedan segment, aimed at enthusiasts who want explosive straight-line performance and premium German engineering in a relatively compact package. The 2019 model year represents the only year in our coverage window, making this a narrow but focused safety snapshot of one of Audi's most driver-focused four-door offerings.
The 2019 Audi RS3 enters the market with a significant gap in its federal crash-test profile. NHTSA did not assign star ratings for frontal or side impact protection, leaving a notable void in the structural safety assessment. The absence of these scores means prospective owners lack key data points that inform confidence in crashworthiness. The only direct crash-test result available is the rollover rating, which stands at 4 out of 5 stars. This indicates a reasonable degree of stability for the RS3, consistent with its design as a low-slung performance sedan. However, this single metric cannot compensate for the missing frontal and side impact data. Buyers must not interpret the absence of these ratings as an indication of strong performance; rather, it represents untested categories. On the recall front, the 2019 RS3 shows a positive record, with a single recall issued across its coverage window. This is a modest figure for any vehicle. Owner complaints are similarly low, totaling just 5 filings. Crucially, these complaints include zero reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths. While owner complaints are unverified, their low volume suggests no widespread safety concerns have been raised by the ownership base. The 2019 Audi RS3 earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 79 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. This score, combined with the incomplete crash-test data, suggests a safety profile that is not alarming but warrants careful consideration. Safety-focused buyers should weigh the untested crash categories seriously when evaluating this vehicle.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally celebrate the RS3 for its turbocharged performance, all-wheel-drive grip, and premium interior quality, treating it as a standout in the compact performance sedan class. Most praise its driving dynamics and refinement, though some note that its focus leans heavily toward performance rather than practicality or everyday comfort.
- NHTSA did not assign frontal or side crash-test star ratings for the 2019 RS3, leaving significant gaps in the federal safety testing picture that shoppers cannot fill with assumptions.
- The 2019 RS3 earned a 4 out of 5 star rollover rating from NHTSA, which is the only direct crash-test data point available for this model year.
- One recall is on record for the 2019 model year. Shoppers should verify whether any open recall work has been completed on a specific vehicle before purchase using NHTSA's VIN lookup tool.
- Owner complaints total just 5 across our coverage window, with no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths among those filings, suggesting the existing owner base has not flagged widespread safety concerns. These complaints are unverified allegations.
Most-recalled year on record: 2019 Audi Rs3 with 1 recalls.