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2020 Audi RS3

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 RS3.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S7)

The 2020 Audi RS3 pairs a seven-speed automated-manual transmission with an engine requiring 7.5 quarts of 0W-30 oil, posting EPA ratings of 19 mpg city, 28 highway, and 23 combined. With just a single owner complaint logged — centered on the engine — and one recall on record, this model year sits at a notably quiet point in the RS3's reliability history, suggesting that whatever broader concerns may have surfaced across the nameplate, the 2020 appears largely unburdened by them. For a researcher sorting model years by problem frequency, that minimal complaint volume makes the 2020 a relatively low-risk data point in the lineup's track record.

Model year202620252024202320222020

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/28/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 06D115562. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP235/35R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rimNS inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06D115562
Engine air filter3Q0129620A
Spark plug06K905601M
Battery000915089BD
Front wiper blades8V1998002A
Thermostat07K121111E
Cabin air filter5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.4 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height55.1 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3505 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 28 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume86 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RS3 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.5–3.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.50 sec — 2017 RS 3 Quattro Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019RS 3 Quattro Sedan 2.5L Turbo I-53.70 sec12.20 sec394 hpAWD
2017RS 3 Quattro Sedan 2.5L Turbo I-53.50 sec11.90 sec400 hpAWD
2017RS 3 Quattro Sedan 2.5L Turbo I-53.60 sec12.10 sec400 hpAWD
2017RS 3 Quattro Sedan 2.5L Turbo I-53.70 sec12.10 sec400 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.5 qt of 0W-30 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil0W-30
Engine Oil Capacity7.5 qt

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1071 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
145.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°45 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 15.026 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire Repair Kit Sealant (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBody Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 40,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Federal data for the Audi RS3 generation reveals a strong downward trend in reported issues, with complaints falling from 13 in 2018 to 5 in 2019, and recalls decreasing from 4 to 2 over the same period. The 2020 model year sits at the most favorable point of this improving arc, registering only a single complaint regarding the engine and noting zero crash or fire incidents. While the data does not specify the root cause of that lone engine complaint, the significant decline in overall volume from the 2018 launch year suggests early-production defects were effectively resolved. Additionally, technical service bulletins rose from 522 in 2018 to 559 in 2019, reflecting proactive manufacturer updates despite the drop in major faults. Positioned as the most refined iteration in the dataset, the 2020 RS3 is an excellent used buy based on its minimal federal complaint and recall footprint.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
561
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 561 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_2074640_32026-06-26EngineThis bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2074729_32026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2059335_72026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…
TSB_2064983_152026-06-22Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when there are pixel faults on the virtual cockpit.
TSB_2082323_12026-06-10EngineThis bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RS3. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 7.5 qtEngine oil filter 06D115562Engine air filter 3Q0129620ASpark plug 06K905601MBattery 000915089BD

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2020 RS3 take?

7.5 qt of 0W-30 VW 504 00 Audi High Performance Genuine Engine Oil., per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 RS3 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RS3 get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.