How Reliable is the Audi Q3?

The 2 Most Common Q3 Problems

We've pulled together a list of the most widespread problems that Q3 owners have to deal with.

Busted Timing Chains

Audi's EA888 2.0-liter engine has a history of tensioner problems in its timing chain. The loose chain is to blame for multiple occurances of catastrophic engine failure. Audi was forced to offer settlement offers, including an extended war…

Sunroof Leaks

Multiple defects with the sunroof drainage system are causing massive amounts of leak problems for Audi owners. The water is soaking headliners, creating unsafe amounts of condensation, and short circuiting sensitive electronic components. …

What Q3 Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

2016 Q3 windshield breaks 1 (100%)
2015 Q3 antenna issue 1 (100%)
2015 Q3 stopped working while driving 1 (100%)
2015 Q3 TPMS is not working 1 (100%)

Worst Topics

Electrical 1 (100%)
Transmission 1 (100%)
Interior 1 (100%)
Windows 1 (100%)

Worst Years

2015 3 (100%)
2016 1 (33%)
2017 0 (0%)
2018 0 (0%)
2019 0 (0%)

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Q3 Generations

Generations are groups of model years where few, if any, changes were made to the vehicle which means their model years tend to break in similar ways. The Q3 has 2 generations available in North American markets.

2nd Generation Q3 (2019–2020)

PainRank^™: N/A
Complaints: 0
Reliability: N/A

1st Generation Q3 (2015–2018)

PainRank^™: 1.37
Complaints: 4
Reliability: 25th out of 66

By the Numbers

4 complaints
Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.
483 service bulletins
Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.
4 recall campaigns
Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Timeline of Recent Q3 News

Audi is recalling 350 Q3 SUVs because the backing plates holding the brakes together can fall off during a sudden stop. They also say the pressure could just cause the plates to bend but it doesn't really inspire much stopping confidence either way. All the affected vehicles are from the 2020 model year.
Posted on
December 29, 2020
Tagged
#recall
Source
carcomplaints.com
One ~~lucky~~ 2020 Q3 owner just received word their driver's seat may not have been properly bolted down and needs to be recalled. Everyone else's is fine. So at the holiday table tomorrow let's raise a glass and be thankful we're not them. And here's hoping that owner helps themselves to an extra slice of pie.
Posted on
November 24, 2020
Tagged
#recall
Source
carcomplaints.com
A Virginia based lawsuit says Audi's start-stop system suffers from defects that cause delayed acceleration or lurching that can put occupants in danger. The plaintiffs say that Audi HQ and dealerships will just tell owners to deactivate the start-stop system if they don't like it, but the system starts up automatically each time the ignition is pressed and must be manually deactivated by pressing a separate burden. Something the case refers to as a inconvenience and mandatory burden that is not disclosed to the Class Members ar the time of the sale.
Posted on
August 26, 2020
Tagged
#lawsuit
Source
carcomplaints.com
The lead plaintiff in a proposed leaky sunroof class-action has requested a voluntary dismissal of the entire case, without prejudice. This is New Jersey we're talking about here, so it's not out of bounds to think the plaintiff was told "that's a nice car you've got there, it'd be a shame if something happened to it." Or maybe they just a free fix under the table and that was good enough for them.
Posted on
August 6, 2020
Tagged
#lawsuit
Source
carcomplaints.com
There's a serious defect with VW Group's panomaric sunroofs. So a class-action lawsuits wants to know when are they going to do something about it? The NJ based suit says a difference in the expansion rate between the plastic water channels and steel reinforcement plates may cause stress cracks to occur at the edges of the reinforcement plates, more than wide enough to let water seep in.
Posted on
April 12, 2020
Tagged
#lawsuit
Source
carcomplaints.com

See All Q3 News