What's Wrong with the 1st Generation (2015–2018) Q3?

Q3 owners have made 4 complaints about the 2015–2018 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 25th out of 39 Audi generations in overall reliability, with real electrical and transmission concerns.

Compare With Other Q3 Generations

Common 2015-2018 Audi Q3 Problems

Some of the worst issues 1st generation Q3 owners have to deal with.

  1. 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…

    Continue reading article "Busted Timing Chains" View of engine timing chain

  2. 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. …

    Continue reading article "Sunroof Leaks" Poorly drawn blue box outlining damage made to the headliner from rain leaking in through the sunroof.

What 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

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

1st Generation (2015–2018) Q3 Key Numbers

  1. 4 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 4 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 25th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 39 eligible generations.

Recent 1st Generation (2015–2018) Q3 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. 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.…

    keep reading article "Audi Sunroof Lawsuit Suddenly Dropped by Lead Plaintiff 🤔"

  2. 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.…

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Claims Audi's Sunroofs Have Defective Drainage Systems"

  3. A sunroof class-action lawsuit has been proposed for all California Audi owners and lessees with defective, leaky panoramic sunroofs.

    It's widely believed that VW Group, parent company of Audi, used sunroof drainage systems with a serious defect. A difference in expansion rates is causing the plastic water channel to crack were it meets steel reiforcement plates. The water then heads through the crack and into the interior.…

    keep reading article "California Audi Owners Are Tired of Leaky Sunroofs Damaging their Interiors"

  5. A proposed class-action filed in the Easter District of NY is fed up with Audi (and it's parent company Volkswagen Group) denying warranty claims for leaky, panoramic sunroofs.

    The lawsuit lists a long line of TSBs that talk about problems with the sunroof drainage systems. They even give dealerships tips on how to repair the issue on unsold inventory, but they won't honor warranty claims asking for the same repair.…

    keep reading article "Audi's Warranty is Useless For Leaky Sunroofs, Says Lawsuit"