Audi Q3 Complaints

244 consumer complaints on file.

#11773812October 26, 2026
ENGINE
I purchased my 2023 Audi Q3 brand-new in March 2023. The vehicle currently has approximately 92,000 miles and has received regular oil changes and routine maintenance. While stopped at a red light, I experienced a sudden loss of propulsion. When the light turned green, I attempted to accelerate, but the vehicle would not move despite remaining in Drive with the engine running. I had to turn the vehicle completely off and restart it before it would move again. There were no check engine lights or dashboard warnings indicating a problem. I also began experiencing an unusual rattling noise coming from the engine. I brought the vehicle to an Audi dealership for inspection, where I was informed that metal debris had been discovered in the engine. The dealership recommended trading in the vehicle rather than repairing it, but did not provide a repair estimate or identify the underlying cause. At the time of the inspection, I only reported the rattling noise, so the loss-of-propulsion incident has not yet been evaluated by the dealership. I am concerned that this vehicle could unexpectedly fail to move again, particularly in traffic or at an intersection, creating a potential collision risk. Given the vehicle's age, maintenance history, and the severity of these issues, I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this represents a potential vehicle safety defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773542October 25, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Load Gas smell coming from front and inside of car. No leaks on ground under car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771437October 15, 2026
POWER TRAIN, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Supplemental update: Software patch failed to resolve safety defects. Post-update road test triggered a multi-system network cascade collapse across platform architecture. Symptoms include erratic turn signal hyper-blinking, cockpit blanking flashes, continuous speaker crackling with audio turned off, power memory seat failure, and mechanical rear differential clucking in reverse. Post-drive ODIS scan tool recorded active/static faults across primary safety modules: 1. Address 0022 (AWD Electronics) Fault U112100 Static: Total communication dropout to AWD module, disabling traction frameworks under load. 2. Address 0019 (Gateway Interface) Fault B184C00 Active: Cybersecurity firewall locked open in a continuous loop, causing data bus noise. 3. Diagnostic Filtering Block Fault U17A00 Static: Data prioritizing filter disabled, preventing timing signal regulation. 4. Address 0013 (Distance Radar) Fault U112200 Sporadic: Network corruption to Adaptive Cruise and Pre-Sense collision mitigation radar. 5. Address 0009 (Central Electronics) Fault U110B00: Loss of digital contact with primary exterior/interior lighting controls. 6. Address 006C (Peripheral Camera) & 8125 (Video Parking): Concurrent sensor dropouts completely disabling surroundings view and backup cameras. Data congestion is so severe the factory tool returned blank question marks (?) across master verification tests. Local service manager verbally admitted they lack a factory test plan or instructions from corporate to fix these errors, yet both dealership and corporate are applying pressure to force pickup, claiming the car is repaired based on the administrative closure of the software patch. The vehicle is electronically unstable and presents an unpredictable risk of sudden highway limp-mode engine shutdown, collision mitigation failure, and compromised airbag deployment timing. Grounded under an open Repair Order.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771469October 15, 2026
SUSPENSION
RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM ROTTED OUT AND CAUSED CAR TO LOSE CONTROL AROUND A CORNER 0NTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT SERVICE CENTER FOUND BOTH REAR LOWER ARMS TO BE BADLY ROTTED AWAY AND NEEDING REPLACEMENT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770341October 10, 2026
ENGINE
I am convinced that the defective cooling system for which there was a class action lawsuit against Audi that included the Q3 through year 2021 persists in the Audi Q3 year 2022. I purchased my Audi Q3 year 2022 in October 2021. Early in my ownership experience I reported to the Dealership that the coolant indicator light flashes on when driving on the highway, but it was explained away as a matter for which not to worry. So, I became accustomed to the indicator light flashing on until the message to turn off engine and check coolant level also appeared and I experienced the exorbitant out-of-pocket repair amount of $2,656.14 to replace the water pump and thermostat unit. The Defect: The plastic/thermoplastic water pump, thermostat housing, and integrated coolant modules are prone to cracking or leaking internally from thermal cycling, leading to coolant loss and potential engine overheating.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769677October 7, 2026
STEERING
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q3. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 2 MPH, the vehicle started shaking, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The steering wheel was shaking and became uncontrollable, and the vehicle crashed into a parked BMW. Upon research, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V590000 (Steering). The driver left a message. The driver of the BMW was gone when the driver returned. There was damages to the parked BMW.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765584September 19, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The primary infotainment control modules, central gateway network loop system, and driver assistance networks failed intermittently, and the entire vehicle is fully available for physical inspection upon request. Safety was severely compromised as the main infotainment display screen suffered sudden, total blackouts while actively driving forward and reversing, causing an immediate, simultaneous loss of both the visual backup camera feed and the audible proximity safety warning beeps. This system-wide failure leaves the driver entirely blind and deaf to hazards or vehicles behind them during reverse operation. The localized electrical and module communication problems were partially reproduced and confirmed by an authorized dealership service center, which pulled a stored fault memory code for network communication loss (U110B00) and confirmed the audio speaker crackling and accelerator pedal noise. The vehicle has been physically inspected by the authorized manufacturer dealership's shop foreman and technicians during an active service visit. Prior to the total component dropouts, the vehicle exhibited erratic, unprompted dimming of the exterior blind spot warning lights, alongside rapid turn signal indicator speed anomalies inside the cabin. Furthermore, the system continuously loops contradictory dashboard warning messages including “driver assistance systems are limited,” “voice database needs an update,” and “your phone is paired,” combined with total system amnesia where custom user safety configurations and programmed power memory seat settings instantly revert to factory defaults upon cycling the ignition. These warning symptoms and multi-module network anomalies first appeared immediately upon vehicle delivery at extremely low mileage and have grown progressively worse.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764695September 16, 2026
STEERING
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V590000 (Steering); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763399September 10, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Description of Safety Failure:I am writing to report a recurring, premature safety failure of the fuel delivery system that poses an immediate risk of engine stalling at highway speeds. The original factory fuel pump failed at approximately 75,000 miles and required replacement. A brand-new replacement fuel pump has now failed prematurely just 30,000 miles later (at 114,000 total vehicle miles).This vehicle's specific failure pattern perfectly mirrors the structural vacuum, pressure regulation, and fuel pump failure modes explicitly detailed in active federal safety campaign NHTSA Recall 22V673000 (Audi Recall 20DS) regarding a damaged internal tank vent pipe.When running this vehicle's VIN through the NHTSA database, it currently states "0 Unrepaired Recalls." This indicates that my specific vehicle was excluded from the original manufacturing batch of 13,004 affected vehicles. However, given that multiple fuel pumps are being rapidly destroyed by localized fuel delivery pressure failure, it is clear that the scope of Campaign 22V673000 was drawn too narrowly by Volkswagen Group of America. I am requesting that the NHTSA review this complaint to investigate an expansion of the fuel tank recall to include this vehicle block before an unaddressed tank defect causes a catastrophic highway stall. This vehicle also had two EVSP leak detection pumps replaced 3 months after the first fuel pump of August 2025 which was November 2025. When asked about a recall the service manager and Audi Corporate says my vehicle has no recalls and does not even acknowledge that this issue could possibly be apart of the 13,000 vehicle made in 2021 and 2022, being that my vehicle is going through a fuel month every year or so. Why would three fuel pumps be installed in one vehicle in 4 years. Please help me in understanding this. They have replaced a total of 3 fuel pumps and they lied to say one when they had.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11762839September 8, 2026
SUSPENSION
The rear subframe broke while driving due to rust and corrosion causing the driver side rear wheel to be at an acute angle which caused the car to wobble all over the road. The car is currently not safe to drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761418September 1, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING, WHEELS
I am submitting this complaint because I have experienced serious safety-related concerns involving Audi vehicles, and I am extremely concerned that these issues could result in a serious accident, injury, or loss of life. My personal vehicle is a **2024 Audi Q3**, which has experienced safety-related problems involving the braking system, wheel/speed sensors, parking recognition system, and other related vehicle safety and driver-assistance systems. I also want to report a separate and extremely serious incident involving an **Audi loaner vehicle that was provided to me by the Audi dealership while my 2024 Audi Q3 was being repaired**. While I was driving the Audi loaner vehicle, **the wheel/wheel assembly came off the vehicle while it was in motion**. This was an extremely dangerous situation that could have resulted in a catastrophic accident, serious injury, or death. The loaner Audi has a different VIN from my 2024 Audi Q3. I do not currently have that VIN available, but the dealership should have records identifying the exact loaner vehicle that was assigned to me while my Q3 was being repaired. I am reporting both situations because I believe these safety concerns need to be properly documented and investigated. A wheel coming off a vehicle while it is being driven, along with the braking, wheel/sensor, parking-recognition, and related safety concerns I have experienced with my own Audi, raises very serious concerns for me. I do not want another driver or family to experience something similar. These are not simply convenience or cosmetic issues. They involve systems and components that can directly affect the safe operation and control of a vehicle and potentially put people's lives at risk. I respectfully request that NHTSA review these incidents and determine whether further investigation is warranted. I am willing to provide repair records, dealership communications, photographs, accident information, service records, and any other documentation. Thanks
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11761165August 31, 2026
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
I was driving down the highway, roughly 60mph, when my yellow tire pressure warning light came on. The car did not feel any different while driving. I drove for another 5-10 mins when suddenly my car jerked to the left. I let off the gas and slowed to a safe spot to park. That was when I started to smell burning rubber, after I parked I got out and that was when I noticed I was riding on the rim with no tire. Tire is 255/45/R19
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11760826August 31, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Vehicle is a new 2026 Audi Q3 S Line quattro with recurring electronic system failures affecting safety-related functions, beginning on or about April 11, 2026. The vehicle has repeatedly displayed “Driver assistance systems are limited” and related driver-assist warnings with no environmental cause (clear weather, clean windshield), indicating intermittent dropout of camera/radar-based safety systems including collision avoidance and lane assist. The digital instrument cluster — the sole speedometer display — intermittently cuts out and shows grey static, temporarily depriving the driver of speed and warning information while driving. The infotainment/compute system exhibits broader instability: navigation hangs indefinitely at “Initializing navigation” (documented on video, which also shows two system clocks displaying different times simultaneously), random audio pops with no media playing, embedded cellular connectivity repeatedly dropping, and Bluetooth/CarPlay phone connections failing when answering or placing calls, which encourages handheld phone use while driving. Failures are intermittent and have recurred across drive cycles for several months. I believe these represent a software defect in the vehicle’s electronic platform affecting FMVSS-relevant systems, consistent with owner reports on other Audi models sharing this software generation. Video and photo documentation available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759155August 24, 2026
ENGINE
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2017 Audi Q3 Premium Plus, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle is experiencing excessive engine oil consumption requiring frequent addition of oil. I reported the oil-consumption problem shortly after purchasing the vehicle. Audi Coral Springs recently diagnosed the vehicle and recommended substantial repairs. The dealership identified a crankcase breather/PCV condition causing oil to enter the intake system and also recommended replacement of the timing chain. The total recommended repairs are approximately $10,000. Audi's current diagnostic scan also identified multiple camshaft/timing-related engine fault codes, including P0011 (camshaft timing over-advanced/system performance), P0341 (camshaft position sensor range/performance), and P000A (camshaft position slow response). I am concerned about continuing to operate this vehicle because the engine is consuming oil at an abnormal rate. If the oil level or oil pressure becomes critically low while the vehicle is being driven, I am concerned about engine damage, engine failure or loss of power while driving and the potential for an engine-related fire. Of particular concern, while researching the vehicle's history I found a previous NHTSA complaint associated with this same VIN describing excessive oil consumption involving the pistons and/or piston rings and expressing concern that the condition could result in an engine fire. That complaint also described EPC/check-engine/low-oil-pressure warnings and stated that approximately $10,000 in repairs had been quoted. I am now experiencing excessive oil consumption in the same vehicle and same VIN, and I have also received an approximately $10,000 repair recommendation. I am requesting that NHTSA review this complaint together with the prior complaint associated with VIN [XXX] and determine whether the repeated excessive-oil-consumption condition in this vehicle. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757502August 17, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Driving 75 MPH in heavy freeway traffic with no for warning at all, my car initiated auto breaking violently tightening my seatbelt two times. The steeringwheel was was also jerking left, and right like the car wasn’t sure what to do.I had both hands on the steering wheel. And was trying to stop it. The car would not allow me to take over her control. Myself and was coming to a stop. I looked into the rearview mirror worried for my life and found amazingly that nobody was directly behind me. The car’s horn was honking. The hazards were flashing. It was all kinds of lights on the dash not sure exactly what they works. It all happens so fast one seem to have had a lightning bolt and an SOS med alert of some kind. This felt like it lasted 30 seconds but in hindsight, it was probably only 3 to 5 seconds as so much was processing in my brain. My wife was freaking out as it also pulled her back into her seat very violently twice the car felt like it was totally gonna fall apart in the dead middle of the freeway it would not let me control, gas brake or steering as it was getting slower and slower almost to stop. I tried to turn it to the right to get to the shoulder of the freeway. It fought me, but I was able to get it off to the side of the road once I was on the side of the road and came to a complete stop. The horn stopped honking The lights quit flashing everything on the instrument cluster went normal and the cars radio turned back on like nothing had happened. This was the most frightening experience ever as when it occurred. I was in busy freeway traffic, extremely unsafe and terrifying luckily no accident, this could have been so much worse and it could’ve caused so much to those around me not just my family and I in the car but other lives could’ve been in jeopardy as well on the freeway. After contemplating what to do I reluctantly went to the next exit which was within a 1000ft then straight to the Audi dealership in Leighton, Utah. I have filed a full repo
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757395August 17, 2026
STEERING
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized. The " Steering Failure " message was displayed. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact's two minor children were seated in the rear seat of the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed with steering wheel sensor failure and steering wheel wiring harness failure. The contact was informed that the steering sensors and steering wheel wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754419August 3, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The sunroof leaked during rain causing both known and unknown damage to electrical components in the overhead panel. Lights came on and went off intermittently.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754610August 3, 2026
ENGINE
On 5/18/2026 my wife left home to run an errand in our newly purchased 2018 Audi Q3. About 1-2 miles away from home, she experienced a strange sound coming from the engine bay, the car lost accelerating power, and the car displayed a warning message that the oil pressure was low and to stop operating the car. The power briefly returned, and she was able to safely return home. Thankfully, she hadn't gotten onto the highway, where the power loss could have caused loss of control of the car resulting in a crash that could have harmed her or others, perhaps fatally. After she returned, I used a consumer-level reader to get the code, which indicated there was catastrophic failure to one of the engine's cylinders. We had it towed to a nearby Audi dealership, where the service department confirmed one of the cylinders had failed and the car needed a new engine. The car had given numerous signals prior to this. First, the night we purchased the car, we experienced the exact same warning light and loss of power. We had it towed then to the same Audi dealership, who said it only needed an oil change. During that conversation, the Audi tech told me that the car had a head gasket replacement the prior year (2025), at around 55k mi, and that the previous owner reported other oil-related warnings. I was then told the oil sensors are sensitive, the car was fine, just be mindful of oil levels. In the proceeding weeks after that (and prior to the engine failure), we experienced moments when the same oil pressure warning flickered on-and-off. The failure on 5/18 was less than 45 days after our first indicator experience.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751867July 21, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving on the highway at approximately 40 mph with no obstacle ahead and no braking input from the driver, the vehicle applied its brakes hard on its own and came to an abrupt stop. There was audible tire noise and a burnt smell. No injury occurred, but the sudden unintended braking created a serious risk of a rear-end collision. The vehicle was driven to Audi Fort Lauderdale for inspection. On arrival at the service garage, a vibration was felt again and reported to the service advisor in person at that time. The dealership ran two road tests and a system scan, reported it could not duplicate the malfunction, and found no stored fault codes. No cause was identified for the unintended braking or for the burnt smell. The vehicle is equipped with automatic emergency braking and driver-assistance systems. The concern is that one of these systems activated without cause and without warning at highway speed. Because the event was intermittent and left no stored fault, it may not be captured by a standard diagnostic scan. This is reported so it is on record and can be compared against similar reports from other owners.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745833June 23, 2026
ENGINE
The engine oil consumption rate is alarming going thru quarts or entire oil change in a week or two of driving depending how much it was driven. Audi has admitted the pistons are at fault along with piston rings. It is unsafe and can cause engine to seize up and lose control which can lead to dangerous situations or accidents. I was never informed with a class action settlement from Audi. I have lived at the same address for 21 years. I never received a letter from Audi of the class action settlement due to oil consumption.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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