Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2020. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2023.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q3 | 6 | 1 |
| 2025 Q3 | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 Q3 | 18 | 2 |
| 2023 Q3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 Q3 | 34 | 5 |
| 2021 Q3 | 15 | 3 |
| 2020 Q3Most complaints | 66 | 3 |
| 2019 Q3 | 10 | 4 |
| 2018 Q3 | 26 | 1 |
| 2017 Q3 | 8 | 3 |
| 2016 Q3 | 28 | 3 |
| 2015 Q3 | 24 | 2 |
| 2014 Q3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 Q3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 Q3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 Q3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Electrical system64
- Engine57
- Unknown or other50
- Fuel/propulsion system33
- Steering21
- Air bags16
- Service brakes13
- Power train13
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 40 Q3 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 18 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 |
| 2020 | 10 | 8 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 | 1 |
| 2017 | 4 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 | 3 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 11 model-year variants; 5 of 5 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2027 AUDI Q3 SUV ICE AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2026 | 2026 AUDI Q3 SUV N/A AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2025 | 2025 Audi Q3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 16.4 % |
| 2024 | 2024 Audi Q3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 16.4 % |
| 2021 | 2021 Audi Q3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 16.4 % |
| 2020 | 2020 Audi Q3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 16.4 % |
| 2019 | 2019 Audi Q3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 16.4 % |
| 2018 | 2018 Audi Q3 SUV AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2017 | 2017 Audi Q3 SUV AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Audi Q3 SUV AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Audi Q3 SUV AWD | — | 0.0 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 12 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 9.2–10.6 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Q3 TFSI quattro · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.8 | 8.1 | 9.6 |
| 2025 | Q3 40 TFSI quattro · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.7 | 8.0 | 9.5 |
| 2024 | Q3 40 TFSI quattro · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.7 | 8.1 | 9.5 |
| 2023 | Q3 40 TFSI quattro · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.9 | 8.0 | 9.6 |
| 2022 | Q3 40 TFSI quattro · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.4 | 7.7 | 9.2 |
| 2021 | Q3 40 TFSI quattro · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.6 | 7.7 | 9.3 |
| 2020 | Q3 quattro · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.3 | 8.6 | 10.6 |
| 2019 | Q3 quattro · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.3 | 8.6 | 10.6 |
| 2018 | Q3 · Compact · Premium gasoline | 11.6 | 8.3 | 10.1 |
| 2017 | Q3 · Compact · Premium gasoline | 11.9 | 8.4 | 10.3 |
| 2016 | Q3 · Compact · Premium gasoline | 12.0 | 8.2 | 10.3 |
| 2015 | Q3 · Compact · Premium gasoline | 12.0 | 8.2 | 10.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
3,902 Q3 cars are on the New Zealand register; 24% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 236 | 236 | 0 |
| 2025 | 120 | 119 | 1 |
| 2024 | 189 | 189 | 0 |
| 2023 | 231 | 230 | 1 |
| 2022 | 400 | 390 | 7 |
| 2021 | 318 | 317 | 1 |
| 2020 | 302 | 295 | 5 |
| 2019 | 142 | 137 | 5 |
| 2018 | 89 | 68 | 21 |
| 2017 | 135 | 101 | 32 |
| 2016 | 227 | 135 | 88 |
| 2015 | 351 | 186 | 159 |
| 2014 | 393 | 206 | 185 |
| 2013 | 476 | 205 | 264 |
| 2012 | 292 | 127 | 160 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
31,753 Q3 cars are on Dutch roads; 63% arrived later as imports, and 670 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2,133 | €64,812 |
| 2025 | 498 | €64,130 |
| 2024 | 1,811 | €61,410 |
| 2023 | 2,556 | €62,259 |
| 2022 | 4,797 | €59,125 |
| 2021 | 4,752 | €58,246 |
| 2020 | 2,889 | €58,679 |
| 2019 | 3,222 | €59,142 |
| 2018 | 936 | €50,657 |
| 2017 | 1,272 | €51,320 |
| 2016 | 1,355 | €49,754 |
| 2015 | 1,425 | €49,366 |
| 2014 | 1,336 | €47,806 |
| 2013 | 970 | €53,905 |
| 2012 | 1,649 | €52,978 |
| 2011 | 152 | €54,444 |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
3,944 Q3 cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 52% petrol, 48% diesel; 23% of all are hybrids. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 120 | — |
| 2025 | 39 | — |
| 2024 | 43 | — |
| 2023 | 157 | 23,000 km |
| 2022 | 313 | 65,000 km |
| 2021 | 341 | 67,000 km |
| 2020 | 214 | 80,000 km |
| 2019 | 280 | 85,000 km |
| 2018 | 194 | 119,000 km |
| 2017 | 284 | 135,000 km |
| 2016 | 403 | 158,000 km |
| 2015 | 427 | 168,000 km |
| 2014 | 455 | 192,000 km |
| 2013 | 243 | 205,000 km |
| 2012 | 377 | 208,000 km |
| 2011 | 54 | 228,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 1,935 Q3 cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 16 of those collisions were fatal and 355 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 472 | 4 | 101 |
| 2024 | 359 | 3 | 68 |
| 2023 | 405 | 3 | 66 |
| 2022 | 388 | 4 | 68 |
| 2021 | 311 | 2 | 52 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
173,665 Q3 cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9,955 | 65 |
| 2024 | 12,894 | 43 |
| 2023 | 11,407 | 25 |
| 2022 | 10,783 | 35 |
| 2021 | 11,023 | 30 |
| 2020 | 12,540 | 38 |
| 2019 | 13,688 | 134 |
| 2018 | 12,430 | 71 |
| 2017 | 16,184 | 114 |
| 2016 | 16,704 | 119 |
| 2015 | 14,041 | 99 |
| 2014 | 13,532 | 177 |
| 2013 | 11,557 | 198 |
| 2012 | 6,477 | 152 |
| 2011 | 450 | 22 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
119,873 Q3 cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 84% passed first time, against 79% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 443 | 93% |
| 2020 | 12,916 | 93% |
| 2019 | 14,213 | 92% |
| 2018 | 12,630 | 89% |
| 2017 | 16,127 | 87% |
| 2016 | 16,586 | 84% |
| 2015 | 14,194 | 82% |
| 2014 | 13,847 | 78% |
| 2013 | 11,698 | 74% |
| 2012 | 6,733 | 72% |
| 2011 | 486 | 71% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | Q3 | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.4% | 5.9% |
| Suspension | 5.3% | 4.9% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.7% | 6.8% |
| Brakes | 2.5% | 4.3% |
| Visibility | 2.0% | 3.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.3% | 1.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.6% | 1.5% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.4% | 0.5% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
837,215 new Audi Q3 cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2011 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Germany (26,733), Italy (12,896), France (10,429).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 77,596 | 123 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 75,527 | 130 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 81,794 | 167 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 87,811 | 172 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 57,493 | 162 (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 74,509 | 135 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 88,445 | — |
| 2015 | 78,155 | — |
| 2014 | 71,147 | — |
| 2013 | 70,302 | — |
| 2012 | 68,195 | — |
| 2011 | 6,241 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Real-world fuel consumption
63,665 Audi Q3 cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2024 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Diesel versions average 6.7 l/100 km on the road, against 5.6 l/100 km in the official WLTP test — 19% more. Plug-in hybrids use 5.9 l/100 km against 1.6 l/100 km on paper, with 28% of their distance covered with the engine off.
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 14,934 | 8.2 | 7.2 | +14% |
| Petrol hybrid | 8,326 | 7.8 | 6.7 | +17% |
| Diesel | 34,472 | 6.7 | 5.6 | +19% |
| Plug-in hybrid | 5,933 | 5.9 | 1.6 | +280% |
Litres per 100 km: total fuel used divided by total distance driven, from the car's own fuel consumption meter (OBFCM), collected in 2024 by the manufacturers, mostly remotely, and by national authorities. WLTP figures are the type-approval CO₂ values converted to litres. Hybrids, including mild hybrids, do not plug in; plug-in hybrid figures include the distance driven on electricity. European Environment Agency, Real-world CO₂ emissions from cars and vans · CC BY 4.0
What it costs in fuel
On real-world figures the diesel Audi Q3 uses 6.7 litres per 100 km, so 15,000 km a year takes about 1,000 litres: €2,271 at this week's average price in Germany, its largest market in Europe.
| Country | Diesel | Petrol | Petrol hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | €2,271 | €2,693 | €2,546 |
| United Kingdom | £1,997 | £2,158 | £2,040 |
| Italy | €2,249 | €2,491 | €2,355 |
| France | €2,350 | €2,755 | €2,604 |
| Spain | €1,893 | €2,201 | €2,081 |
| United States | $1,661 | $1,399 | $1,322 |
Fuel for 15,000 km (9,300 miles) a year at real-world consumption. Pump prices with taxes, week of 19 October 2026: European Commission Weekly Oil Bulletin, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, US Energy Information Administration. Non-euro EU prices are in euros as the Bulletin publishes them.
Work it out for your driving
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the Q3 in at least 12 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
Due to irregularities in the manufacturing process, the seat belts may not be properly secured to the vehicle body. In such cases, the restraint effectiveness of the affected seat belts cannot be relied upon, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not…
A joint on the pyrotechnic gas generator in the front seat belt pretensioners may not have been properly welded. In the event of an accident, small parts could detach, increasing the risk of injury to passengers. The product does not comply with the Regulation…
The seat belt's retraction mechanism doesn't work properly. This may result in a loose roll and insufficient tension of the seatbelt, increasing the risk of an injury in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval …
A defective welding seam on the front seat back frame can break in the event of an accident. As a result, the person sitting in the seat may hit their head on the B-pillar, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the a…
The fuse in the high-voltage (HV) system may have been produced with an insufficient amount of extinguishing sand. In the event of a short circuit in the high-voltage system, a voltage flashover could occur inside the vehicle and subsequently pose a risk of fi…
Design engine covers installed on all affected vehicles could detach from their fixings depending on the conditions of use (e.g. very sporty driving, or poor road surfaces) and their age. A loose engine cover could come into contact with the hot area of the ex…
The bolt of the pressure-input shaft situated between the electromechanical brake servo and the brake pedal may come loose.As a result, the mechanical connection between the brake pedal and thebrake servo would no longer be guaranteed, increasing the risk of a…
The safety belt restraint system might only work to a limited extent in the event of sharp braking or lateral tilting of the vehicle.This will lead to an increased risk of injury.
Due to a manufacturing error, a weld joint between the brake pedal and the brake-pedal plate could break when the brake pedal is suddenly applied.This can result in complete detachment of the brake-pedal plate, increasing the risk of an accident.
Due to a manufacturing error, the belt-pulley securing ring of the steering system may not be fully engaged. As a result, the securing ring may become detached and subsequently jam with surrounding components, leading to possible locking of the steering system…
The screw connection attaching the seat frame to the seat rail may not be correctly executed. As a result, it may fail in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of injury.
The breaking point for the release of the front passenger airbag in the console may not have been fabricated correctly. As a result, the airbag may not penetrate the console as required in the event of deployment.This will impair its restraining and protective…
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
19 campaigns cover the Q3; the latest 12 are below.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2026 Q3 vehicles. Incorrect software may allow remote sunroof closing from a distance that prevents the operator from clearly seeing the sunroof. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Tiguan, 2023 Arteon, and 2024-2025 Audi Q3 vehicles. An error may occur in the camera control unit at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AUDI A8, A6 Allroad, E-TRON Quattro, 2022 S3, RSQ8, RS7, RS6 Avant, Q8, Q7, Q3, E-TRON Sportback Quattro, S5 Cabriolet, E-TRON GT, S5 Sportback, A7, A6, A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet, A4, A4 Allroad, A3, S8, SQ7, SQ8, S6, and S4 vehicles. The infotainment main unit may become damaged internally when the vehicle is shut off, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera display the next time the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Audi Q3 vehicles. A window manufacturing error may allow the rear window to crack or break.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Audi Q3 vehicles. The vent pipe within the fuel tank may have been damaged during fuel tank assembly.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 Audi Q3 vehicles that failed to receive the software update under Recall 21V-825 (91CR). A software error may prevent the rearview image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling one 2019 Audi Q3 vehicle. Production deviation in the belt pully can prevent the circlip from properly engaging the steering rack.
NHTSA recalls