Audi Q3 years to avoid and best years
Newer Audi Q3 years have more owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2020 has the most complaints per year, at 14 (65 complaints). Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2017 at 0 (from 8 complaints), 2015 at 1 (from 23 complaints), and 2019 at 2 (from 10 complaints). The Audi Q3 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet. On the 2020 Audi Q3, 4 of 65 complaints name Electrical system.
Data as of .
2017
2015
2019
2025–26
Audi Q3 reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Audi Q3. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Too early | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 25 |
| 2025 Too early | 2 | 4 | 1 | Electrical system, Seat belts, Unknown or other | 24 |
| 2024 → | 6 | 18 | 2 | Electrical system | 24 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 24.5 |
| 2022 → | 0 | 0 | 5 | — | 25 |
| 2021 → | 3 | 15 | 3 | Fuel and propulsion system | 24 |
| 2020 → Most | 14 | 65 | 3 | Electrical system | 22 |
| 2019 → Fewest | 2 | 10 | 4 | Fuel and propulsion system | 22 |
| 2018 → | 2 | 26 | 1 | Engine | 23 |
| 2017 → Fewest | 0 | 8 | 3 | Air bags | 23 |
| 2016 → | 2 | 28 | 3 | Electrical system | 23 |
| 2015 → Fewest | 1 | 23 | 2 | Engine, Fuel and propulsion system | 23 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- SUV
- Oil
- 5W-40/5W-30/0W-40/0W-30 (Audi/VW-approved; 2.0T) · 4.8 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 235/50R18, 255/40R19
Known issues for this generation
Recall 16V-642 covers certain 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles (with A3, A4, TT, and Q7 also in the campaign): vehicles may have been programmed with software that inadvertently prevented side marker lights from illuminating, which can reduce nighttime visibility; dealers upload revised software. Other 8U-year campaigns on overlapping VAG platforms should be checked by VIN on NHTSA’s site before purchase or service.
- Body styles
- SUV
- Oil
- 0W-20 (all temps; Audi/VW-approved) · 6 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 235/55R18, 235/50R19, 255/40R20
Known issues for this generation
Recall 20V-273 covers certain 2019 Q3 vehicles where the passenger air bag may not deploy properly through the instrument-panel tear seam, and small plastic parts may enter the cabin; dealers inspect and replace the instrument panel if needed. Recall 22V-673 covers certain 2021-2022 Q3 vehicles where the vent pipe inside the fuel tank may have been damaged during assembly, allowing fuel to spill from the filler neck when the cap is opened; dealers inspect the vent pipe and replace the charcoal canister and fuel tank if necessary. Recall 26V-590 covers certain 2019-2021 Q3 vehicles (with some Volkswagen models) where a steering-rack mounting bolt may corrode and break, which can break the steering-rack housing and cause loss of steering control; dealers replace the right-side steering-rack mounting bolt. Separate 2022 campaigns also address rearview-camera software and a manufacturing-date check for a rear window that may crack.
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi Q3 years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2017 at 0 (from 8 complaints), 2015 at 1 (from 23 complaints), and 2019 at 2 (from 10 complaints).
Which Audi Q3 year has the most owner complaints?
2020 has the most complaints per year, at 14 (65 complaints). On the 2020 Audi Q3, 4 of 65 complaints name Electrical system.
How do Audi Q3 owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Audi Q3 years have more owner complaints per year than the older ones.
Which Audi Q3 years are too early to compare?
The Audi Q3 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet.
What oil does an Audi Q3 take?
8U (2015-2018) uses Audi/VW-approved 5W-40/5W-30/0W-40/0W-30 (~4.8 qt); F3 (2019-on) uses 0W-20 (~6 qt).
What does recall 20V-273 cover on the Q3?
Certain 2019 Q3 vehicles where the passenger air bag may not deploy properly through the instrument panel—see the NHTSA campaign for the remedy.
Which Q3 generations does this site track?
8U (2015-2018) and F3 (2019-on).