The Audi Q3 spans 2015–2026 with 27 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2020, 2016, 2018 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2022, 2023, 2026. It delivers up to 26 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Audi Q3 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2015 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Audi Q3 VIN — every digit explained
Every Audi Q3 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Audi and the country it was built in (real Audi codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Q3.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyWA1 · WAU · WU1 · WUA
- HungaryTRU
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Q3, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Audi Q3 have?
The Audi Q3 has 27 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2015–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2026 Audi Q3 recalls 1
Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Closing the sunroof without the ability to see it can increase the risk of injury to occupants.
Fix. Dealers will update the sunroof control module software and the owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 57KS. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 7, 2026.
2025 Audi Q3 recalls 1
Back Over Prevention:software
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners April 3, 2024, and Volkswagen owners November 18, 2025.Volkswagen owners will receive a second notice once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Volkswagen) 91NY and (Audi) 90AV.
2024 Audi Q3 recalls 2
Back Over Prevention:software
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners April 3, 2024, and Volkswagen owners November 18, 2025.Volkswagen owners will receive a second notice once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Volkswagen) 91NY and (Audi) 90AV.
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant detection system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 8, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69GU.
2023 Audi Q3 recalls 1
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant detection system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 8, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69GU.
2022 Audi Q3 recalls 5
Equipment:electrical:infotainment:video (touch)screen/monitor/unit
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the infotainment main unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91Ei.
Visibility:glass, Side/rear
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A broken rear window may result in loose pieces of glass and increase the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will check the manufacturing date of the vehicle's rear window and replace it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 11, 2022. Owners may contact Audi 's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 64H4.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A damaged vent pipe may allow fuel to spill out of the filler neck when the fuel cap is opened, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect the internal vent pipe for damage and replace the charcoal canister and the fuel tank, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20DS.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91DF.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.
2021 Audi Q3 recalls 2
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A damaged vent pipe may allow fuel to spill out of the filler neck when the fuel cap is opened, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect the internal vent pipe for damage and replace the charcoal canister and the fuel tank, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20DS.
Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
2020 Audi Q3 recalls 2
Seats
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling one 2020 Audi Q3 vehicle. The driver's seat frame may have incorrectly been bolted to the seat rail.
Risk. The incorrect bolt connection could fail, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the bolt connection and, as necessary, replace the seat structure, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72L4.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Audi Q3 vehicles. The brake pedal plate can bend or detach under the pressure applied during sudden stopping.
Risk. A bent or detached brake pedal plate decreases the contact area for the driver's foot and increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the weld between the brake pedal and the brake pedal plate and, as necessary, replace the entire brake pedal, free of charge. The recall began January 12, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46i7.
2019 Audi Q3 recalls 3
Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audis customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q3 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not properly deploy through the instrument panel tear seam.
Risk. In the event of a crash, the passenger air bag may not properly deploy and inflate, and small plastic parts may enter the cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the instrument panel and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 10, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70H7.
Steering:critical Fasteners
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. The circlip can detach and catch on surrounding components, causing the steering system to lock and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Audi will notify the owner, and a dealer will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall was completed February 28, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 48P7.
2018 Audi Q3 recalls 1
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Audi Q3 vehicles equipped with LED headlights. An inoperable front turn signal may not illuminate an indicator, failing to alert the driver to the issue. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. Without an indicator informing the driver of an inoperable turn signal, the driver may turn or change lanes without a signal, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module (BCM), free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97DK.
2017 Audi Q3 recalls 3
Electrical System:software
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Audi Q3 vehicles. If the parking brake is used during emergency braking, the brake lights on the vehicle will not activate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. A vehicle approaching from behind may not have any warning that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 45G6.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Audi Q3 vehicles equipped with LED headlights. An inoperable front turn signal may not illuminate an indicator, failing to alert the driver to the issue. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. Without an indicator informing the driver of an inoperable turn signal, the driver may turn or change lanes without a signal, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module (BCM), free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97DK.
2016 Audi Q3 recalls 3
Electrical System:software
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Audi Q3 vehicles. If the parking brake is used during emergency braking, the brake lights on the vehicle will not activate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. A vehicle approaching from behind may not have any warning that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 45G6.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Audi Q3 vehicles equipped with LED headlights. An inoperable front turn signal may not illuminate an indicator, failing to alert the driver to the issue. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. Without an indicator informing the driver of an inoperable turn signal, the driver may turn or change lanes without a signal, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module (BCM), free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97DK.
2015 Audi Q3 recalls 2
Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Audi Q3 vehicles manufactured April 4, 2014, to November 5, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off while the sunroof is closing, the sunroof may continue to close instead of stopping. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
Risk. If the sunroof is closing while the vehicle is shut off and a vehicle occupant is in its path, there is an increased risk of injury.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the sunroof control module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60C1.
Electrical System:software
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
Best and worst years for the Audi Q3
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 12 tracked years, the worst years are 2020, 2016, 2018 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2022, 2023, 2026.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Q3 | Engine | Average | |
| 2016 Q3 | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2017 Q3 | Air Bags | Average | |
| 2018 Q3 | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2019 Q3 | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2020 Q3 | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2021 Q3 | Fuel/propulsion System | Average | |
| 2022 Q3 | — | Best | |
| 2023 Q3 | — | Best | |
| 2024 Q3 | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2025 Q3 | Engine | Average | |
| 2026 Q3 | Forward Collision Avoidance | Best |
What are the most common Audi Q3 problems?
The most-reported Audi Q3 problems are Seats (3 reports), Tires (5 reports) and Engine (49 reports) — out of 190 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Audi Q3 specifications & dimensions
The 2020–2023 Audi Q3 measures 176″ long on a 106″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,384 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Audi Q3 window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–2023 | 176″ | 73″ | 64″ | 106″ | 3,384 lb |
| 2015–2017 | 173″ | 72″ | 63″ | 102″ | 3,494 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Audi Q3 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Q3 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 84 cu ft of passenger volume and 17 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Audi Q3 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Audi Q3 get?
The Audi Q3 returns up to 26 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,400/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2026 Audi Q3 (2L 4-cyl) gets 25 mpg combined and costs about $2,500/yr to fuel, emitting 362 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 5/10) — about $1,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q3 | 22 | 29 | $2,500 | 362 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2025 Q3 | 22 | 29 | $3,100 | 360 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2024 Q3 | 22 | 29 | $2,500 | 360 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2023 Q3 | 22 | 29 | $2,500 | 361 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2022 Q3 | 23 | 30 | $2,400 | 346 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2021 Q3 | 22 | 30 | $2,500 | 350 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2020 Q3 | 19 | 27 | $2,850 | 399 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2019 Q3 | 19 | 27 | $2,850 | 399 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2018 Q3 | 20 | 28 | $3,350 | 380 | 3/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2017 Q3 | 20 | 28 | $3,350 | 391 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2016 Q3 | 20 | 28 | $3,350 | 391 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2015 Q3 | 20 | 28 | $3,350 | 391 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Q3 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient SUVs, or calculate this Q3's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Audi Q3 have? Power & range
The Audi Q3 is offered with 1 powertrain — 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | AWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Audi Q3 tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Audi Q3 is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Q3's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Audi Q3 cost to own?
A used Audi Q3 sells for a median of about $30,992 for a 2025 — most listed between $28,500 and $32,980, from 224 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | $28,500–$32,980 | 5 | |
| 2024 Q3 | $19,900–$37,888 | 3 | |
| 2023 Q3 | $21,800–$24,999 | 3 | |
| 2022 Q3 | $22,888–$22,995 | 4 | |
| 2021 Q3 | $17,995–$24,995 | 64 | |
| 2020 Q3 | $12,997–$26,300 | 24 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Q3 is worth today, or browse used-market prices for SUVs.
A Audi Q3 tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Q3 loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $12,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Q3 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Audi Q3 to insure?
A Audi Q3 costs about $1,199 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 17% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (83, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Q3's HLDI loss index. See Audi insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Audi Q3 safe?
The Audi Q3 earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2024 Q3 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2021 Q3 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2020 Q3 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2019 Q3 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars and SUVs.
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How many miles does a Audi Q3 last?
A well-maintained Audi Q3 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Audi Q3’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Q3’s VIN free →All Audi Q3 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Audi Q3 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q3 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2025 Q3 | 1 recall | ★★★★★ | |
| 2024 Q3 | 2 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2023 Q3 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2022 Q3 | 5 recalls | — | |
| 2021 Q3 | 2 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2020 Q3 | 2 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2019 Q3 | 3 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2018 Q3 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2017 Q3 | 3 recalls | — | |
| 2016 Q3 | 3 recalls | — | |
| 2015 Q3 | 2 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Q3?
By owner-complaint volume, 2020, 2016, 2018 drew the most reports. 2022, 2023, 2026 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Q3 have?
27 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2015–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Audi recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Q3 get?
Up to 26 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the Q3 safe?
The Q3 earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a Q3 last?
A well-maintained Q3 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Q3 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Q3 is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Audi Q3 warranty?
New Audi models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Audi dealer.
Where is the Audi Q3 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Q3's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Audi may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Q3 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.