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Audi Q3 VIN Check

NHTSA holds 198 owner complaints on the Audi Q3 from 133 production runs; the worst run has 5, the typical one 1.5.

NHTSA complaint records · 198 complaints · 133 runs · 2015–2026 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Q3 run is WA1DECF37L1 (2020 builds) with 5 complaints, 3.3× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 23% of reports; 2016 is the worst model year at 1.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns for Q3 model years 2015–2026.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Audi Q3 has 133 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 10% of every Q3 complaint on file.

FIG.01·Audi Q3 — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
WA1DECF37L1••••••20205——
WA1EFCFS0FR••••••20154——
WA1BFCFS7GR••••••20164——
WA1AECF39L1••••••20204——
WA1DECF34L1••••••20203——
WA1BECF3XL1••••••20203——
WA1EFCFS8GR••••••20163——
WA1AECF30K1••••••20193——
WA1GFCFS5GR••••••20163——
WA1FECF33L1••••••20203——
WA1EFCFS2GR••••••20163——
WA1EECF34L1••••••20203——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 121 Q3 runs has 3 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 104 Q3 VINs so far, most often 2025, 2026, 2023 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Audi Q3 the gap between build years is 1.8×: a 2016 car draws 1.8 complaints per run, a 2017 one 1.

FIG.02·Audi Q3 — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20251.343—
20241.618112
20211.415112
20201.766403
20191.4107—
20181.22621—
2017188—
20161.828161
20151.52114—
ROWS 9·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2016 at 1.8 complaints per run; lightest is 2017 at 1. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 23% of everything Audi Q3 owners report: Electrical System, 52 of 198 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Audi Q3 — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Electrical System5221
Engine51——
Unknown Or Other43——
Fuel/propulsion System25——
Steering212—
Air Bags142—
Power Train12——
Service Brakes111—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 19 recall campaigns on the Audi Q3; the 6 below cover build years 2015 to 2025. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Audi Q3 — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
26V590000Steering2019–2021
19V385000Exterior Lighting:turn Signal2016–2018
16V642000Electrical System:software2015–2017
25V082000Back Over Prevention:software2024–2025
24V251000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger2023–2024
22V673000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage2021–2022
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

26V590000 was opened in 2026 on cars built from 2019: 7 years on the road before the recall.

The Q3 against its rivals

The Q3 draws 1.5 complaints per production run; the Buick Encore 1.7 and the Jeep Renegade 4.2. That is the lowest rate of the 3.

FIG.05·Audi Q3 VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Audi Q31981331.54%
Buick Encore5643311.78.3%
Jeep Renegade2,1265114.23.6%
ROWS 3·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 198 reports on the Audi Q3, 4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Audi Q3 — complaint severity
OutcomeAudi Q3All vehicles
Complaints filed1981,115,966
Involved a crash8 (4%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire1 (0.5%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported558,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 31% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Audi Q3 share of that is 198 complaints over 133 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.

Everything on the Audi Q3
Recalls30 campaignsFuel economy26 mpg bestReliability4.5/5Common problems199 complaintsCargo space17 cu ftUsed prices769 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2015–2026

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Audi Q3 VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 198 NHTSA complaints from 133 Q3 runs and 19 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Q3 production run has the most complaints?

WA1DECF37L1, a 2020 build, with 5 complaints. The typical Q3 run has 1.5.

Which Q3 years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2016 is heaviest at 1.8 complaints per run and 2017 lightest at 1.

Does the Q3 get more complaints than the Buick Encore?

No: 1.5 complaints per production run for the Q3 against 1.7 for the Buick Encore.

How many Q3 complaints involve a crash?

4% of 198 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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