The Lemon Index
20182020Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 14,822 in the U.S. in 2019 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 8 complaints in its first 3 years.
8 owner complaints, first 3 years 22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2019 Acura RDX 2742019 BMW X3 852019 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC 29
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V590000 (steering), 22V815000 (tires) and 21V027000 (steering) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Audi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 8 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Codes owners of the Audi Q3 (2017–2021) name most: P000A Intake Camshaft Position Slow Response (Bank 1) · P0341 Camshaft Position Sensor A Range/Performance (Bank 1) · P0011 A Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Intake, Bank 1). Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 6K miles (6K to 11K km) on the car (5 of all 8 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 33.1M views · 2019–2025 Audi Q3
Prices people quote
- Price when new$39,90016 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Timing chain & engine72K views
2019 - 2025 Audi Q3 Oil Change | How To | Step-By-Step GuideTeeJayLC · 47K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service59K views
2020 Audi Q3 DIY oil changefiveyorks · 59K views - Infotainment, battery & electrical33K views
2020 Audi Q3 S Line Infotainment & Cruise Control | How To UseMr MZEE Cars · 33K views
Before you buy, watch
Audi Q3 SUV 2020 in-depth review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 245K views
5 Reasons Why You Should Buy A 2024 Audi Q3 - Quick Buyer's GuideBoston Auto Blog · 37K views
Audi Q3 SUV 2020 in-depth review | carwow Reviewscarwow · 2.4M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2019 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 4
- Steering · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break.
- Tires · recall issued 2022
The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously.
- Steering · recall issued 2021
The circlip can detach and catch on surrounding components, causing the steering system to lock and increasing the risk of a crash.
Show all 4 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
The passenger air bag may not properly deploy through the instrument panel tear seam.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi Q3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,900 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Audi Q3 year. 2019 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Audi Q3 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2019 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/audi-q3/?y=2019" title="Audi Q3 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/audi-q3/2019/">Lemon Index</a> (2019 Audi Q3 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2019 Audi Q3 reliable?
We can't score it: only 14,822 were sold in the U.S. in 2019 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2019 Audi Q3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (25%), fuel system (25%) and automatic emergency braking (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Audi Q3 have?
4 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Audi Q3 get?
22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2019 Audi Q3 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2019 Audi Q3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2019 Audi Q3 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Audi Q3 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Audi Q3 year is better than the 2019?
Nearby, the 2017 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works