The Lemon Index2020 Audi Q3. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 1
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S8) | AWD | 19 / 27 / 22 | Regular | $2,850 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 400 and 4,500 miles. Median 1,900, from 35 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 1,700 | 100–2,100 | 11 |
| Engine | 2,000 | 1,200–5,200 | 17 |
| Steering | 300 | 100–1,300 | 8 |
| Fuel or ev drive system | 2,000 | 600–8,600 | 8 |
| Speed control | 1,500 | 200–4,000 | 5 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 41% |
| Electrical | 37% |
| Steering | 18% |
| Fuel or ev drive system | 18% |
| Speed control | 12% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 3
26V590000 Sep 2026 Steering
Defect. 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.
Risk. A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
20V786000 Dec 2020 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Pedals And Linkages
Defect. 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.
Remedy. 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.
20V644000 Oct 2020 Seats
Defect. 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.
Remedy. 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.
Manufacturer communications 906
Audi filed 906 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Steering wheel shimmy, vibration and/or oscillation
- This bulletin contains instructions for an oil leak in the bevel box
- This bulletin contains repair instructions for diagnosing an oil leak
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi Q3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Standard | No |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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