The Lemon Index

All cars · Audi Q3

2021 Audi Q3.

The 2021 Audi Q3 is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 9 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 27, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel or ev drive system, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 23 to 25 mpg combined. The best Audi Q3 year is 2017.

27Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 3.7× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2017 · Worst year 2020

Audi Q3
Photo shows a 2015 Audi Q3. Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints9first 3 years
Fuel economy23–25 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 15 owner complaints, owners reported:

2crashes
1injuries
0fires
3tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

fuel or ev drive system22%
engine22%
seat belts22%
lane assist11%
body structure11%

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.

Transmission problems in every Audi Q3 year →

Recalls 3

  • steering 2026

    One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break.

  • fuel system, gasoline 2022

    The vent pipe within the fuel tank may have been damaged during fuel tank assembly.

  • seat belts 2021

    The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Audi told dealers about

Audi sent dealers 869 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • This bulletin contains repair instructions for diagnosing an oil leak
  • This bulletin contains instructions for using the UV additive to find engine oil leaks
  • This bulletin contains repair instructions for when there is an interference described as a…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningNot offered
Lane departure warningStandard
NHTSA front crash test of the 2021 Audi Q3
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Audi Q3 SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines

About $2550–2800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.

In owners' words

******* delete voq ******* this complaint is being marked for deletion because the consumer placed the request.

2021 Audi Q3 owner · NHTSA complaint 11501261

Quick answers

Is the 2021 Audi Q3 reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.7× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 27; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Audi Q3 year by this measure is 2017.

What are the most common 2021 Audi Q3 problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel or ev drive system (22%), engine (22%) and seat belts (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2021 Audi Q3 have?

3 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 2021 Audi Q3 get?

23 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2021 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 2021 Audi Q3 have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2021 Audi Q3 cost in fuel a year?

About $2550 to $2800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2021 Audi Q3 have?

2.0L 4-cyl.

What Audi Q3 year is better than the 2021?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2021 and 2020.

Lemon Index = safety 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 year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data