The Lemon Index

All cars · Audi Q3 · 2021

2021 Audi Q3. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index27100 = average car
Complaints9NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold34,462U.S. model year
Per 100K sold26complaints
Year rank#2 of 3#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 1

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (S8)AWD20 / 28 / 23Regular$2,700

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Fuel or ev drive system22%
Engine22%
Seat belts22%
Lane assist11%
Body structure11%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1520103

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.

  • 22V673000 Sep 2022 Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 21V606000 Aug 2021 Seat Belts / Rear/Other / Retractor

    Defect. 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 fa

    Risk. An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

    Remedy. 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).

Manufacturer communications 869

Audi filed 869 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Audi Q3 SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoStandard

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20201924927,251Engine
202127934,462Fuel or ev drive system
2023–222,189Engine
2024–1832,090Electrical

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

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