IllustrationHeard a loud exploding sound while driving down the street. Quickly realized that the sunroof exploded and shattered on it own. No impact and nothing fell on it. Just a random explosion. Called local Audi dealership and they have heard of this issue in Audis, but that there is no active recall.
2018 Audi Q3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Q3 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 9 of 26 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
7 reportsMy car stalled. I could not moved the car. Mobile Mechanic came saw the alternator belt was broke. He repaired the Belt and Alternator. When he started the car, smoke and loud squeal came from engine. He immediately shut it off. The car has less than 60k miles. I have not driven the car as much due to travel.
Center sliding armrest defective. Cover under the armrest that pops in the tubes came off maki g the armrest lose and exposing the metal tubes. Internet search mentions it’s a common issue and nothing has been resolved
Panoramic sunroof exploded today while driving at highway speeds. Broken glass gave way. Car was not struck by any objects before the glass failed. There were no warnings. Have not yet taken the car to a dealer or service provider. Though it did not happen to me, there’s danger from the explosion itself and from the glass enteri…
Read full complaint
Panoramic sunroof exploded today while driving at highway speeds. Broken glass gave way. Car was not struck by any objects before the glass failed. There were no warnings. Have not yet taken the car to a dealer or service provider. Though it did not happen to me, there’s danger from the explosion itself and from the glass entering the cabin.
DRIVING DURING THE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK I HEARD THIS EXPLOSION AND A SOUND BEHIND. WHEN I PULLED OFF I NOTICED MY MOONROOF WAS SHATTERED. JUST ABOUT TO FELL OFF OR BLOW AWAY. NO OBJECT HAD HIT THE CAR. IT WAS SIMPLY A HUGE EXPLOSION.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT DUSK AT 50MPH WHEN THE SUNROOF IN MY Q3 SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED INTO A MILLION PIECES AND RAINED GLASS DOWN ON ME. I WAS UNHARMED AND ABLE TO EXIT, BUT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT AS IT WAS A TREMENDOUSLY LOUD AND STARTLING EVENT. AUDI DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO PROJECTILE THAT CAUS…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT DUSK AT 50MPH WHEN THE SUNROOF IN MY Q3 SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED INTO A MILLION PIECES AND RAINED GLASS DOWN ON ME. I WAS UNHARMED AND ABLE TO EXIT, BUT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT AS IT WAS A TREMENDOUSLY LOUD AND STARTLING EVENT. AUDI DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO PROJECTILE THAT CAUSED THE BREAKAGE AND ARE REPLACING IT AS BEING "UNDER WARRANTY".
TAKATA INFLATORS: MULTIPLE SERVICE ATTEMPTS TO FIX SPEAKER BLUETOOTH ISSUES. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE. CONSISTENTLY HAPPENED. GARBLED INAUDIBLE COMMUNICATION USING HANDS FREE PHONE SPEAKER. WAS IN SERVICE 6 TIMES FOR SAME ISSUE.
Official recalls
119V385000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
May 23, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Audi Q3 vehicles equipped with LED headlights. An inoperable front turn signal may not illuminate an indicator, failing to alert the driver to the issue. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Without an indicator informing the driver of an inoperable turn signal, the driver may turn or change lanes without a signal, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module (BCM), free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97DK.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.