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2020 Audi Q3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

35 reports with mileage · 29 unknown

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

22 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2025
Electrical System

Rear hatch randomly operable / inoperable. "Reset" computer without success. Dangerous situation as anything inside hatch is not not accessible. Was told by Audi that the entire rear hatch latch system needs replacement and this is "a common issue"...

NHTSA ODI #11682115

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2025
Electrical System

I purchased a 2020 Audi Q3 S-Line (VIN: [XXX] ) on [XXX], with 27,564 miles on it. I bought the vehicle from a dealership that specializes in high-end aftermarket cars, and they provided a maintenance report stating the vehicle had passed all inspections at the time of sale. The vehicle had been imported from Canada to the U.S.…

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I purchased a 2020 Audi Q3 S-Line (VIN: [XXX] ) on [XXX], with 27,564 miles on it. I bought the vehicle from a dealership that specializes in high-end aftermarket cars, and they provided a maintenance report stating the vehicle had passed all inspections at the time of sale. The vehicle had been imported from Canada to the U.S., and the Carfax report reflected consistent maintenance at authorized Audi dealerships in Canada, including a full inspection and alternator/electrical system check roughly a year before my purchase — with no problems reported. In early July 2025, I began experiencing issues with the MMI system: •A loud, persistent humming sound when using Bluetooth or the radio •Audio glitches and failed system reboots •No dashboard warnings or battery alerts After researching, I suspected a low-voltage or charging issue. I took the car to an auto parts store for diagnostics, and at 28,932 miles, they found the battery was severely depleted and the alternator had failed completely — it was no longer charging the system. This means the alternator failed only 1,368 miles after purchase, which is highly abnormal for a well-maintained, low-mileage luxury vehicle. Alternators typically last 80,000 to 150,000 miles. Audi has acknowledged similar issues in Q5 and A4 models, but nothing yet on the Q3. While I know the vehicle is out of warranty and was not purchased from an Audi dealership, I am requesting: 1.That this issue be formally documented and investigated for possible recall or defect pattern. 2.That Audi consider a goodwill repair, based on mileage, maintenance history, and how soon the failure occurred after passing inspection. 3.That this be flagged specifically for Q3s imported from Canada, as mine was. This failure could have left me stranded with no warning. I’m reporting it not only for my own case, but to potentially help others who may be silently experiencing the same issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11674681

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2025
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

The sunroof in the Audi Q3 leaks and the water drops from the ceiling INTO the cabin. Water also comes through the passenger side panel and drips onto the floor causing flooding of the floorboards. This is a KNOWN issue and Audi has released a TSB (technical service bulletin) to attempt to fix these, but it’s just a band aid. It…

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The sunroof in the Audi Q3 leaks and the water drops from the ceiling INTO the cabin. Water also comes through the passenger side panel and drips onto the floor causing flooding of the floorboards. This is a KNOWN issue and Audi has released a TSB (technical service bulletin) to attempt to fix these, but it’s just a band aid. It keeps coming back over and over. Water intrudes into the center lights and they flicker and short out. Water drips from these lights into the center gearshift area and it is an extreme safety hazard. PLEASE force Audi to fix this and make it right with their customers. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A FULL RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11659111

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2024
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

There is a large flaw on these vehicles. The sunroof framing becomes damaged. This creates an issue of water leaking in the interior. It causes an electrical issue as well as creates a distracted driving environment. I was driving when this happened and I had to start controlling the water leaking from the roof of my vehicle. Th…

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There is a large flaw on these vehicles. The sunroof framing becomes damaged. This creates an issue of water leaking in the interior. It causes an electrical issue as well as creates a distracted driving environment. I was driving when this happened and I had to start controlling the water leaking from the roof of my vehicle. This is a large safety issue that Audi knows about and even has a technical documentation to repair this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11586253

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceCrash

I was driving on a highway at 65 miles per hour, it was a rental car and the car automatically short stopped by itself and i was unable to move it. the dashboard lights looked like they were blinking and then my car was hit from behind

NHTSA ODI #11537356

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2023
Electrical System

THE PANEL NEAR THE SUNROOF CONTROL BUTTONS AND LIGHTS HAS A LEAK. IT LEAKS WATER EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR DURING A CAR WASH. MY SAFETY AND OTHER SAFETY ARE PUT AT RISK BECAUSE THIS WATER LEAK IS COMING OUT OF MY LIGHTS AND OTHER ELECTRICAL CORDS FROM ABOVE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS B…

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THE PANEL NEAR THE SUNROOF CONTROL BUTTONS AND LIGHTS HAS A LEAK. IT LEAKS WATER EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR DURING A CAR WASH. MY SAFETY AND OTHER SAFETY ARE PUT AT RISK BECAUSE THIS WATER LEAK IS COMING OUT OF MY LIGHTS AND OTHER ELECTRICAL CORDS FROM ABOVE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS BUT NO RECALL HAS FORMED FOR THIS MAJOR ISSUE. THERE ARE NO WARNINGS OR MESSAGES APPEAR FOR A WARNING, IT JUST OCCURS.

NHTSA ODI #11522831

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2022
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

Please investigate the 2020 Audi Q3 and issue a recall - this is a major driver safety issue. I purchased this vehicle new from the Audi Crown Clearwater, FL dealership in late 2019. I am taking it for repair a THIRD time because after it rains, the interior gets flooded with water which pours into the car from the rear-view mi…

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Please investigate the 2020 Audi Q3 and issue a recall - this is a major driver safety issue. I purchased this vehicle new from the Audi Crown Clearwater, FL dealership in late 2019. I am taking it for repair a THIRD time because after it rains, the interior gets flooded with water which pours into the car from the rear-view mirror area which affects driver visibility, lights, electrical components, and more. The water damage is visible and there is so much built-up saturation from the leak that it causes the interior touch lights to stay on. The contact at the dealership who assured me she would help if this ever happened again after the first two fixes was evasive when I tried to ask what measures they took to fix it the first two times (in an effort to understand what they did before as well as suggest they need to attempt something different) and admitted that other Q3s were having this issue. She told me to call Audi America like another customer did, but refused to share the contact number or specify what I should tell them. This is a completely unacceptable situation created by Audi which poses a hazard for drivers. Not to mention Audi failing to stand behind a luxury brand image by putting the burden on customers to jump through hoops to seek recourse for a defective vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11493172

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2022
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

Rained. Got into my car and had water dripping down from the lights/dome of the car. Water was short circuiting the lights and they were turning on by themselves. Tried to turn them off but sensors wouldn’t respond. Water was dripping down to the console where the start engine and other controls including the charging ports/wire…

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Rained. Got into my car and had water dripping down from the lights/dome of the car. Water was short circuiting the lights and they were turning on by themselves. Tried to turn them off but sensors wouldn’t respond. Water was dripping down to the console where the start engine and other controls including the charging ports/wireless charging pad. Water also leaked from the front passenger side housing down to the floor. Occurred at 37.5k This has happened once before earlier in may. I called the dealership but were unable to help due to appt booked out a month. If they cannot reproduce the issue they won’t fix it. Occurred first time at 35k

NHTSA ODI #11472994

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2022
Electrical System

While waiting at a signal, i got at message that my maps could not continue because I had no power, then the park assist came on with no explanation. After that, I got the message to put the car in park to prevent it rolling away. I tried to restart, but it would not. As the signal changed and traffic had to move around me, I pu…

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While waiting at a signal, i got at message that my maps could not continue because I had no power, then the park assist came on with no explanation. After that, I got the message to put the car in park to prevent it rolling away. I tried to restart, but it would not. As the signal changed and traffic had to move around me, I put on the emergency lights and continued to try to start the car. It took 3-4 tries. I then took it to the dealer who did an inspection and test drive, but nothing showed up. I was about to get on the freeway when this happened and worried about driving. Even after inspection of the vehicle, i am hesitant about driving on the freeway and worried about this happening again, this time with the engine in gear.

NHTSA ODI #11452587

1,937 miles · Apr 16, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

CAR LEASED JULY 2020, HAS 1936 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 4/14/21, TOOK TO DEALER , LEFT FOR REPAIR . DEALER STATES 'REPLACE FUEL PUMP MODULE ' REQUIRED . THIS CAR ALSO HAD PROBLEM IN MARCH 2021 WHICH I REPORTED WHERE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER SAID SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS REQUIRED FROM RECALL THAT I HAD NOT GOTTEN NO…

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CAR LEASED JULY 2020, HAS 1936 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 4/14/21, TOOK TO DEALER , LEFT FOR REPAIR . DEALER STATES 'REPLACE FUEL PUMP MODULE ' REQUIRED . THIS CAR ALSO HAD PROBLEM IN MARCH 2021 WHICH I REPORTED WHERE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER SAID SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS REQUIRED FROM RECALL THAT I HAD NOT GOTTEN NOTICE FOR .

NHTSA ODI #11408429

Official recalls

3

26V590000 · Steering

Sep 11, 2026

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Dec 16, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 · Seats; Seats:critical Fasteners

Oct 19, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats:critical Fasteners

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.

Consequence: 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.

Seats

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.

Consequence: 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.