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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

Engine complaints

20 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

THE START STOP FEATURE NEEDS TO BE DEACTIVATED OTHERWISE THE WHEEL LOCKS UP ONCE STOPPED AND VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD ONCE FOOT RELEASES OFF BRAKE. THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED AND RPM DIAL LIT UP AND ENGINE WAS REVVING ONCE START STOP WAS DEACTIVATED. CAR HAD TO BE PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. STARTED AGAIN TO MOVE. CLOCK CHANGED TI…

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THE START STOP FEATURE NEEDS TO BE DEACTIVATED OTHERWISE THE WHEEL LOCKS UP ONCE STOPPED AND VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD ONCE FOOT RELEASES OFF BRAKE. THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED AND RPM DIAL LIT UP AND ENGINE WAS REVVING ONCE START STOP WAS DEACTIVATED. CAR HAD TO BE PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. STARTED AGAIN TO MOVE. CLOCK CHANGED TIME ON ITS OWN. INTERIOR READING LIGHTS CAME ON SPONTANEOUSLY NUMEROUS TIMES. CAR WE T TO SERVICE AT DEALER AND WAS TOLD SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR START STOP. GOING BACK IN NOW FOR ENGINE REACTION TO START STOP DEACTIVATION, CLOCK, LIGHTS. STILL NO SOFTWARE UPDATE AVAILABLE. BOUGHT CAR NEW MARCH 2020. ALL EVENTS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING OR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. ALL HAPPENED ON STREETS BOTH DRIVING STRAIGHT AND TURNING.

NHTSA ODI #11375280

1,000 miles · Oct 30, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

WHILE DRIVING ON ROADWAY YESTERDAY (10/29/2020) THE VEHICLES ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO SIDE OF ROAD AND RESTART. WENT HOME AND HAD CAR TOWED TO VALENTI AUDI, WHO DETERMINED THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE. NOT A R…

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WHILE DRIVING ON ROADWAY YESTERDAY (10/29/2020) THE VEHICLES ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO SIDE OF ROAD AND RESTART. WENT HOME AND HAD CAR TOWED TO VALENTI AUDI, WHO DETERMINED THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE. NOT A RECALL! RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND OTHERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS! TSB PRINTOUT IS IN VEHICLE AND WILL BE RETURNED TO ME AT SALISBURY CT. HOWEVER, NHTSA MUST ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11372375

100 miles · Aug 20, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

I BOUGHT MY 2020 Q3 SLINE PREMIUM ON AUGUST 15, 2020. THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED TWICE, FIRST ON AUGUST 17, 2020 AND SECOND ON AUGUST 20, 2020. IN BOTH CASES, THE ENGINE STOPPED AS SOON AS I STOPPED IN AUTO WITH MY PARKING BRAKES ENGAGED. THE DISPLAY SCREEN ALSO WENT DEAD/BLANK IN BOTH CASES. IN BOTH CASES I HAD TO RESTART BEFORE I…

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I BOUGHT MY 2020 Q3 SLINE PREMIUM ON AUGUST 15, 2020. THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED TWICE, FIRST ON AUGUST 17, 2020 AND SECOND ON AUGUST 20, 2020. IN BOTH CASES, THE ENGINE STOPPED AS SOON AS I STOPPED IN AUTO WITH MY PARKING BRAKES ENGAGED. THE DISPLAY SCREEN ALSO WENT DEAD/BLANK IN BOTH CASES. IN BOTH CASES I HAD TO RESTART BEFORE I CAN DRIVE. I ALSO NOTICE THAT WHEN STOPPED AND THE AUTO STOP ENGAGES THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN A CORNER FROM A RED LIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IDENTIFIES TAR ON THE ROAD AS LANES AND JERKS THE CAR AWAY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PULL THE STEERING BACK.

NHTSA ODI #11350468

6,000 miles · Jul 13, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE JERKS LIKE IT IS LOSING POWER. IT HAS DONE THIS ON BOTH THE INTERSTATE AND ON REGULAR ROADS IN MOTION. I HAVE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN FEAR THAT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL ON ME. ON SEVERAL INSTANCES I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS SHOW UP AND THEN IT WILL NOT AC…

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WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE JERKS LIKE IT IS LOSING POWER. IT HAS DONE THIS ON BOTH THE INTERSTATE AND ON REGULAR ROADS IN MOTION. I HAVE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN FEAR THAT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL ON ME. ON SEVERAL INSTANCES I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS SHOW UP AND THEN IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. THANKFULLY I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ROLL OFF OF THE ROAD EACH OF THESE TIMES. THERES NO WARNING OR ANY INDICATORS THAT COME UP PRIOR TO THE CAR COMPLETING DYING IN THE ROAD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERES SOFTWARE ISSUES BUT NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR IT UNTIL AN UPDATE COMES OUT. I WAS TOLD TO TURN OFF THE AUTO SHUT OFF FEATURE AND IT WILL WORK OK, BUT THAT HAS NOT HELPED. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT COULD COMPLETELY FAIL AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT WITHOUT NOTICE. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2020'S. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST MONTH 1/2

NHTSA ODI #11338999

2,000 miles · Jun 22, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

WE WERE SITTING ON A FREEWAY OFF RAMP AT A STOP. WHEN STARTING TO MOVE FROM A STOP, THE CAR SHUDDERED AND THE CONSOLE LIT UP AND WE WERE UNABLE TO MOVE FASTER THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS A MIRACLE WE WERE NOT REAR ENDED. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS RELATED T…

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WE WERE SITTING ON A FREEWAY OFF RAMP AT A STOP. WHEN STARTING TO MOVE FROM A STOP, THE CAR SHUDDERED AND THE CONSOLE LIT UP AND WE WERE UNABLE TO MOVE FASTER THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS A MIRACLE WE WERE NOT REAR ENDED. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS RELATED TO THE START/STOP FUNCTION AND IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT AUDI DOES NOT YET HAVE A FIX FOR. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND I REFUSE TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE CAR IS SITTING AT THE DEALER WHO TO DATE HAS DONE NOTHING. THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE START/STOP FUNCTION PRIOR TO THIS WHERE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD FROM A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP AND YOU COULD NOT STEER FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL THE CAR WOULD START TO MOVE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330119

1,500 miles · Jun 17, 2020
Engine

WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT OR STOPPED, THE ENGINE SURGES/JUMPS THE CAR FORWARD. YOU NEED TO LEAVE MORE SPACE TO NOT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU. THIS OCCURS IN BOTH CASES (EMISSIONS MODE AND NON EMISSIONS MODE). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329439

4,300 miles · Jun 10, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

MY LIFE WAS ALMOST TAKEN AWAY BY MY CARS ENGINE FAILING IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A 4-LANE ROAD WHERE TRAFFIC IS GOING 50 MPH. WHEN IT STALLED, THE ENGINE JUST QUIT LEAVING ONLY ELECTRICAL (LIGHTS & MEDIA) WORKING. I FELT I WAS TRAPPED AS A CAR WAS HEADED RIGHT FOR ME AND I COULD NOT EVEN INCREASE SPEED BECAUSE THE …

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MY LIFE WAS ALMOST TAKEN AWAY BY MY CARS ENGINE FAILING IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A 4-LANE ROAD WHERE TRAFFIC IS GOING 50 MPH. WHEN IT STALLED, THE ENGINE JUST QUIT LEAVING ONLY ELECTRICAL (LIGHTS & MEDIA) WORKING. I FELT I WAS TRAPPED AS A CAR WAS HEADED RIGHT FOR ME AND I COULD NOT EVEN INCREASE SPEED BECAUSE THE WHOLE CAR JUST SEEM TO NOT MOVE FORWARD. I EVENTUALLY PULLED INTO A MEDIAN, BUT NONETHELESS I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. MUCH LIKE THE PERSON WHO ALSO REPORTED THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328094

1,700 miles · Jun 3, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I LEASED MY AUDI Q3 2020 ON 04/30/2020. THE MAIN ISSUE HAPPENED RECENTLY WHERE I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY BOULEVARD DOING ABOUT 50MPH AND THE ENGINE STALLED LEAVING ONLY THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WORKING. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON BUT HAD ONCOMING TRAFFIC DOING AT LEAST 60-70MPH. I FELT IN DANGE…

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I LEASED MY AUDI Q3 2020 ON 04/30/2020. THE MAIN ISSUE HAPPENED RECENTLY WHERE I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY BOULEVARD DOING ABOUT 50MPH AND THE ENGINE STALLED LEAVING ONLY THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WORKING. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON BUT HAD ONCOMING TRAFFIC DOING AT LEAST 60-70MPH. I FELT IN DANGER AND THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A GRAVE ACCIDENT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO AUDI WHO SAYS IT'S IN NEED OF A SOFTWARE UPDATE, THEY DO NOW KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE BUT WOULD BE IN THE 3RD QUARTER OF 2020. THEY WILL CALL ME TO BEING MY CAR BACK IN FOR THE UPDATE WHEN AVAILABLE. THEY DEEMED IT SAFE TO DRIVE, DID NOT OFFER A COURTESY VEHICLE OR RENTAL. I EXPLAINED I DO NOT FEEL SAFE AND EVEN MADE A REPORT TO AUDI OF AMERICA WITHOUT ANY HELP. I HAVE A 1 MONTH OLD CAR THAT I FEEL IS GOING TO PUT MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF PEOPLE AROUND ME IN DANGER IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. THEY DID NOT LEAVE ME WITH ANY CHOICE OTHER THAN TO TAKE THE CAR BACK BECAUSE I NEED TO GET TO AND FROM WORK. I EXPLAINED THAT SHOULD THE CAR BE DAMAGED, I BE INJURED OR WORSE THAT THEY ARE LIABLE GIVEN THAT I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED. I SEE THIS REPORT HAS BEEN MADE MULTIPLE TIMES AND I CAN SAY THIS IS A VERY SCARY SITUATION TO HAPPEN AT FULL SPEED WITH MANY CARS AROUND YOU. I HAVE ALSO HAD MULTIPLE ALERTS SAYING DRIVER ASSISTANCE MALFUNCTION. I ALSO NOTICE THAT WHEN STOPPED AND THE AUTO STOP ENGAGES THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN A CORNER FROM A RED LIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IDENTIFIES TAR ON THE ROAD AS LANES AND JERKS THE CAR AWAY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PULL THE STEERING BACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327179

2,070 miles · Feb 25, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

THE VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO REASON WHILE BEING DRIVEN. AUDI HAS ADVISED US THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT IS A SOFTWARE ISSUE BUT THE SOFTWARE IS NOT AVAILABLE YET. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD YESTERDAY AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 5 WEEKS WHEN IT WAS FIRST PURCHAS…

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THE VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO REASON WHILE BEING DRIVEN. AUDI HAS ADVISED US THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT IS A SOFTWARE ISSUE BUT THE SOFTWARE IS NOT AVAILABLE YET. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD YESTERDAY AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 5 WEEKS WHEN IT WAS FIRST PURCHASED DUE TO MULTIPLE ELECTRIC MALFUNCTIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11311430

310 miles · Feb 3, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASED MY 2020 Q3 ON DEC 31 2019. WITHIN 2 WEEKS MY CAR STOPPED AT THE SIGNAL LIGHT WITH A MALFUNCTION OF AUTO STOP/START ISSUE AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. I HAD TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY MENTIONED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2020 Q3 AND THE SOFTWARE TO FIX THE AUTO STOP/START FUNCTION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTILL E…

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I PURCHASED MY 2020 Q3 ON DEC 31 2019. WITHIN 2 WEEKS MY CAR STOPPED AT THE SIGNAL LIGHT WITH A MALFUNCTION OF AUTO STOP/START ISSUE AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. I HAD TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY MENTIONED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2020 Q3 AND THE SOFTWARE TO FIX THE AUTO STOP/START FUNCTION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTILL END OF 1ST QUARTER. NOW I AM SEEING THE GAS CONSUMPTION HIGH AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT DRIVE AS BEFORE.

NHTSA ODI #11306882

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.