NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
64 reports9,900 miles · Mar 21, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System
I PURCHASED MY AUDI 2020 Q3 IN NOVEMBER 2019. SINCE THE PURCHASE, ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE CAR HAS FAILED TO ACCELERATE UNDER VERY SPECIFIC SPEED CONDITIONS. IN EACH CASE, THE VEHICLE HAD SLOWED EITHER DUE TO A SHARP CURVE WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY OR FOR A SLOWER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY.…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED MY AUDI 2020 Q3 IN NOVEMBER 2019. SINCE THE PURCHASE, ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE CAR HAS FAILED TO ACCELERATE UNDER VERY SPECIFIC SPEED CONDITIONS. IN EACH CASE, THE VEHICLE HAD SLOWED EITHER DUE TO A SHARP CURVE WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY OR FOR A SLOWER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY. WHEN TIME CAME TO ACCELERATE TO MATCH THE SPEED OF THE FREEWAY TRAFFIC, ADDING POWER WAS FUTILE. DRIFTING ON TO A FREEWAY AT 20 MILES PER HOUR AND DECELERATING; WHILE FREEWAY TRAFFIC IS MOVING AT 70 TO 80 MPH (CALIFORNIA) IS UNNERVING AT BEST AND CERTAINLY, POTENTIAL DEADLY. AUDI CALLS THE THE PROBLEM "LIMP MODE". AUDI OF AMERICA, INC. ISSUED EMISSIONS SERVICE ACTION 96H5 - ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SOFTWARE WHICH CLEVERLY DANCES AROUND THE REAL THREAT WHICH IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. IN MARCH 2021, WHEN 96H5 CAME AVAILABLE IT WAS INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE. THE NEXT WEEK I TOOK A ROAD TRIP OF SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES. UNFORTUNATELY, THE THIRD " ENGINE LIMP MODE" OCCURRENCE HAPPENED NEARLY RESULTING IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. NHTSA NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. THE CURRENT SOFTWARE FIX IS NOT A FIX. PEOPLE WILL EVENTUALLY DIE.
NHTSA ODI #11404126
10,000 miles · Mar 12, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
ON FOUR OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ABLE TO BE TURNED. THIS PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM MOVING THE VEHICLE FORWARD AND STEERING OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE PROBLEM RESOLVES WITH THIS RESET. THE INTERVA…
Read full complaint
ON FOUR OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ABLE TO BE TURNED. THIS PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM MOVING THE VEHICLE FORWARD AND STEERING OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE PROBLEM RESOLVES WITH THIS RESET. THE INTERVALS BETWEEN THESE EPISODES HAVE BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS. THERE ARE NO SPECIFICALLY COMMON VARIABLES, OTHER THAN A LOWER SPEED - START/STOP AS IN WAITING TO CROSS A LINE OF TRAFFIC OR PROCEEDING THROUGH A STOP SIGN. I HAVE TAKEN THE Q3 TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES NOW AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE IS THE FIX. RECENTLY THE CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A VIBRATING NOISE WHEN COASTING, AND IT LOST POWER IN AN INTERSECTION ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND EVEN ACTIVATED THE PARKING BRAKE. WE ALWAYS DISABLE THE CAR'S AUTO START-STOP FEATURE, AS WE SUSPECTED THAT TO BE INVOLVED, BUT THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE. WE FEEL THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND THE AUDI DEALER SEEMS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. OUR FIRST AUDI PURCHASE, WE HAD ONE OF THE FIRST 2020 Q3 TO ARRIVE IN THE US AND FOUR SHUT-OFF INCIDENTS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN OCT 2019. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN ANTICIPATED DUE TO COVID, REMOTE SCHOOL/WORK AND NO TRAVEL. PERHAPS MORE FREQUENT DRIVING WOULD HAVE ACCELERATED THE CLAIM PROCESS FOR US. IRONICALLY, WE CHOSE THE CAR FOR ITS SAFETY FEATURES PRIMARILY FOR OUR TEEN/YOUNG ADULT DRIVERS. THE CAR HAS SHUT DOWN FOR THREE DRIVERS, TWICE FOR OUR TEEN AND ONCE FOR EACH OF THE PARENTS, SO WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS AS DESCRIBED AND PERSISTS DESPITE ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT. EACH TIME WE FELT IT WAS RESOLVED DUE TO A LONG INTERVAL BETWEEN INCIDENTS, BUT TODAY WAS MORE FRIGHTENING THAN OTHERS DUE TO THE INTERSECTION WHERE IT OCCURRED. THIS COULD CAUSE A CRITICAL ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11402696
10,000 miles · Mar 11, 2021
EngineService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 AUDI Q3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK HOWEVER, WAS JERKING. THE BRAKING SYSTEM MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CALLED AUDI ROCHESTER HILLS (45441 DEQUIND…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 AUDI Q3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK HOWEVER, WAS JERKING. THE BRAKING SYSTEM MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CALLED AUDI ROCHESTER HILLS (45441 DEQUINDRE RD, ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48307, (248) 997-7400) AND WAS INFORMED THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA ODI #11400331
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, DRIVING 30 MILES AN HOUR, HAD NO POWER OR STEERING . DEALER 'NEVER HEARD OF IT' BUT HAD A RECALL SOFTWARE UPDATE I HAD NOT BEEN TOLD ABOUT FOR THE 'ENGINE CONTROL UNIT''SOFTWARE EA888 BOSCH AND CONTINENTAL. AND 'INTERNAL CONTROL MODULE PERFORMANCE CAUSED LOST POWER TO VEHICLE ' ALSO CLOCK SETS TO MIDNI…
Read full complaint
CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, DRIVING 30 MILES AN HOUR, HAD NO POWER OR STEERING . DEALER 'NEVER HEARD OF IT' BUT HAD A RECALL SOFTWARE UPDATE I HAD NOT BEEN TOLD ABOUT FOR THE 'ENGINE CONTROL UNIT''SOFTWARE EA888 BOSCH AND CONTINENTAL. AND 'INTERNAL CONTROL MODULE PERFORMANCE CAUSED LOST POWER TO VEHICLE ' ALSO CLOCK SETS TO MIDNIGHT AND THEY DON'T HAVE A FIX FOR IT
NHTSA ODI #11399950
682 miles · Feb 13, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other
AFTER STOPPING AT A SIGN ON A BUSY ROAD, THE ENGINE FULLY SHUT DOWN AFTER A SECOND OR TWO OF ACCELERATION. A WARNING CAME ON THE DASH TO PULL CAR OVER AND CALL DEALER. THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, BUT I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD. AFTER THINKING ABOUT THE SITUATION FOR A FEW MINUTES, I STARTED UP THE CAR AGAIN SINCE I …
Read full complaint
AFTER STOPPING AT A SIGN ON A BUSY ROAD, THE ENGINE FULLY SHUT DOWN AFTER A SECOND OR TWO OF ACCELERATION. A WARNING CAME ON THE DASH TO PULL CAR OVER AND CALL DEALER. THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, BUT I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD. AFTER THINKING ABOUT THE SITUATION FOR A FEW MINUTES, I STARTED UP THE CAR AGAIN SINCE I WAS IN A PRECARIOUS LOCATION. I DROVE IT ANOTHER TEN MILES TO MY DESTINATION WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. AFTER REACHING MY DESTINATION, I CALLED AUDI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK (IT TOOK JUST UNDER FOUR HOURS TO ARRIVE). THEY THEN TOWED CAR TO ELK GROVE AUDI, WHICH IS WHEN I LEARNED THAT AUDI KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS NOT UPDATING THE SOFTWARE UNTIL PROBLEMS DEVELOPED IN THE CARS. I FEEL THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THE STALLED ENGINE DID NOT HAPPEN ON HIGHWAY OR THAT I DID NOT HAVE ANY PASSENGERS IN CAR. THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. AFTER CONTACTING AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE A FEW DAYS LATER, THEY ('MARIA' ON MESSAGE LINE) SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE ISSUE AND CONTACT ME BY FRIDAY FEB 12. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM AUDI.
NHTSA ODI #11396083
5,004 miles · Feb 9, 2021
Unknown Or Other
TRUCK READS FAINT OR OLD LANES ON THE ROAD & WILL OFTEN JERK THE TRUCK OVER TO THE OLD LANE VS THE ACTUAL LANE THAT IS BEING DRIVEN. WHEN YOU TRY TO TAKE CONTROL ITS REALLY HARD AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. RECENTLY THE SENSORS FOR FORWARD COLLISION CAN SENSE PEDESTRIANS WALKING AHEAD OF THE TRUCK A FEW FEET AWAY & WILL ENGAG…
Read full complaint
TRUCK READS FAINT OR OLD LANES ON THE ROAD & WILL OFTEN JERK THE TRUCK OVER TO THE OLD LANE VS THE ACTUAL LANE THAT IS BEING DRIVEN. WHEN YOU TRY TO TAKE CONTROL ITS REALLY HARD AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. RECENTLY THE SENSORS FOR FORWARD COLLISION CAN SENSE PEDESTRIANS WALKING AHEAD OF THE TRUCK A FEW FEET AWAY & WILL ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BREAKS AS IF WERE GOING TO HIT THE PEDESTRIANS WHO AREN'T EVEN CLOSE TO US. THE BREAKS UPON RELEASE FROM A LIGHT OR BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY MAKES A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE. AUDI SAID ITS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TRUCK! TODAY WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK SEEMED TO BE SHAKING A LITTLE & REDUCING SPEED. WHEN I PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPACE THE TRUCK WAS STILL SHAKING. AN ALERT LIT UP THE DASH BOARD "DRIVE SYSTEM: MALFUNCTION! PLEASE CONTACT SERVICE. THE TACHOMETER WAS FULLY RED 1-8 VS 7-8. I TRIED TO GIVE THE TRUCK A LITTLE GAS TO STOP THE SHAKING, BUT THAT DID WORK. I SHUT THE TRUCK OFF WAITED & TURN IT BACK ON THE MESSAGE WAS CLEARED. I WAS SCARED TO DRIVE IT, BUT TOOK THE TRUCK TO AUDI WHERE IT IS BEING LOOKED AT. AUTO START/ STOP LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL UPON RESTARTING & HAS TAKEN OFF EXTREMELY FAST IN A JERKING MOTION WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS WAS SAID TO BE ANOTHER CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TRUCK. IT SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF DANGEROUS CHARACTERISTICS WITH THIS TRUCK THAT ARE NOT MENTION BEFORE LEASING. MY PREVIOUS A4 HAD SIMILAR FEATURES & THESE ISSUES NEVER OCCURRED. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THIS TRUCK ITS BRAND NEW 2020 WITH 5K MILES & IT SEEMS TO BE ISSUE AFTER ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11395337
4,000 miles · Feb 6, 2021
Unknown Or Other
THE CLOCK TIME AND DATE KEEP RESETTING
NHTSA ODI #11394933
25 miles · Feb 1, 2021
Air BagsVehicle Speed Control
IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IF PASSENGER SITS ON A CUSHION (MY WIFE HAS HIP PROBLEM) OR BLANKET ETC IT TURNS OFF PASSENGER AIRBAG. REPORTED NUMEROUS TIME TO DEALER AND THEIR RESPONSE IS AUDI DESIGNED IT THAT WAY. EASILY REPLICATED. NEXT, VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT PROVOCATION SUDDENLY ACCELERATES AT LOW SPEEDS'4-5MPH TO 9-10…
Read full complaint
IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IF PASSENGER SITS ON A CUSHION (MY WIFE HAS HIP PROBLEM) OR BLANKET ETC IT TURNS OFF PASSENGER AIRBAG. REPORTED NUMEROUS TIME TO DEALER AND THEIR RESPONSE IS AUDI DESIGNED IT THAT WAY. EASILY REPLICATED. NEXT, VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT PROVOCATION SUDDENLY ACCELERATES AT LOW SPEEDS'4-5MPH TO 9-10MPH. ITS UNNERVING ESPECIALLY IF CAR IN FRONT. AIRBAG IS ALL THE TIME EVERYWHERE. ACCELERATION IS GOING FROM STOP TO MOVING PARKING LOTS, STOP LIGHT, ETC. BOTH HAVE HAPPENED SINCE DELIVERY. REPORTED TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIME. NO ANSWER.
NHTSA ODI #11390991
1,545 miles · Jan 18, 2021
EngineLane DepartureVehicle Speed Control
ON JANUARY 16, 2020, I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET AND STARTED SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN. I HAD FORGOTTEN TO TURN OFF THE AUTO START/STOP SWITCH AS IS MY USUAL PRACTICE, SO I DEACTIVATED IT BEFORE STOPPING. WHEN I HIT THE SWITCH, I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE TELLING ME THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, THE ENGINE WARNIN…
Read full complaint
ON JANUARY 16, 2020, I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET AND STARTED SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN. I HAD FORGOTTEN TO TURN OFF THE AUTO START/STOP SWITCH AS IS MY USUAL PRACTICE, SO I DEACTIVATED IT BEFORE STOPPING. WHEN I HIT THE SWITCH, I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE TELLING ME THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE MOTOR STARTED SHUDDERING. AS I TRIED TO PULL AWAY FROM THE STOP SIGN, THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE MORE THAN 7 MPH. TOWED TO DEALER. THEY ARE TRYING TO TRACK THE FAULT. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LANE KEEPING DETECTION SYSTEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST, 2020. THE SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO COME ON AUTOMATICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. HALF THE TIME IT DOESN'T COME ON WHEN STARTED; OTHER TIMES, WHEN MAKING MULTIPLE STOPS DURING A DAY'S DRIVING, IT COMES ON AT RANDOM TIMES. SOME DAYS IT NEVER COMES ON. OTHER DAYS IT COMES ON EACH TIME. DEALER CAN'T FIND FAULT. TURNING IT ON MANUALLY DOESN'T GUARANTEE THAT IT'LL TURN ON THE NEXT TIME YOU START THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11388642
4,500 miles · Jan 10, 2021
Service Brakes
I BOUGHT MY 2020 AUDI Q# PREMIUM PLUS S LINE AS A CPO FROM AUDI OF NATICK IN NATICK MASS 0N 9/26/2020. IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 4500 MILES ON IT WHEN I TOOK DELIVERY OF IT. THE CAR MAKES AN UNUSUAL NOISE FROM THE REAR BRAKES WHENEVER I USE THEM. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND USUALLY ONLY HAPPENS WHEN BRAKE PADS ARE WORN TO THE POINT OF HAV…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT MY 2020 AUDI Q# PREMIUM PLUS S LINE AS A CPO FROM AUDI OF NATICK IN NATICK MASS 0N 9/26/2020. IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 4500 MILES ON IT WHEN I TOOK DELIVERY OF IT. THE CAR MAKES AN UNUSUAL NOISE FROM THE REAR BRAKES WHENEVER I USE THEM. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND USUALLY ONLY HAPPENS WHEN BRAKE PADS ARE WORN TO THE POINT OF HAVING LITTLE TO NO BRAKING MATERIAL LEFT. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER BEFORE I TOOK DELIVERY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. IVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 45 YEARS AND KNOW THAT THIS IS ANYTHING BUT NORMAL. I DROVE A NUMBER OF 2020 Q3'S AND THEY ALL DID IT. I ALSO DROVE ONE 2019 Q3 AND IT DID NOT DO IT. I KNOW THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL COMPLAINT AMONG THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES AND WANT AUDI TO RECTIFY IT.
NHTSA ODI #11387372
Official recalls
3Sep 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.
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.
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 ↗