What years of the Audi Q3 should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2020, 2022, and 2024 Audi Q3 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 82, and 91 respectively.

What is the best year for the Audi Q3?

The 2017 Audi Q3 is rated Best, with a complaint index of just 9 out of 233 total complaints across all 12 tracked model years. The 2015 and 2019 model years are rated Good.

What are the most common problems with the Audi Q3?

Across all model years, the top problem areas are the electrical system (29% of complaints), engine (26%), and fuel system (15%), based on 233 total NHTSA complaints.

Does the 2022 Audi Q3 have any recalls?

Yes, NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for the 2022 Audi Q3, including an infotainment main unit replacement, a rear window cracking defect, and a fuel tank vent pipe issue.

Is the 2020 Audi Q3 reliable?

The 2020 Audi Q3 has the highest complaint index (100) of any Q3 model year, with electrical system failures reported at a median of just 1,700 miles, so it is rated Avoid relative to other Q3 years.

Audi Q3 Best and Worst Years (2008–2025)

Avoid the 2020, 2022, and 2024 Audi Q3 — they carry the highest complaint indexes (100, 82, and 91) out of 12 model years tracked. The 2017 is the Best year with a complaint index of just 9, while 2015 and 2019 are rated Good.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2020 Avoid 2022 Avoid 2024 Best 2017

Model years: 12; 2008–2025
NHTSA complaints: 233
Recall campaigns: 18
Crashes reported: 8
Fires reported: 2
Top problem area: Electrical System

Q3 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Audi Q3 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2008	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Airbags	—	—
2015	Good	45	23	0	0	2	Engine	23	—
2016	Caution	64	28	1	1	3	Electrical System	23	—
2017	Best	9	8	0	0	3	Airbags	23	—
2018	Caution	55	26	0	0	1	Engine	23	—
2019	Good	27	10	0	0	4	Electrical System	22	5★
2020	Avoid	100	65	2	0	3	Electrical System	22	5★
2021	Caution	73	15	2	0	3	Fuel System	24	5★
2022	Avoid	82	33	1	0	5	Collision Avoidance & Cameras	25	—
2023	No verdict	18	2	0	1	1	Engine	24.5	—
2024	Avoid	91	18	2	0	2	Electrical System	24	5★
2025	No verdict	36	4	0	0	1	Electrical System	24	5★

Q3 years to avoid: what went wrong

2020 Audi Q3 Index 100 · 65 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2020 Q3 has the highest complaint index (100) and the most complaints of any year (65). Electrical system issues make up 37% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of just 1,700 miles, and engine problems account for 35% at a median of 2,000 miles. Owners describe sudden stalling, dashboard lights blinking, and steering wheels locking during the auto start-stop function. Fuel system complaints (15%) describe misfiring and unexpected shutoffs. NHTSA lists three recalls for this year, covering steering, brakes, and structure/body concerns.

2020 electrical system problems →2020 engine problems →

2024 Audi Q3 Index 91 · 18 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2024 Q3 has a complaint index of 91 from 18 complaints. Electrical system problems are the top issue (33%), with a median failure mileage of only 569 miles, including vehicles restarting on their own and doors locking or unlocking unexpectedly. Brake problems account for 28% of complaints, with owners describing grinding noises. Collision avoidance complaints (11%) occurred at a median of 5,000 miles. NHTSA lists two recalls, one for a rearview camera software error and one for airbag occupant detection.

2022 Audi Q3 Index 82 · 33 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2022 Q3 has a complaint index of 82 with 33 total complaints. Collision avoidance and camera issues are the top problem area (33%), with a median failure mileage of 9,700, including backup cameras going black and front collision-warning systems failing to detect obstacles. Electrical system problems (30%) and fuel system issues (27%) follow. NHTSA lists five recalls for this year, including an infotainment unit replacement, a rear window cracking issue, and a fuel tank vent pipe defect.

Most common Audi Q3 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System68 (29%)
Engine61 (26%)
Other51 (22%)
Fuel System36 (15%)
Steering20 (9%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras17 (7%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (7%)
Airbags16 (7%)
Brakes14 (6%)
Structure & Body14 (6%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Audi Q3 should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2020, 2022, and 2024 Audi Q3 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 82, and 91 respectively.
What is the best year for the Audi Q3?: The 2017 Audi Q3 is rated Best, with a complaint index of just 9 out of 233 total complaints across all 12 tracked model years. The 2015 and 2019 model years are rated Good.
What are the most common problems with the Audi Q3?: Across all model years, the top problem areas are the electrical system (29% of complaints), engine (26%), and fuel system (15%), based on 233 total NHTSA complaints.
Does the 2022 Audi Q3 have any recalls?: Yes, NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for the 2022 Audi Q3, including an infotainment main unit replacement, a rear window cracking defect, and a fuel tank vent pipe issue.
Is the 2020 Audi Q3 reliable?: The 2020 Audi Q3 has the highest complaint index (100) of any Q3 model year, with electrical system failures reported at a median of just 1,700 miles, so it is rated Avoid relative to other Q3 years.