2015 Audi Q3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2015 Audi Q3 has a complaint index of 45, ranking 7th out of 12 model years, with a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 23 complaints and 2 recalls, with Engine problems the top concern at 39% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #7 of 12 Q3 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 23
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2015 Audi Q3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine9 (39%)
- Fuel System5 (22%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (17%)
- Airbags3 (13%)
- Electrical System3 (13%)
- Other3 (13%)
- Steering2 (9%)
- Structure & Body2 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (9%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the sunroof continuing to close even after the vehicle is turned off.
- Some describe complete loss of power steering in cold weather, making the car very hard to steer.
- Owners report timing chain failure symptoms around 51,000 miles similar to those addressed by an earlier model recall.
- Several describe electrical faults such as tail lights failing after liftgate use or steering wheel buttons and horn no longer working due to a ground wire issue.
- Some report door handles or locking mechanisms failing, including a passenger door that could not be opened from inside or outside.
- One owner described the rear end fishtailing unexpectedly while driving, requiring corrective steering.
2015 Audi Q3 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V642000Sep 6, 2016Electrical System79,895 vehicles
Electrical system:software
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. 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."
Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
- NHTSA 15V200000Apr 3, 2015Visibility & Wipers3,646 vehicles
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Audi Q3 vehicles manufactured April 4, 2014, to November 5, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off while the sunroof is closing, the sunroof may continue to close instead of stopping. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
Risk: If the sunroof is closing while the vehicle is shut off and a vehicle occupant is in its path, there is an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the sunroof control module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60C1.
2015 Audi Q3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other Q3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Audi Q3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 Audi Q3 has a complaint index of 45 and ranks 7th out of 12 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Q3 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Audi Q3?
- NHTSA complaints show Engine issues as the top problem area, making up 39% of complaints, followed by Fuel System at 22% and Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 17%.
- Does the 2015 Audi Q3 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2015 Audi Q3: one for a sunroof control module software issue and one involving the electrical system, neither marked do-not-drive.
- At what mileage do problems typically show up on the 2015 Q3?
- The median mileage at failure across complaints is 51,000 miles, though Fuel System and Airbag issues tended to appear later, around 80,000 miles.
- How does the 2015 Q3 compare to other Audi Q3 years?
- The 2015 Q3's complaint index of 45 is lower than years like 2020 (100) and 2022 (82), which carry Avoid verdicts, but higher than 2017's index of 9, which earns a Best verdict.