2016 Audi Q3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#5 most-complained of 11 Q3 years
The 2016 Audi Q3 has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 5th worst among 11 model years, with a "Caution" verdict. NHTSA lists 28 complaints, 3 recalls, 1 crash, and 1 fire, led by electrical system problems (39% of complaints).
- Complaints
- 28
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
Top 2016 Audi Q3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System11 (39%)
- Engine7 (25%)
- Airbags3 (11%)
- Fuel System3 (11%)
- Other3 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (11%)
- Steering2 (7%)
- Structure & Body2 (7%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Seat Belts1 (4%)
What owners report
- Backup camera and alarm system reportedly failed to activate in time, leading to a low-speed collision.
- Owners describe smoke and fire coming from behind the dashboard MMI screen while driving.
- Driver side window reportedly recessed into the door panel and then reset itself up and down without input.
- Electrical system failures left the vehicle unable to start, requiring battery replacement more than once.
- Owners report the engine stalling and decelerating unexpectedly in traffic, with the check engine light illuminating.
- A rear tire reportedly blew out at highway speed without warning, causing the vehicle to fishtail.
2016 Audi Q3 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V385000May 23, 2019Electrical System23,241 vehicles
Exterior lighting:turn signal
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Audi Q3 vehicles equipped with LED headlights. An inoperable front turn signal may not illuminate an indicator, failing to alert the driver to the issue. 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: Without an indicator informing the driver of an inoperable turn signal, the driver may turn or change lanes without a signal, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module (BCM), free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97DK.
- NHTSA 17V400000Jun 26, 2017Collision Avoidance & Cameras24,754 vehicles
Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Audi Q3 vehicles. If the parking brake is used during emergency braking, the brake lights on the vehicle will not activate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: A vehicle approaching from behind may not have any warning that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 45G6.
- 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.
2016 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.
2016 compared with other Q3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Audi Q3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Q3 carries a Complaint Index of 60 and a "Caution" verdict, ranking 5th worst of 11 model years for the Q3.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi Q3?
- Electrical system issues make up 39% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 25%. Airbags, fuel system, and suspension issues each account for 11% of complaints.
- Does the 2016 Audi Q3 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Q3: one for LED headlight turn signals, one for brake lights not activating when the parking brake is used during emergency braking, and one for a software issue shared with several other Audi/VW models.
- How does the 2016 Q3 compare to other Q3 years?
- The 2016 Q3's Complaint Index of 60 is worse than the 2015 (40), 2017 (0), and 2019 (10) model years, but better than the 2020 (90), 2022 (80), and 2024 (100) model years.