2016 Audi Q3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Audi Q3 has a complaint index of 64 and ranks 5th worst out of 12 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical system issues drive 39% of complaints, with 3 recalls including headlight and brake-light software fixes.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 64/100
- #5 of 12 Q3 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 28
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2016 Audi Q3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Backup camera and alarm system fail to activate in time, leading to low-speed collisions.
- Owners report smoke or a burning smell from behind the dashboard MMI screen, with one fire reported around 77,000 miles.
- Driver-side window drops into the door panel and resets itself without input.
- The electrical system fails suddenly, draining the battery and requiring repeated jump-starts and battery replacements.
- The engine loses power and decelerates unexpectedly in traffic, sometimes with the check engine light on and a fuel system diagnosis.
- A rear tire blows out at highway speed without apparent cause, causing loss of control.
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 has a complaint index of 64 and ranks 5th worst among 12 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical system problems make up 39% of its complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi Q3?
- Electrical system issues lead with 11 complaints (39% share), followed by engine problems at 7 complaints (25%). Median mileage at failure for electrical issues is 40,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Audi Q3 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Q3, covering LED headlight turn signals, brake lights not activating with the parking brake, and a software correction shared with other 2016-2017 Audi and Volkswagen Group models. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Q3 compare to other Q3 years?
- The 2016 Q3's complaint index of 64 is worse than 2015 (45, Good), 2017 (9, Best), and 2019 (27, Good), but better than 2020 (100, Avoid) and 2022 (82, Avoid).
- What year Audi Q3 should I avoid?
- Among Q3 years, 2020, 2022, and 2024 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 100, 82, and 91. The 2016 Q3 sits lower risk than those but still rates Caution.