2017 Audi Q3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
0/100
#11 most-complained of 11 Q3 years
The 2017 Audi Q3 ranks as the Best year among 11 model years, with 8 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 0, and 3 recalls. Airbags and Engine are the top-cited problem areas, each with 2 complaints.
- Complaints
- 8
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
Top 2017 Audi Q3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags2 (25%)
- Engine2 (25%)
- Other2 (25%)
- Steering1 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (13%)
What owners report
- Owners report the steering wheel clockspring failing, causing the horn and airbag functions to stop working, with median mileage at failure around 38,000 miles.
- Some drivers had to disconnect the clockspring fuse after the horn activated on its own while reversing.
- Owners describe clicking noises from the steering wheel when turning, linked to the same clockspring issue.
- Engine complaints describe pistons or piston rings causing excessive oil consumption, triggering EPC, check engine, and low oil pressure warnings.
- One owner reported both front coil springs broken during a state inspection at close to 60,000 miles.
2017 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.
2017 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.
2017 compared with other Q3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Audi Q3 reliable?
- Among 11 model years of the Audi Q3, 2017 has the best complaint record, with only 8 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 0, ranking it as the Best year.
- What are the main problems with the 2017 Audi Q3?
- NHTSA data shows Airbags and Engine as the top problem areas, each accounting for 25% of complaints, followed by Steering and Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 13% each.
- Does the 2017 Audi Q3 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 Audi Q3, covering the electrical system (headlight turn signal software), collision avoidance and cameras (brake light activation), and another electrical system software update shared with several other Audi models.
- Which Audi Q3 model years should be avoided?
- Based on NHTSA complaint index scores, 2020, 2022, and 2024 are listed as Avoid years, while 2017 and 2019 rank as Best.
- At what mileage do 2017 Audi Q3 airbag problems occur?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 38,000 miles for airbag-related issues in the 2017 Audi Q3.