2018 Audi Q3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#6 most-complained of 11 Q3 years
The 2018 Audi Q3 has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 6th out of 11 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems lead complaints (7 of 26, 27%), with a median failure mileage of 42,000 miles, plus one recall for LED headlight turn signals.
- Complaints
- 26
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
Top 2018 Audi Q3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine7 (27%)
- Other7 (27%)
- Electrical System6 (23%)
- Airbags4 (15%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (12%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
- Steering1 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)
What owners report
- Engine stalls or loses power suddenly while driving at highway speeds, sometimes requiring towing.
- Vehicles burn through oil quickly between changes, with the oil pressure light cycling on and off despite dealer repairs.
- Backup cameras stop working when the transmission is shifted into reverse, sometimes disabling entirely while driving.
- Steering column makes a clicking or grinding noise before the airbag warning light comes on, tied to a failing clock spring module.
- Push-start vehicles fail to start even with a fresh key-fob battery, triggering a transmission control module communication error.
- Tires show low pressure warnings and humming noises from the rear, with caster alignment testing failing shortly after purchase.
2018 Audi Q3 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.
2018 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.
2018 compared with other Q3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Audi Q3 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Q3 a Complaint Index of 50, placing it 6th out of 11 model years with a Caution verdict. It has fewer complaints than the 2020, 2022, and 2024 model years but more than the 2017 and 2019 model years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi Q3?
- Engine issues make up 27% of complaints (7 of 26), with a median failure mileage of 42,000. Electrical system problems follow at 23% (6 complaints), with a median mileage of 103,000.
- Does the 2018 Audi Q3 have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (19V385000) covers 2016-2018 Q3 vehicles with LED headlights, where an inoperable front turn signal may fail to alert other drivers. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2018 Q3 compare to other Q3 years?
- The 2018 Q3's Complaint Index of 50 is worse than 2015 (40), 2017 (0), and 2019 (10), but better than 2016 (60), 2020 (90), 2022 (80), and 2024 (100), which carry Avoid verdicts.