2021 Audi Q3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Audi Q3 has a complaint index of 73, ranking 4th worst out of 12 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has 15 complaints, 3 recalls, and its top problem area is the fuel system, accounting for 33% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #4 of 12 Q3 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 15
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2021 Audi Q3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System5 (33%)
- Electrical System3 (20%)
- Engine3 (20%)
- Other2 (13%)
- Seat Belts2 (13%)
- Structure & Body2 (13%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (7%)
- Lane Departure1 (7%)
- Steering1 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Fuel gauge shows fuel remaining while the tank is actually empty, causing the car to stall unexpectedly.
- Owners describe a recurring fuel system defect tied to a suction jet pump recall, with difficulty refueling and fuel leaking while driving or parked.
- Rear and front seat belts and seats reportedly malfunctioned during a rear-end collision, with seats reclining and breaking on impact.
- Steering and brakes reportedly failed simultaneously while driving, causing the vehicle to veer off the road.
- Driver door popped open on its own while merging onto a highway due to an incomplete two-step locking process.
- Child safety lock reportedly malfunctioned repeatedly, preventing rear passengers from opening doors from inside even after a software update.
2021 Audi Q3 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V590000Sep 11, 2026Steering208,724 vehicles
Steering
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
Risk: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 22V673000Sep 8, 2022Fuel System13,004 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Audi Q3 vehicles. The vent pipe within the fuel tank may have been damaged during fuel tank assembly.
Risk: A damaged vent pipe may allow fuel to spill out of the filler neck when the fuel cap is opened, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the internal vent pipe for damage and replace the charcoal canister and the fuel tank, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20DS.
- NHTSA 21V606000Aug 5, 2021Seat Belts45,496 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other:retractor
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
2021 Audi Q3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2021 compared with other Q3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Audi Q3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Q3 carries a complaint index of 73 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst among 12 model years of the Q3.
- What problems does the 2021 Audi Q3 have?
- The top reported problem area is the fuel system, making up 33% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 67,000 miles. Electrical system and engine issues each account for 20% of complaints.
- Does the 2021 Audi Q3 have a fuel system recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 22V673000 covers 2021-2022 Audi Q3 vehicles where the fuel tank vent pipe may have been damaged during assembly, requiring inspection and possible replacement of the charcoal canister and fuel tank.
- Are there other recalls on the 2021 Audi Q3?
- Yes, two more: a steering rack mounting bolt recall (26V590000) shared with 2019-2021 Q3 models, and a seat belt assembly recall (21V606000) covering several 2021 Volkswagen Group vehicles including the Q3.
- How does the 2021 Q3 compare to other Q3 years?
- The 2021 Q3's complaint index of 73 is worse than the 2017 Q3 (index 9, Best) and 2019 Q3 (index 27, Good), but better than 2020 (100, Avoid) and 2022 (82, Avoid).