The most-documented Audi Q3 problems are steering-rack mounting bolt recall 26V590 on 2019–2021 models, lighting software recalls 16V642 and 19V385 on the first generation, fuel tank vent pipe recall 22V673 on 2021–2022 models, rear camera recall 25V082 on 2024–2025 models and a 2.0 TFSI coolant pump bulletin.
CarWhere lists 8 documented Q3 issues, including 7 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.
Q3 generations at a glance
Audi Q3 generations and the known issues listed for each
Side marker lights inoperative after a software update (recall 16V642) (2015–2017)
Safety recall
Generation:
8U (2015–2018)
Years:
2015–2017
Powertrain:
All
Some 2015–2017 Q3s (along with other Audis) may have received software that makes the side marker lights stop working with the parking lights or headlights, which fails federal lighting standard FMVSS 108. Dealers reload corrected software.
Symptoms
Side marker lights do not come on with the headlights
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Walk around the car with the headlights on and confirm the side markers light
No warning when an LED front turn signal fails (recall 19V385) (2016–2018)
Safety recall
Generation:
8U (2015–2018)
Years:
2016–2018
Powertrain:
All (LED headlights)
On 2016–2018 Q3s with LED headlights, an inoperable front turn signal may not trigger a dash indicator, so the driver may not know the signal is out. Dealers update the body control module.
Symptoms
Front turn signal out with no dash warning
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Passenger airbag may not deploy through the dash seam (recall 20V273) (2019)
Safety recall
Generation:
F3 (2019–2025)
Years:
2019
Powertrain:
All
The passenger airbag on some 2019 Q3s may not deploy properly through the instrument panel tear seam, and small plastic parts may enter the cabin. Dealers inspect and replace the instrument panel if needed.
Symptoms
No symptoms before a crash
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Tire pressure monitor slow to detect four-tire loss (recall 22V815) (2019)
Safety recall
Generation:
F3 (2019–2025)
Years:
2019
Powertrain:
All
The tire pressure monitoring system on 2019 Q3s (and many VW Group models) may not detect a pressure loss quickly enough when all four tires deflate together, failing FMVSS 138. Dealers update the TPMS software.
Symptoms
No warning with all four tires low
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Check tire pressures with a gauge rather than relying on the warning
Steering rack mounting bolt can corrode and break (recall 26V590) (2019–2021)
Safety recall
Generation:
F3 (2019–2025)
Years:
2019–2021
Powertrain:
All
One of the bolts holding the steering rack to the subframe on 2019–2021 Q3s (and some VW Tiguan and Atlas) can corrode and break, which can crack the steering rack housing and cause a loss of steering control. Dealers replace the right-side mounting bolt; owner letters were due in November 2026.
Symptoms
Clunk from the front end over bumps
Steering feels loose or off-center
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Ask the dealer whether the replacement bolt is installed or parts are still pending
Damaged fuel tank vent pipe can spill fuel at the filler (recall 22V673) (2021–2022)
Safety recall
Generation:
F3 (2019–2025)
Years:
2021–2022
Powertrain:
All
The vent pipe inside the fuel tank of some 2021–2022 Q3s may have been damaged during assembly, so fuel can spill from the filler neck when the cap is opened. Dealers inspect the pipe and replace the charcoal canister and fuel tank if necessary.
Symptoms
Fuel spraying or dribbling from the filler neck when refueling
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Audi bulletin TSB 2071515 covers coolant loss traced to the coolant pump on 2.0 TFSI engines, listing 2020–2024 Q3 along with other 2.0 TFSI Audis. Audi tells technicians to pinpoint the leak first and rule out a low level caused by poor bleeding at the factory or after an earlier repair.
Symptoms
Coolant warning lamp
Coolant level dropping
Sweet coolant smell after driving
Check before buying
Check the coolant level cold
Ask for records of any coolant-pump replacement under TSB 2071515
Rear camera image may not display (recall 25V082) (2024–2025)
Safety recall
Generation:
F3 (2019–2025)
Years:
2024–2025
Powertrain:
All
An error in the camera control unit at start-up on 2024–2025 Q3s (and some VW Tiguan and Arteon) can stop the rearview camera image from displaying, failing FMVSS 111. Dealers update the camera software.
Symptoms
Blank or frozen rearview camera screen
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Select reverse on the test drive and confirm the camera image appears
Owners filed 242 complaints about the Audi Q3 with NHTSA for the model years below, the most for the 2020 model year (66). The components cited most often are electrical system, engine and unknown or other. Counts are raw filings, not rates: newer and higher-volume years naturally collect more, and a complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.
NHTSA owner complaints for the Audi Q3 by model year (all US body styles and S/RS variants, de-duplicated by NHTSA complaint number), as of November 2026
Model year
Complaints
Crash or fire reported
Injury reported
Safety-critical component
2026
6
0
0
1
2025
4
0
0
1
2024
18
2
2
9
2023
2
0
0
2
2022
34
1
1
15
2021
15
2
1
9
2020
66
3
0
39
2019
10
0
0
6
2018
26
0
0
10
2017
8
0
0
3
2016
29
2
0
14
2015
24
0
1
11
Most-cited components across these years: Electrical system (64) · Engine (56) · Unknown or other (49) · Fuel/propulsion system (34) · Steering (21) · Air bags (15). A complaint can name more than one component.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints database, queried by CarWhere for every NHTSA model name filed for this nameplate (AUDI Q3, Q3). “Safety-critical component” counts complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or death, or name the engine, power train, steering, service brakes or fuel system.
Related Q3 research
This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints relative to the rest of the model’s history is answered in the years-to-avoid research where CarWhere publishes it.
Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Audi build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.
The most-documented are recalls: steering-rack bolt 26V590 on 2019–2021 models, lighting software 16V642 and 19V385 on 2015–2018 models, fuel tank vent pipe 22V673 on 2021–2022 models and rear camera 25V082 on 2024–2025 models. Audi bulletin TSB 2071515 also covers 2.0 TFSI coolant pump leaks.
Is there a steering recall on the Audi Q3?
Yes. Recall 26V590 covers 2019–2021 Q3s because a steering-rack mounting bolt can corrode and break, which can crack the rack housing. Dealers replace the right-side bolt free of charge.
Does the Audi Q3 leak coolant?
Audi bulletin TSB 2071515 covers coolant pump leaks on 2020–2024 Q3s and other 2.0 TFSI Audis. It is a repair bulletin, not a recall, so it is covered only under warranty.
Which Audi Q3 years have rear camera recalls?
Recall 25V082 covers 2024–2025 Q3s whose rearview camera image may not display after start-up. Dealers update the camera control unit software.
How do I check a used Audi Q3 for open recalls?
Enter the 17-digit VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup or ask an Audi dealer to check it. Recall repairs are free regardless of mileage or owner.
Sources
Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by AUDI AG or Audi of America. Audi, quattro, TFSI, S tronic, e-tron and the model names are trademarks of their owners.